Deleted File Recovery

How to Recover a Closed Microsoft Designer Project

Steve K Oct 10, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to locate and resume working on a Microsoft Designer invitation project that was closed before saving.

How to Recover and Continue a Closed Microsoft Designer Project

Product: Microsoft 365 / Microsoft Designer
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Reopening Microsoft 365 to continue editing a design project that was accidentally closed or lost.
Observed behavior: The closed project cannot be found in the application workspace or standard file directories.

Before you start

Ensure you are logged into the exact Microsoft account used to create the project, as cloud-based files are tied directly to user profiles.

Solution 1Recommended

Check Recent Files and AutoRecover Location

Use the application's built-in recent documents list or Windows AutoRecover path to restore unsaved project files.

Microsoft 365 applications typically keep a record of recently accessed files and automatically generate backup versions of active documents at set intervals. Accessing these built-in recovery points is the most effective way to retrieve your lost work.

Check the Recent Files List

Open Microsoft 365, click on the 'File' tab in the top left corner, and select 'Recent' to see if your invitation project appears in the list. If found, click to open and save it immediately.

Locate the AutoRecover Path

On a Windows PC, open any Microsoft 365 application (like Word or PowerPoint), navigate to 'File' > 'Options' > 'Save'. Locate the 'AutoRecover file location' field and copy the folder path provided.

Browse for Recoverable Files

Open Windows File Explorer, paste the copied AutoRecover path into the address bar, and press Enter. Look for folders or files matching the time your project was closed to recover the design.

Enable AutoSave for the Future

To prevent future data loss, turn on the 'AutoSave' toggle in the top-left corner of your workspace and ensure your projects are saved to OneDrive.

Check Recent Files and AutoRecover Location

AutoSave Dependency: If the design was never saved manually and AutoSave/AutoRecover was not active at the time of closing, the file may not be recoverable.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How often does AutoRecover save my work?

By default, AutoRecover saves a temporary version of your file every 10 minutes. You can adjust this frequency in File > Options > Save to as low as 1 minute for better protection.

Can I recover a project if I clicked 'Don't Save'?

Usually, no. If you explicitly select 'Don't Save' when closing a document, the application deletes any AutoRecover files associated with that session, assuming you no longer need the changes.

Where are Microsoft Designer projects saved by default?

Microsoft Designer projects are typically saved directly to your connected OneDrive account. Logging into the OneDrive web portal and checking your recent files there can sometimes reveal missing designs.

Migration & Recovery