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How to Recover Lost Word Changes After an Unexpected Restart on Mac
Question details
The user needs to recover the latest changes made to a Microsoft Word document on a Mac after the application or system unexpectedly restarted.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- Mac
- Scenario
- An unexpected system shutdown or application crash occurred before the latest changes could be manually saved.
- Observed behavior
- When Microsoft Word reopens, it loads an older version of the document, and recent modifications are missing.
Ensure your Mac is connected to a power source to prevent further unexpected shutdowns, and check that your macOS and Microsoft Office applications are updated to the latest versions to avoid recurring crashes.
Recover from the Hidden AutoRecovery Folder
Access Microsoft Word's hidden AutoRecovery folder using the Mac Finder to locate automatically saved versions of your document.
Microsoft Word periodically saves a copy of your document in the background. If the application crashes, these copies are kept in a hidden system folder designed for emergency recovery.
Switch to Finder on your Mac. Click on the 'Go' menu at the top of the screen and select 'Go to Folder...' or simply press Shift + Command + G on your keyboard.
Type the path for the Word AutoRecovery folder: ~/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.Word/Data/Library/Preferences/AutoRecovery and press Return.
Look for files starting with 'AutoRecovery save of' followed by your document name. Double-click the file to open it in Word, then immediately go to File > Save As to store it in a secure location.
Restore the Document Using Time Machine
Use macOS's built-in Time Machine feature to restore a previously backed-up version of your Word document.
Search for Temporary Files using Spotlight
Use the Spotlight search tool on your Mac to find temporary or misplaced versions of your Word document.
Switch to WPS Office for Reliable Document Management on Mac
Tired of losing your progress to unexpected software crashes? WPS Office is a free, lightweight, and highly compatible Microsoft Office alternative that features robust Auto-Backup tools to keep your work safe on Mac.
- 1. Download and Install: Download WPS Office for Mac for free from the official website and install it on your device.
- 2. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Writer and seamlessly open all your existing Microsoft Word (.docx) files without losing formatting.
- 3. Enable Auto-Backup: Navigate to Settings > Backup Settings in WPS Office to configure frequent, automatic backups so you never lose progress again.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I change the AutoRecover save frequency in Microsoft Word for Mac?
Open Microsoft Word, click on the 'Word' menu at the top left of your screen, select 'Preferences', and click on 'Save'. In this menu, you can adjust the 'Save AutoRecover info every' setting to a shorter interval, such as every 5 minutes, to minimize potential data loss.
Why is my AutoRecovery folder empty?
The AutoRecovery folder may be empty if Microsoft Word was closed normally prior to the unexpected system restart, if the AutoRecover feature was manually disabled, or if the recovered file was already opened, reviewed, and closed without saving.
Does AutoRecover replace the need to manually save my document?
No. AutoRecover is specifically designed as an emergency feature to recover files after an unexpected crash, power failure, or forced restart. You should still frequently save your work manually by pressing Command + S.
