File Corruption & Recovery

How to Clear the Document Recovery Pane in Word and Excel

Aamir Naveed Akram Oct 1, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to remove stuck Document Recovery files in Word or Excel and stop the recovery pane from continuously appearing upon launch.

How to Clear the Document Recovery Pane in Word and Excel

Product: Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Managing the application interface after a crash or unexpected shutdown leaves stuck recovery files.
Observed behavior: The Document Recovery pane keeps appearing every time Word or Excel is opened, displaying stubborn recovery files that do not clear automatically.

Before you start

Ensure you have saved or recovered any files you actually want to keep before proceeding, as clearing the recovery pane and temporary files will permanently delete these backup versions.

Solution 1Recommended

Restart Computer and Delete Temporary Files

Rebooting the system releases locked files, allowing you to delete the hidden temporary files that cause the recovery pane to remain stuck.

When Word or Excel crashes, temporary files are often left behind on your hard drive. The application detects these files upon launch and triggers the Document Recovery pane. Deleting them resolves the issue.

Restart your computer

Close all active applications, save your current work, and restart your computer to release any locked Microsoft Office files.

Enable hidden items in File Explorer

Open File Explorer, click on the 'View' tab at the top of the window, and check the box for 'Hidden items' so you can see hidden system files.

Locate and delete temp files

Navigate to the folder where your affected document was saved. Look for hidden files with names beginning with '~$'. Select these files, right-click, and choose 'Delete'.

Restart Computer and Delete Temporary Files

Cleanup Complete: Removing these corrupted temporary files usually stops the recovery pane from reopening automatically the next time you launch the application.

Solution 2

Manually Clear Files via the Recovery Pane

Use the built-in interface options within the Document Recovery pane to manually dismiss and remove the stuck files.

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1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download and install the free WPS Office suite on your device.
2. Access the Backup Center: Open WPS Office, click on the 'Menu' button, and select 'Backup and Recovery' to access your saved versions safely.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the Document Recovery pane keep showing up?

It usually appears because Word or Excel closed unexpectedly and temporary recovery files (often starting with ~$) are still present on your hard drive, prompting the software to attempt recovery upon every launch.

Can I recover my files after clearing the Document Recovery pane?

Once you clear the pane and delete the associated temporary files, those specific recovered versions are permanently gone. Always save any needed versions using the 'Save As' function before clearing the pane.

Where are Microsoft Office temporary files stored?

Temporary files are typically saved in the same directory as the original document or within the 'AppData/Local/Microsoft/Office/UnsavedFiles' folder on Windows, depending on your AutoRecover settings.

Document & File Issues