File Corruption & Recovery

How to Recover an Excel File Replaced by a ~$ Lock File

Kushani Nimanthika Sep 29, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to locate and recover an original Excel workbook after discovering that only a temporary ~$ lock file remains.

How to Recover an Excel File Replaced by a ~$ Lock File

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: The original Excel workbook is missing, often due to an application crash or improper shutdown, leaving behind only a ~$ owner or lock file.
Observed behavior: A ~$ file appears in the directory instead of the actual Excel workbook. Renaming this file does not restore the spreadsheet data because it is only a placeholder file.

Before you start

Close all active Microsoft Excel windows and use the Windows Task Manager to ensure no background Excel.exe processes are running before attempting to delete the lock file or recover your data.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Excel's Built-in Recovery Features

Check Excel's built-in AutoRecover locations and the Unsaved Workbooks tool to locate your missing file.

Microsoft Excel has built-in mechanisms to save your progress temporarily. If your application crashed, the original file might be safely stored in the Unsaved Workbooks folder.

Open Excel Settings

Launch Microsoft Excel and click on the 'File' tab located in the top-left corner of the window.

Navigate to Workbook Management

Select 'Info' from the left sidebar, then click the 'Manage Workbook' button.

Select Recover Unsaved Workbooks

From the dropdown menu, choose 'Recover Unsaved Workbooks' to open the hidden recovery directory.

Restore the File

Browse the folder for your missing Excel file, select it, and click 'Open'. Once opened, immediately click 'Save As' to store it in a secure location.

Check Cloud History: If you save your files to OneDrive or SharePoint, log in online and check the 'Version History' or the cloud Recycle Bin to restore your workbook.

Solution 2

Restore the Folder via Windows Previous Versions

If the file was accidentally deleted or lost in a local directory, you can try rolling the folder back to an earlier state.

Solution 3

Recover from the Outlook Temporary Cache

If you originally opened the missing Excel file directly from an Outlook email attachment without saving it manually, it may be hidden in a temporary cache folder.

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Prevent Data Loss with WPS Office

Tired of dealing with confusing lock files and missing workbooks in Microsoft Excel? Try WPS Office, a lightweight and free alternative that offers robust document backup features, seamless format compatibility, and a familiar user interface.

1. Install WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office Free to seamlessly manage your spreadsheets.
2. Access Backup Tools: Open WPS Spreadsheets, click the 'Menu' icon, and navigate to 'Backup and Recovery'.
3. Recover Files Easily: Select 'Auto Backup' to instantly view, manage, and restore any of your auto-saved files.

100% format compatibility with Microsoft Excel formats (.xlsx, .xls, .csv).Built-in smart Auto Backup and recovery center to prevent sudden data loss.Lightweight installation with zero bloatware, perfect for optimal device performance.Familiar, tabbed interface allowing for a seamless transition from MS Office.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is a ~$ file in Excel?

A file starting with ~$ is a temporary owner or lock file created by Microsoft Office when a document is opened. Its purpose is to prevent multiple users from editing the same file simultaneously. It does not contain any of your actual spreadsheet data.

Can I simply rename a ~$ file to .xlsx to recover my Excel workbook?

No, renaming the ~$ file will not recover your data. The lock file is typically very small (around 1KB) and only holds metadata, such as the name of the user currently editing the file. Opening a renamed lock file will usually result in a file corruption error.

Is it safe to delete the ~$ lock file from my computer?

Yes, it is perfectly safe to delete a stale ~$ lock file, provided you have fully closed Microsoft Excel and ensured no Excel.exe processes are actively running in your Task Manager. However, deleting it will not bring your original workbook back.

Where does Excel save AutoRecover files by default?

By default, Excel saves AutoRecover files in a hidden AppData folder. On Windows, you can usually find these files by navigating to C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Excel\.

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