How to Get Back a Word Document Which Was Not Saved

Search for the Original Document
1. Click on the 'Start' menu or the Windows logo icon typically found on the corner of your taskbar.
2. Type the name of the document into the 'Start Search' box and click the magnifying glass icon or hit 'Enter.'
3. Select your file if you see it appear in the result box. If not, go back to the 'Start' menu and type in the entire file name, including the .doc or .docx extension, into the search box and click the magnifying glass icon or hit 'Enter.' If your file has not appeared you will have to look for a back up copy.
Locate the Backup Copy
4. Locate the folder you believe you saved your file in last. Search for documents that end with '.wbk.' If you think you found your document, open Microsoft Word. Go to the 'Microsoft Office Button' and click 'Open.'
5. Find the 'Files of Type' list and select 'All Files.'
6. Select the backup file you have found and open the document. If the document does not appear through this you may search for the .wbk files through the search box in the 'Start' menu.
Search for Auto Recover Files
7. Direct your cursor to your taskbar (this is where your program windows appear normally at the bottom of your screen). Right click 'Task Manager.'
8. Go to the 'Processes' tab and click on anything that appears as 'Winword.exe' or 'Word' and select 'End Process' as many times as needed until all instances of the word processing program are gone.
9. Open Microsoft Word. If successful, you will have a list of 'Auto Recovered' documents to choose from. It may appear with '[Original]' or '[Recovered]' next to the name of your file. Double click on the document.
10. Click the 'Disk' icon, go to the menu and select 'Save As' or hit 'Ctrl' and 'S.' Change the file location for the save if needed. You may have to manually change the document to a .doc or .docx from the auto-recovered version.
Search for Temporary Files
11. Click on 'Start.' Type '.tmp' into the 'Start Search' box. You can also search for files that begin with a '~' sign as these are also back up documents.
12. Find the 'Show Only' toolbar and select 'Other.'
13. Scroll through the files for around the time period you last edited your document or had it open. If you find a file you believe to be correct, select it. This is a damaged file that will likely need to be repaired before it can be opened.