How to Recover a Word Document I Forgot to Save

Search for the Document
1. Open the 'Start' menu and type the name of your document in the search dialog box and press the 'Enter' key.
2. Double-click the document to open it if it appears.
3. Type '.docx' in the search dialog box if you cannot find your file. All of your Microsoft Word files will be displayed. Search through this list of files to find your document, if it is available.
Search for Backup Copies
4. Open Microsoft Word, click on the File menu and select 'Open.'
5. Click 'All Files' in the 'Files of Type' list.
6. Search for files with '.wbk' near the end. These files are backup files that are created if you have the 'Always create backup copy' option turned on in Microsoft Word.
7. Open the backup copy of your document.
Search for AutoRecover Files
8. Open Microsoft Word, click the File menu, then click 'Recent.'
9. Click 'Recover Unsaved Documents.'
10. Locate the document that you forgot to save and double-click it to open it.