How to Find Microsoft Word Autosave Location on Windows 10/11?

Losing an unsaved Word document due to a system crash, accidental closure, or power failure can be frustrating. Fortunately, Microsoft Word has an Autosave and AutoRecover feature that helps retrieve unsaved files. Knowing the Microsoft Word Autosave location on Windows 10/11 is essential for quickly restoring lost work. This article will guide you through the default Autosave directories, present 7 effective options for locating unsaved files, and share practical tips to prevent future data loss.

Default Autosave Location in Windows 10/11

Microsoft Word stores Autosave files in specific locations on Windows 10/11.

The default directory for AutoRecover files is:

C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Office\UnsavedFiles

For locally saved documents

Word creates temporary backup files in the same directory as the original file or in:

C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Word

If you’re using OneDrive

Word autosaves files to the OneDrive > Documents folder. You can access previous versions by right-clicking the file in OneDrive and selecting “Version History.”

To effectively recover unsaved documents, you first need to know where Microsoft Word stores its Autosave files.

Now that we’ve covered the default Autosave locations in Windows 10/11, let’s explore the different methods you can use to find and access these autosaved documents.

Option 1. Enable the Auto-save Feature in Microsoft Word through the Settings.

Activate Word’s auto-save feature before learning how to enable it on Windows 10. Please follow these guidelines:

• Launch Word and click File.
• Please choose an option and click save in the left menu.
• Please choose AutoRecover data saving. You may also set the automatic saving interval.

The default AutoRecover file location in Word is C:\Users\Your_username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Word. Click explore to change the location.

Once you have located the auto-save location on your computer, open Word and navigate to that directory. Look for the auto-saved file and double-click to open it in Word. The directory may be hidden in the AppData folder, but you can access it by typing the address in the address bar of File Explorer. Alternatively, you can access the folder yourself by following the path and showing hidden items.

The steps to activate the auto-save feature in Word on Windows 11 remain the same as in Windows 10.

Option 2. Check the AppData Folder.

Default Autosave Locations for Microsoft Word on Windows 10/11

Primary Autosave Folder:

• C:\Users\Your_Username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Word
• C:\Users\Your_Username\AppData\Local\Temp

Unsaved Files Storage (Latest Versions):

• C:\Users\Your_Username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Office\UnsavedFiles

Microsoft 365 Backup Locations:

• C:\Users\Your_Username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Word
• C:\Users\Your_Username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Office\UnsavedFiles

File Naming Conventions:

These files typically have a .tmp extension followed by a four-digit number.

Autosaved files often have a tilde (~) at the beginning (e.g., ~wrdxxxx.tmp).

Option 3: Use the Option to Recover Unsaved Documents.

Don’t worry if Word crashes or you mistakenly close it. Follow these procedures to reach the auto-save location:

• Open Word and find the file.
• Click “Recent” then “Recover Unsaved Documents.”
• Select the documents you wish to retrieve from the automated data folder.
• Auto-save location may also be found under File -> Info -> Manage Versions -> Recover Unsaved Documents.

Tip: WinfrGUI can restore unintentionally deleted files.

Option 4. Check the Trash Can.

Check the Windows 11 Recycle Bin for unsaved files. Word’s automated saves can be lost if not retrieved. Documents removed before are still here:

• Double-click your desktop recycle bin.
• Look for.doc,.docx, or.dot files to find unsaved or missing files.
• Right-click the document you need and select “Restore” to retrieve it.

Option 5. Search for .asd or .wbk Files on Your Computer.

Searching for a file extension may help you identify automated recovery. Word files that auto-save have.asd or.wbk extensions. Please follow these guidelines:

• Use Windows + E to launch File Explorer.
• Please use the top-right search bar.
• Type.wbk or.asd and enter.
• Your system searches for all.wbk and.asd files. Right-click and select “Open File Location” to open Word’s auto-save location.

If the.asd or.wbk files are missing, try the.tmp files. .tmp files are not connected to all Word files. Visit one of the alternatives to identify Word temporary files.

Option 6. Check the Document Directory.

Some auto-saved files are in the same directory as your saved files. However, these files are usually buried. To disclose them, follow these steps:

• Please launch Word.
• Please click the file to open it.
• Access the file’s stored directory by clicking “Browse”.
• Type all files instead of Word documents.
• Backup files named “backup of” should be visible.
• The file was opened and saved.

Option 7. Search for Documents through Search.

Try looking for a stored document on Windows 11 if you can’t recall where it is:

• Type the document name or relevant phrases in Windows.
• Click the document you need in the search results to get information.
• Finding the auto-save option in Word on Windows 10/11 is easy and can help prevent data loss and restore documents.

Summary

Finding the Microsoft Word Autosave location on Windows 10/11 can help recover unsaved documents easily. Word stores temporary files in specific directories such as the AppData folder or OneDrive for cloud-synced files. By following the methods outlined in this guide, you can quickly locate and restore lost documents, ensuring minimal disruption to your work. For added security, WinfrGUI is a good choice to reach the auto-save location and restore unintentionally deleted files.

>>Also Read 5 Methods to Restore Previous Versions of Word Documents

Microsoft Word Autosave Location: FAQs

Q1: Can I search certain article words?

Use the search tool or locate words in most text editors and web browsers to find certain terms in an article. Press Ctrl + F and put the term you want to find in the search window to highlight it across the page.

Q2: Can I discover a Word document’s prior version?

If Windows file history is enabled, you may utilize Microsoft Word’s version history function or check backup files and the “Previous Versions” tab in file properties to find earlier Word document versions.

Open Word, go to the “File” tab, click “Open,” and search in the “Recent Documents” area for your most recently saved files.

From the “File” tab, pick “Open,” and click “Recent.” Word will display the most recently saved files. Recent opened and saved documents are listed here. Use the “Recent Documents” list on Word’s start page.

Q3: Can Word auto-save location be changed?

Yes, Word allows auto-save location changes. Click “File,” “Options,” and “Save.” Enter the new “AutoRecover file location” for auto-saved files.

Q4: How can I recover unsaved documents using the Microsoft Word Autosave location?

If a document closes unexpectedly, open Word and navigate to File > Info > Manage Document > Recover Unsaved Documents. This will display files stored in the default autosave location, allowing you to restore your work from:
C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Office\UnsavedFiles