File Corruption & Recovery

How to Find AutoRecovery Files in Microsoft Word for Mac

Steve K Oct 1, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to locate AutoRecovery files in Microsoft Word for Mac to restore an unsaved or older version of a document.

How to Find AutoRecovery Files in Microsoft Word for Mac

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: macOS
Scenario: Recovering an unsaved or crashed document in Word for Mac.
Observed behavior: The Word document reopened an older version, and the latest changes are missing due to an unexpected closure or deleted temporary AutoRecovery files.

Before you start

Before proceeding, ensure you have not opened and deliberately saved over the older version of the document, as this can overwrite recovery data.

Solution 1Recommended

Locate the AutoRecovery Folder via Mac Finder

Navigate directly to the hidden AutoRecovery folder where Microsoft Word for Mac stores temporary files after a crash.

Microsoft Word for Mac saves temporary recovery files in a hidden Library directory. You will need to use the Option key in Finder to reveal and access this path.

Open Finder Go Menu

Click on the Finder icon in your dock, then click on the 'Go' menu at the top of your Mac screen.

Access the Hidden Library

Press and hold the 'Option' key on your keyboard. The 'Library' option will appear in the drop-down menu; click on it.

Navigate to the AutoRecovery Folder

Navigate through the folders to this exact path: ~/Library/Containers/Microsoft Word/Data/Library/Preferences/AutoRecovery.

Copy and Open the File

Look for files starting with 'AutoRecovery save of' followed by your document name. Drag or copy the needed file to your desktop before opening it in Word.

Locate the AutoRecovery Folder via Mac Finder

AutoRecovery File Deletion: If you closed Microsoft Word normally instead of experiencing a software crash, the temporary AutoRecovery file is typically deleted automatically.

Solution 2

Check OneDrive Version History

If AutoSave was enabled, retrieve an earlier version of your document directly from your OneDrive or SharePoint storage.

Solution 3

Restore Using Time Machine Backups

Use Apple's built-in Time Machine feature to roll back your document folder to a previous state before the file was lost.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between AutoSave and AutoRecovery in Word for Mac?

AutoSave automatically saves your changes in real-time but requires the document to be stored on OneDrive or SharePoint. AutoRecovery periodically saves a temporary background copy of your local file in case Word crashes, but deletes it if you close the application normally.

Why is my AutoRecovery folder empty on my Mac?

The AutoRecovery folder will be empty if Microsoft Word was closed correctly. The system only retains these temporary recovery files if the application exits unexpectedly or crashes.

Can I use Spotlight to find hidden Word AutoRecovery files?

Yes, you can press Command + Space to open Spotlight search and type 'AutoRecovery save of' followed by your document's name to quickly scan your Mac for existing recovery files.

Does Mac Time Machine back up temporary AutoRecovery files?

Time Machine backs up files at scheduled intervals. If an AutoRecovery file existed during a backup cycle, it might be recoverable from the hidden Library path, but it is generally easier to use Time Machine to restore the actual document's parent folder.

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