Deleted File Recovery

How to Recover a Deleted Unsaved Excel AutoRecover File

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to retrieve an unsaved Excel workbook that was visible in the AutoRecover pane but was accidentally deleted before saving.

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Accidentally deleting an unsaved file from the AutoRecover pane before manually saving it.
Observed behavior: The AutoRecover file was deleted and is no longer accessible within Excel's immediate interface.

Before you start

Stop creating new files or saving data to the same drive immediately to prevent your operating system from overwriting the deleted AutoRecover file cache.

Solution 1Recommended

Check the 'Recover Unsaved Workbooks' Directory

Excel stores temporary backups of unsaved files in a specific local directory which might still contain your cached file.

Even if the file was removed from the AutoRecover pane, a cached version might still reside in Excel's default unsaved files directory.

Open Microsoft Excel

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

Navigate to Recent Workbooks

Click on 'Open' from the left sidebar, and then select 'Recent' to view your recent file history.

Access Unsaved Files

Scroll to the bottom of the Recent workbooks list and click the 'Recover Unsaved Workbooks' button.

Restore and Save

Look for your missing AutoRecover file in the File Explorer dialog that opens. If found, double-click to open it, then immediately click 'Save As' to secure it in a permanent folder.

Solution 2

Restore from the Windows Recycle Bin

If the AutoRecover file was manually deleted from its source folder on your local drive, it may still be recoverable from the Recycle Bin.

Solution 3

Check OneDrive Version History and Contact Support

If your files are synced with OneDrive, you might be able to recover a cached version from the cloud or with the help of Microsoft support.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Prevent Unsaved File Loss with WPS Office

Tired of losing unsaved work in Microsoft Excel? WPS Office offers a robust Local Backup and AutoBackup feature that automatically saves your files at customizable intervals, ensuring you never lose your important data. It is a highly compatible, lightweight, and free alternative to Microsoft Office.

1. Download and Install WPS Office: Get WPS Office for free from the official website and install it on your device.
2. Access Backup Settings: Open the WPS Spreadsheets application, click on 'Menu' in the top-left corner, and select 'Options'.
3. Enable Smart Backup: Navigate to the 'General and Save' tab and ensure the AutoBackup intervals are set to a frequent timeframe to secure your work automatically.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel formats (.xlsx, .xls, .csv).Robust AutoBackup feature prevents accidental data loss.Lightweight design ensures smooth performance on all desktop and mobile devices.Free and intuitive interface allows for a seamless transition from Microsoft Office.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the default AutoRecover location for Microsoft Excel?

By default, Windows stores Excel AutoRecover files in C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Excel\. You can paste this path into your File Explorer address bar to manually search for cached files.

Can I recover an unsaved Excel file if I closed the program and clicked 'Don't Save'?

Yes, you can often recover it by opening Excel, clicking File > Info > Manage Workbook, and then selecting 'Recover Unsaved Workbooks' from the dropdown menu.

How do I change how often Excel autosaves my files?

Go to File > Options > Save, and adjust the number of minutes next to 'Save AutoRecover information every X minutes'. Setting a shorter interval, such as 5 minutes, provides better protection against unexpected data loss.

Migration & Recovery