How to Make a Copy of a Word Document & Recover It if Deleted

alison-d
By  
how-to-make-a-copy-of-word-document

Creating a copy of a Word document is something we often do without thinking—until something goes wrong. Maybe you accidentally edited the original file instead of the copy. Or worse, you hit “delete” and emptied the Recycle Bin before realizing what happened. Don’t worry. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to copy a Word document properly and what to do if you delete it by mistake, including how to recover lost files using a free tool like WinfrGUI.

How to Copy a Word Document

Making a copy of your document helps you preserve the original while working on a new version. Here are a few easy ways to do it:

✅ Method 1: Use “Save As” in Microsoft Word

This is the most common and recommended way to duplicate a file.

  1. Open your Word document.
  2. Click File > Save As.
  3. Choose a new file name and select a location.
  4. Click Save.

Now you have two versions of the document—one original, one copy.

✅ Method 2: Copy and Paste in File Explorer (Windows)

For quick copies without opening the file:

  1. Navigate to the folder where your Word file is located.
  2. Right-click the file and select Copy.
  3. Right-click an empty space in the folder and click Paste.
  4. Rename the copy as needed.

This method is great for creating backups or template files.

✅ Method 3: Duplicate Files on Mac

If you’re on macOS:

  1. Locate your document in Finder.
  2. Right-click and choose Duplicate.
  3. A copy will appear with “copy” in the file name—rename it if you’d like.

Why Copying Your Word File Matters

Copying your document isn’t just about convenience—it’s about protection. Here’s why it’s a smart habit:

  • Backups: Always have a version to fall back on.
  • Version control: Avoid confusion when making major edits.
  • Accident prevention: Editing the wrong file won’t ruin your original.

What to Do If the File Is Deleted

Accidentally deleting a file happens more often than you’d think. Here’s how to get it back.

Step 1: Check the Recycle Bin

Before anything else:

  • Open the Recycle Bin on your desktop.
  • Look for your deleted file.
  • If it’s there, right-click and select Restore.

Easy fix—if you catch it in time.

Step 2: Recover Permanently Deleted Files with WinfrGUI

If your file isn’t in the Recycle Bin—or you’ve permanently deleted it—you can use WinfrGUI to recover it.

winfrgui-free

What is WinfrGUI?

WinfrGUI is a free file recovery tool for Windows users. It’s based on Microsoft’s Windows File Recovery utility but adds a simple, user-friendly interface—no command line required.

How to Use WinfrGUI:

  1. ✔️Download and install WinfrGUI from its official site.
  2. ✔️Open it and select the drive where your document was saved.
  3. ✔️Choose the file type (“Documents” to recover Word files).
  4. ✔️Click Scan to find deleted files.
  5. ✔️Preview the results, then select your Word document and click Recover.
Download WinfrGUI Free

It’s fast, free, and beginner-friendly—perfect for recovering Word documents in just a few clicks.

Tips to Avoid Losing Word Files

  • ✅ Always use Save As before editing critical documents.
  • 🔄 Enable AutoSave if you’re using OneDrive or SharePoint.
  • ☁️ Backup files to cloud storage like Google Drive or Dropbox.
  • 🧯 Keep recovery tools like WinfrGUI on hand, just in case.

Conclusion

Copying a Word document is a quick task—but it can save you a lot of stress down the line. Whether you’re editing a resume, creating templates, or working on an important report, having a backup gives you peace of mind.

And if things go wrong—like a deleted or missing file—WinfrGUI gives you a second chance. Just remember: the best protection is prevention, but recovery is always an option.

Also Read👉 How to Retrieve Deleted Files on Windows 10: 8 Proven Methods