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How to Recover a Deleted Excel AutoRecover File
Question details
The user accidentally deleted an unsaved Excel file from the AutoRecover pane after reopening Office 2019 and wants to know how to retrieve it.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel (Office 2019)
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Trying to restore an unsaved workbook that appeared in the Document Recovery pane but was accidentally deleted before saving.
- Observed behavior
- The AutoRecovered file was removed from the recovery list and is no longer accessible locally through the Microsoft Excel interface.
Before attempting recovery, ensure you are logged into the Microsoft account associated with your Office 2019 license and check if your files were actively syncing to OneDrive.
Check OneDrive for Cached Copies or Version History
Since modern Office versions often integrate with OneDrive, your AutoRecovered file may have a cached copy or a recoverable previous version saved in the cloud.
If your Office 2019 is connected to a Microsoft account, AutoSave and background syncing might have pushed a temporary copy of your workbook to OneDrive. Checking the online repository is the most reliable way to find accidentally deleted recovery files.
Open your web browser and visit https://onedrive.live.com. Sign in with the Microsoft account connected to your Office 2019 installation.
Use the search bar at the top of the OneDrive interface to look for the name of your unsaved workbook or filter by recent Excel documents.
Click on 'Recycle bin' in the left-hand navigation pane to see if the deleted AutoRecovered file was moved there. If found, select it and click 'Restore'.
If you find an older version of the file, right-click it, select 'Version history', and restore the most recent snapshot taken before the accidental deletion.
Contact Microsoft OneDrive Support
If the file is not visible in your OneDrive storage or Recycle Bin, Microsoft Support may be able to recover recently deleted cloud files from their backend servers.
Never Lose Unsaved Spreadsheets Again with WPS Office
Stop worrying about lost AutoRecover files. WPS Office is a highly compatible Microsoft Office alternative that features a robust built-in Backup Center, ensuring your spreadsheet progress is always secure, automatically saved, and easily restorable for free.
- 1. Download and Install WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website, download the free suite, and install it on your device.
- 2. Open WPS Spreadsheets: Launch WPS Spreadsheets and open any existing Microsoft Excel file with seamless compatibility.
- 3. Enable Smart Backup: Navigate to Menu > Settings > Backup Center to configure automatic local and cloud backups, ensuring you never lose unsaved work again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are Excel AutoRecover files stored locally on my PC?
By default, Windows stores Excel AutoRecover files in a hidden AppData folder. You can navigate to C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Excel\ in File Explorer to check if any residual backup folders remain.
Can I recover an unsaved Excel file if I never saved it once?
Yes, if AutoRecover was enabled, Excel creates temporary backups for never-saved files. You can check for these by opening Excel, clicking File > Info > Manage Workbook, and selecting 'Recover Unsaved Workbooks'.
How long does OneDrive keep deleted files in its Recycle Bin?
For personal Microsoft accounts, deleted files are retained in the OneDrive Recycle Bin for 30 days. After 30 days, or if the bin is manually emptied, the files are permanently deleted.
Will third-party data recovery software work on a deleted AutoRecover file?
If the AutoRecover file was saved locally to your hard drive before deletion, a reliable data recovery tool might be able to scan your drive for the temporary .xlsb or .tmp file, provided the sector hasn't been overwritten by new data.
