File Corruption & Recovery

How to Recover Missing Word and Excel Work with AutoRecover

Khadija Khan Sep 28, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user needs to recover unsaved changes or missing versions of Word or Excel documents caused by application closures or cloud synchronization failures.

Recover Missing Word or Excel Work with AutoRecover and OneDrive

Product: Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to retrieve unsaved work or recent changes after reopening a document that failed to save or sync properly.
Observed behavior: Word or Excel opens an older version of the document instead of the most recent edits due to AutoRecover, AutoSave, or OneDrive synchronization failures.

Before you start

Ensure your device has an active internet connection to accurately check OneDrive synchronization status. Do not create or save new files with the same name until you have checked for recovery copies.

Solution 1Recommended

Use AutoRecover and File Info to Find Missing Edits

Locate temporary backup files saved by AutoRecover after an unexpected application crash.

AutoRecover is designed to save a copy of your file locally after an unexpected application exit, whereas AutoSave continuously saves Microsoft 365 files to OneDrive or SharePoint.

Open File Information

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

Access Version Management

Select 'Info' from the left-hand menu and locate the 'Manage Document' (in Word) or 'Manage Workbook' (in Excel) section.

Recover Unsaved Files

Click on 'Recover Unsaved Documents' or 'Recover Unsaved Workbooks' at the bottom of the dropdown list.

Open the Backup

Browse the pop-up folder for your missing file, select it, and click 'Open' to retrieve your work.

Use AutoRecover and File Info to Find Missing Edits

AutoRecover Limitation: AutoRecover only triggers during an unexpected crash. If you closed the file and manually clicked 'Don't Save', AutoRecover will not have generated a backup.

Solution 2

Restore Previous Versions from OneDrive

Access your OneDrive account online to find and restore older versions of your document if AutoSave was active.

Solution 3

Fix OneDrive Sync to Resume AutoSave

Ensure OneDrive is running and syncing correctly so AutoSave functions properly in the future.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office for Reliable Cloud Saving and File Recovery

If you frequently experience AutoSave issues or sync failures with Microsoft Office, try WPS Office. It provides a robust Auto-Backup feature, seamless cloud syncing through WPS Cloud, and full compatibility with Microsoft formats—all within a lightweight application.

1. Download WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office for free from the official website.
2. Enable Auto-Backup: Open WPS Office, go to Settings, and select 'Backup Setting' to enable automatic local backups.
3. Access Backup Center: Use the built-in Backup Center anytime to seamlessly restore previous versions of your work.

Full compatibility with Microsoft Word (.docx), Excel (.xlsx), and PowerPoint (.pptx) formatsBuilt-in Auto-Backup Center to easily retrieve unsaved documents locallySeamless and reliable cloud syncing with WPS Cloud to prevent data lossLightweight application that uses minimal system resources and runs smoothly

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is AutoSave turned off in my Word or Excel?

AutoSave is only available for Microsoft 365 subscribers and requires the file to be actively saved to OneDrive or SharePoint. If you save the file locally to your hard drive, the AutoSave toggle will automatically be disabled.

What is the difference between AutoSave and AutoRecover?

AutoSave continuously saves your edits to the cloud in real-time as you work. AutoRecover, on the other hand, saves a local temporary backup at set intervals (usually every 10 minutes) and is only used to recover files if the application closes unexpectedly due to a crash or power loss.

Where is the default AutoRecover file location on Windows?

By default, AutoRecover files are saved in the hidden AppData folder on your system, usually located at C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Word (or Excel). You can view or change the exact path by going to File > Options > Save.

How do I contact Microsoft Support for missing OneDrive files?

If your files are missing from OneDrive and cannot be found in the cloud recycle bin, you can contact support by logging into the OneDrive website, clicking the Help (?) icon in the top right corner, and selecting 'Contact Support'.

Document & File Issues