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How to Recover a Deleted Word Document When the Info Option is Missing
Question details
The user needs to recover a deleted or unsaved Word document but cannot find the standard 'File > Info' option to access document recovery features.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- Windows, Mac
- Scenario
- Attempting to recover a lost, unsaved, or deleted Word document when standard Windows recovery UI paths are unavailable.
- Observed behavior
- The 'File > Info' menu path is missing, typically because the user is operating on a platform (like Mac or Web) where this Windows-specific UI element does not exist.
Verify your operating system (Windows or Mac) and check where the document was originally saved (locally, OneDrive, or SharePoint), as the recovery process varies significantly based on these factors.
Recover Locally Saved Word Documents on Mac and Windows
Use the system trash and Office AutoRecover folders to restore documents saved directly to your computer's hard drive.
Since the 'File > Info' option is not available on Word for Mac, you must rely on the operating system's built-in file recovery methods and the hidden AutoRecover folder to retrieve unsaved work.
Open the Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash (Mac). If your deleted document is there, right-click it and select 'Restore' or 'Put Back'.
Open Finder, select 'Go' > 'Go to Folder' from the top menu, and paste the following path: ~/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.Word/Data/Library/Preferences/AutoRecovery. Look for files starting with 'AutoRecovery save of'.
Press Windows Key + R, type %AppData%\Microsoft\Word\, and press Enter. Look for files ending with the .asd extension.
Copy the recovered file to your Desktop. Open Microsoft Word, go to 'File' > 'Open', and select the recovered file. Save it immediately as a new .docx file.
Restore Cloud Documents from OneDrive or SharePoint
Retrieve deleted documents or previous versions that were synced to Microsoft's cloud services.
Request Administrator Assistance for Business Accounts
Business and enterprise users can escalate data loss issues to their IT administrators for advanced recovery options.
Enjoy Seamless Auto-Backup and File Recovery with WPS Office
Avoid the confusion of missing menu options across different devices. WPS Office provides a free, lightweight alternative to Microsoft Word with a unified, easy-to-use Auto-Backup feature for both Windows and Mac, ensuring your documents are always safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the 'File > Info' option missing in my Word application?
The 'File > Info' path is a feature specific to the Windows desktop version of Microsoft Word. If you are using Word for Mac, Word Online, or a mobile version, this menu option does not exist, and you must use platform-specific recovery methods.
Can I recover an unsaved Word document on a Mac?
Yes. Even without the 'File > Info' option, you can recover unsaved documents by checking the AutoRecovery folder, which is located in your hidden Mac Library files under ~/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.Word/Data/Library/Preferences/AutoRecovery.
How long do deleted files remain in the OneDrive Recycle Bin?
For personal Microsoft accounts, deleted files are kept in the OneDrive Recycle Bin for 30 days. For Microsoft 365 work or school accounts, they are retained for 93 days before being permanently deleted, unless the bin is manually emptied sooner.
