File Corruption & Recovery

How to Recover a Word Document Renamed with a Temporary Filename (~WRD) on Mac

Algirdas Jasaitis Oct 16, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to recover a Word document that has seemingly disappeared and been replaced by a temporary file.

How to Recover a Word Document Renamed with a Temporary Filename on Mac

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: macOS
Scenario: A document was being continuously saved to the Mac desktop, but the original file vanished and was replaced by a temporary filename (e.g., ~WRD0000X). Subsequent changes appear lost.
Observed behavior: The original document disappears and only a temporary file starting with ~WRD remains. This temporary file contains metadata rather than the actual document contents, making standard recovery difficult.

Before you start

Do not delete the ~WRD temporary file yet, as its metadata might hold clues, and ensure you have closed Microsoft Word to prevent it from overwriting any existing AutoRecover files in the background.

Solution 1Recommended

Check the AutoRecover Folder on Mac

Use this method to find locally saved backup copies generated by Word's built-in AutoRecover feature.

Microsoft Word periodically saves background copies of your local documents. If an unexpected glitch or macOS permission issue (common in macOS Ventura) caused the original file to disappear, a recent copy might still exist in the hidden AutoRecovery folder.

Open the Go to Folder Menu

Click on your Mac desktop to make Finder active. From the top menu bar, select 'Go' and then click 'Go to Folder'.

Enter the AutoRecovery Path

Type '~/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.Word/Data/Library/Preferences/AutoRecovery' into the search box and press Return.

Locate and Restore the Document

Look for files starting with 'AutoRecovery save of'. If you find your document, drag it to your Desktop, append '.docx' to the end of the filename if it is missing, and double-click to open it.

Hidden Files: If you cannot find the Library folder, it may be hidden. You can reveal hidden files in Finder by pressing Command + Shift + Period (.).

Solution 2

Check Version History in OneDrive or SharePoint

Use this method if your document was synced to the cloud via Microsoft's AutoSave feature.

Solution 3

Search Mac Temporary Folders via Terminal

Access the system-level temporary directory to hunt for abandoned copies of the file.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does a file name starting with ~WRD mean?

A filename beginning with ~WRD (such as ~WRD0000X) is a temporary owner or lock file created by Microsoft Word to manage the document while it is open. It contains metadata about the editing session, not the actual text of your document.

Why did my saved Word document disappear on my Mac desktop?

This often occurs due to syncing conflicts with iCloud Drive (if Desktop & Documents folders are synced), restrictive permissions in newer macOS versions like Ventura, or an unexpected app crash that interrupts the saving process and leaves only the temporary file behind.

Can I recover text directly from a ~WRD file?

Generally, no. Because the ~WRD file is essentially an empty metadata placeholder, it does not hold your document's contents. You must search your Mac for the original filename, locate AutoRecover files, or check your cloud version history to restore your text.

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