File Corruption & Recovery

How to Find Missing Word Documents After Installing Microsoft 365

Maira Mehtab Sep 28, 2026 869 views

Question details

User is unable to locate previously created Word documents after installing or upgrading to Microsoft 365.

How to Find Missing Word Documents After Installing Microsoft 365

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Locating existing documents after a new software installation or upgrade.
Observed behavior: Documents created with an earlier version of Word appear to be missing or are no longer in their expected folders.

Before you start

Verify whether your missing files were primarily saved locally on your hard drive or synced to a cloud service like OneDrive before the Microsoft 365 installation.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify Default Local Save Location in Word

Check where Microsoft Word is configured to save local documents to find files that might be stored in a different folder.

Installing Microsoft 365 does not automatically move or delete locally stored documents. They are often just residing in a default folder you might not frequently check.

Open Word Options

Launch Microsoft Word, click on 'File' in the top-left corner, and select 'Options' at the bottom of the menu.

Navigate to Save Settings

In the Word Options dialog box, click on 'Save' in the left-hand pane.

Find Local File Location

Look for the 'Default local file location' field. Note the folder path listed there.

Browse to the Folder

Open Windows File Explorer and navigate to the exact folder path you noted to look for your missing documents.

Verify Default Local Save Location in Word

Update Default Location: If you prefer your documents saved elsewhere, you can change the folder path in this same menu and click 'OK'.

Solution 2

Check AutoRecover and Unsaved Files

Use Word's built-in AutoRecover feature to locate earlier versions of files that might not have been saved properly before the upgrade.

Solution 3

Check OneDrive or SharePoint Version History

Locate missing documents synced to cloud storage and use version history to restore them if needed.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office for Reliable Document Management

Avoid disruptive updates and missing files by switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and user-friendly experience for all your document needs without the hassle of heavy software upgrades.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package.
2. Install the Software: Run the installer and follow the simple on-screen instructions to set up WPS Office on your computer.
3. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Writer and seamlessly open all your existing local .docx files without losing any formatting.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) and other Office formatsLightweight installation that keeps your local file structures intactBuilt-in robust file backup and document recovery featuresFamiliar tabbed interface for a seamless, zero-learning-curve migration

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Does installing Microsoft 365 delete my old Word documents?

No, installing or upgrading to Microsoft 365 does not automatically move or delete documents created with an earlier version of Word. Your files safely remain in the local folders where they were originally saved.

Can I search my entire computer for missing Word documents?

Yes. Open Windows File Explorer, click on 'This PC', and type '*.docx' or '*.doc' in the top-right search bar. This will scan your entire hard drive for all Microsoft Word files.

Why does Microsoft 365 save my files to OneDrive instead of my computer?

Microsoft 365 prioritizes cloud storage to allow access across multiple devices. You can change this by going to File > Options > Save in Word and checking the box for 'Save to Computer by default'.

Where are Word documents saved by default on Windows?

By default, Microsoft Word usually saves local documents to the 'Documents' folder on your Windows PC (C:\Users\[YourUsername]\Documents), unless the default save location was previously changed.

Document & File Issues