'%3e%3cpath%20d='M8%200C12.4183%200%2016%203.58172%2016%208C16%2012.4183%2012.4183%2016%208%2016C3.58172%2016%200%2012.4183%200%208C0%203.58172%203.58172%200%208%200ZM11.6162%204.38379C11.2257%203.99337%2010.5927%203.99338%2010.2021%204.38379L8%206.58594L5.79785%204.38379C5.40732%203.99334%204.77429%203.99329%204.38379%204.38379C3.99331%204.77429%203.99335%205.40733%204.38379%205.79785L6.58594%208L4.38379%2010.2021C3.99348%2010.5927%203.99341%2011.2257%204.38379%2011.6162C4.77426%2012.0066%205.40734%2012.0065%205.79785%2011.6162L8%209.41406L10.2021%2011.6162C10.5927%2012.0066%2011.2257%2012.0067%2011.6162%2011.6162C12.0067%2011.2257%2012.0066%2010.5927%2011.6162%2010.2021L9.41406%208L11.6162%205.79785C12.0066%205.40735%2012.0066%204.77429%2011.6162%204.38379Z'%20fill='%23080E17'%20fill-opacity='0.46'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cdefs%3e%3cclipPath%20id='clip0_3761_713'%3e%3crect%20width='16'%20height='16'%20fill='white'/%3e%3c/clipPath%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
How to Recover a Lost Excel File After a Microsoft 365 Update
Question details
The user needs to recover a locally saved Excel file that disappeared after an automatic Microsoft 365 update restarted the computer overnight.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel (Microsoft 365)
- Device & OS
- Windows (Dell Inspiron desktop)
- Scenario
- An automatic system or Office update occurred overnight while an Excel file was left open, resulting in the disappearance of the most recent locally saved version.
- Observed behavior
- The latest version of the file is missing from its local save directory, and standard scans could not find it. OneDrive only holds an outdated version from several months prior.
Ensure you have enabled the viewing of hidden files and folders in Windows File Explorer, as temporary and auto-recovered files are frequently stored in hidden system directories like AppData.
Search for Temporary Excel Files in the AppData Folder
Use Windows File Explorer to search your primary system drive for specific file extensions to locate hidden or auto-saved versions.
When an unexpected update restarts your system, Office applications often stash temporary working files in hidden system folders. Searching your main drive using the file extension can bypass folder permission barriers and locate these hidden versions.
Press the Windows Key + E on your keyboard to open File Explorer, then click on 'This PC' and navigate to 'Local Disk (C:)'.
Click inside the search bar located at the top right corner of the window. Type '*.xls' or '*.xlsx' (depending on your file type) and press Enter to search the entire C: drive.
Wait for the search to complete. Look through the results for your file name, particularly those located in the 'C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft' directory.
Double-click the recovered file from the search results to open it in Excel. Immediately go to 'File' > 'Save As' and save it to a standard, easily accessible folder (like Documents) under a new name.
Check AutoRecover and Previous Versions
Utilize Excel's built-in AutoRecover path or Windows' Previous Versions tool to restore a recently saved state.
Check the Recycle Bin and OneDrive Version History
Verify standard backup locations in case the file was accidentally moved to the Recycle Bin or an intermediate save was synced to the cloud.
Prevent File Loss with the Reliable and Lightweight WPS Office
Tired of unexpected updates causing missing files in Microsoft 365? Switch to WPS Office. It provides robust local saving, smart automatic backups, and a highly stable environment. As a completely free and lightweight alternative, WPS Office offers a familiar user interface and seamless migration without the heavy system demands that lead to disruptive overnight updates.
- 1. Download the installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button.
- 2. Install the software: Run the lightweight setup file to install WPS Office on your computer in minutes.
- 3. Open existing files: Launch WPS Office and directly open your existing Excel, Word, or PowerPoint files with perfect formatting retention.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does Excel save auto-recovery files in Windows?
By default, Excel saves AutoRecover files in the 'C:\Users\[Username]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Excel' folder. You can access this folder by typing '%appdata%' into the Windows search bar and navigating to the Microsoft directory.
Why did my locally saved file disappear after a Windows update?
System updates often require an automatic restart. If a file was left open and the application was forced to close, the active session might fail to save properly, or temporary local caches might be cleared, moving the active draft into hidden system directories like AppData.
Can I recover an Excel file if I never formally saved it?
If AutoRecover was enabled, you might find a temporary draft by opening Excel and going to 'File' > 'Info' > 'Manage Workbook' > 'Recover Unsaved Workbooks'. However, if the system restarted unexpectedly before an autosave triggered, the data may be lost.
How do I make hidden AppData folders visible to search for lost files?
Open File Explorer, click on the 'View' tab at the top of the window, and check the box next to 'Hidden items' in the 'Show/hide' section. This allows you to browse and search previously hidden directories like AppData.
