5 Methods to Restore Previous Versions of Word Documents

Working on a Word document and suddenly facing issues like unexpected shutdowns or software crashes can be frustrating. Sometimes, you may even find that an older version of your document is actually better than the current one. Fortunately, Microsoft Word makes it easy to track changes and restore previous versions of Word documents. This feature allows you to recover earlier drafts or undo unwanted edits without hassle. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the simplest and most effective methods to access and restore those previous or unsaved versions, helping you avoid data loss and regain control over your work. Whether you’re dealing with crashes, accidental deletions, or just want to revisit an earlier draft, learning how to restore previous versions can save you time and stress. Keep reading to discover the steps that will make managing your Word documents easier and more reliable.

Method 1. Restore Previous Versions of Word Documents with Word Auto Saves

Word has a built-in auto-saving function that tracks changes in your Word document. Follow these steps to get an earlier version of your word document using the auto-save feature.

Situation 1. If you have saved the file:

Step 1: Open your Word document.
Step 2: Click the File tab in the top-left corner.
Step 3: Select Info from the menu, then click Manage Document (or Manage Versions).

Step 4: Look for the list of autosaved versions, sorted by date and time.
Step 5: Click the version you want to open—it will open in a new window.
Step 6: At the top, click Recover or Restore to save this version to a secure location.

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Situation 2. If you haven’t saved the file yet: Open your Word document.

Step 1: Open Word and go to File > Info > Manage Document.
Step 2: Click Recover Unsaved Documents.
Step 3: Select the unsaved document you want from the list.
Step 4: Open it, then immediately save it with File > Save As to prevent losing it again.

Method 2. Restore Previous Version of Word Documents with File Recovery Software.

Many people don’t know that while working with your Word file, your computer creates two types of files in the background:.tmp file, which is a backup of your latest version file, and.asd file which is the backup copy of your unsaved fashion. These files will be saved automatically if you close MS Word properly. If the previous method hasn’t solved your problem, you can use recovery software such as WinfrGUI to restore deleted or missing.tmp or.asd files.

WinfrGUI comes with features like recover previous version of excel file. It has a 95% recovery rate, which means it can revive your documents even in unlikely situations. The software can recover your files from various storage media including empty recycling tanks, SSDs, or external hard drives, or USB flash drivers. Let’s see how you can use WinfrGUI to restore previous versions of word documents.

Step1: Download WinfrGUI from the official website and install it according to the instructions.

Step2: Open the program and select the drive or folder where you lost.temp or.asd files. Click Start

Step3: WinfrGUI starts the scan process and displays recoverable files during the process. All unsaved files are stored in one category.

Step4: Use a filter or search function to quickly find the desired file type.

Step5: Finally, click Recover to restore the backup of your Word document.

Method 3. Restore Your Word Document through the Previous Version of Windows.

Windows automatically generates previous versions of files as “restore points” in Windows 10. You can access this feature using a file scanner.

Step1: Go to the location of the Word document you want to recover.

Step2: Right-click on the file and select properties

Step3: In the previous version tab, you will see a list of previous versions. Select the version you want to download.

Step4: To open files and copy text without applying changes, click Open. If you want to replace existing files, select Recover.

Method 4. Restore Previous Version from Backup

If you have a backup of your files either on an external hard drive or on a cloud storage service, you can restore previous version of word documents from backup.

Step1: Find your backup by connecting your external hard drive or logging into your cloud storage account.

Step2: Move to a folder containing a word document backup

Step3: Find the desired version of the document. The file may contain a timer or a model number.

Step4: Copy the desired version and place it in your desired location on your computer or download it from a cloud storage service.

Method 5. Restore Previous Versions of Word Documents Using MS Word File History.

If you use Microsoft 365 and have AutoSave enabled, your Word documents are automatically saved to OneDrive. This lets you easily access and restore earlier versions through Word’s Version History feature. Just make sure your files are saved to OneDrive for this to work. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Open the Word document you want to restore.
Step 2: Click the File tab in the top-left corner.
Step 3: Select Info from the sidebar menu.

Step 4: Click Version History—this will open a new panel called “Version History” on the right side of your screen.
Step 5: Browse through the list of saved versions and click Open version to preview the one you want to restore.
Step 6: If this is the version you want, click Restore to replace the current document with it.
Step 7: Alternatively, use the Compare option to see what changes were made between versions before restoring.

Using Version History is a simple and effective way to roll back to previous drafts without worrying about losing your work.

How to Enable Automatic Backup in Microsoft Word

To help prevent data loss, you can enable Word’s automatic backup feature, which regularly saves backup copies of your documents. Here’s what you need to know:

• Access the backup option through Word Options under the Advanced settings.
• Enable the setting called “Always create backup copy” (or similar).
• Once enabled, Word will automatically save backup copies of your documents.
• Backup files are stored in these folders on your computer:
  • C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Word
  • C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Office\UnsavedFiles
• You can browse these folders to recover older versions or accidentally deleted Word documents.
• Enabling this feature adds an extra layer of protection and peace of mind for your important files.

Conclusion

In summary, these 5 methods provide reliable solutions to restore previous version of word documents. Make sure your valuable work is not lost. By understanding and using these techniques, you can safely navigate through document recovery situations and protect your important files. Do not let erroneous references or unsaved changes stop you; offer the art of recovery previous Word documents with our comprehensive guide.

🔗 Also Read: 5 Methods to Recover the Previous Version of Word Document