Where Does Word Save Temp Files?

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where does word save temp files

If you use Microsoft Word, you may lose your saved notepad. Lost Word files can be irritating, but there are ways to find them on your computer. File loss can result from hard disk damage, inadvertent deletion, or a virus. Where does word save temp files? This post explains how to discover temporary Word files on your computer.

Fortunately, Word automatically creates and saves a temporary duplicate of unSaved documents. This is a backup and can help you restore lost work. So stay tuned!

How to Locate Temporary Word Files in Windows

In this section, we will summarize various methods for locating temporary Word files on Windows to save time. You can copy and paste this path to find temporary Word files: C:\Users\admin\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Word.

For Windows users, here are some methods you can try:

Method 1: Use recovery software to check for unsaved Word files.

WinfrGUI can find and restore temporary Word files and unsaved documents. This program recovers Word, PowerPoint, Excel, pictures, videos, audio, and more. It extensively examines files for unsaved ones. After the scan, you may filter by path or type and recover files. Follow these steps:

  • Step 1: WinfrGUI must be downloaded and installed on Windows. Open the program and select local drive to scan.
  • Step 2: Select “Type” and “Unsaved Files.” All your MS Word files will display; pick “doc/docx” to restore unsaved documents.
  • Step 3: Scroll down to the unsaved Word file and select “Preview” to preview. Finally, click “Recover” and pick where to save the document. The program can also recover deleted Word files.
Download WinfrGUI Free

Method 2: Using “Recover Unsaved Documents” in Microsoft Word

Microsoft Word recovers unsaved files. How to utilize it:

  • Step 1: Microsoft Word opens first.
  • Step 2: Select “File” from the top left menu.
  • Step 3: Click “Open” and “Recover Unsaved Documents.”
  • Step 4: Unsaved documents appear. Check the boxes of desired goods.
  • Step 5: Save the retrieved file.

If the “UnsavedFiles” folder is missing, navigate to AppData > Roaming > Microsoft > Word. You can copy temporary files to a new folder before opening them as Word documents. Find Excel’s temporary files using a similar way.

Method 3: Use File Explorer to search for temporary Word files.

Windows File Explorer can look for temporary Word files. Follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Launch File Explorer by pressing “Windows + E”.
  • Step 2: Type “.temp” in the top-right search field and hit “Enter.”
  • Step 3: Choose your temporary Word file from the list.

Method 4: Use the Run dialog box to search for Word temporary files.

Use the Run dialog to browse the system’s temporary folder for temporary files. So how:

  • Step 1: Open Run with “Windows key + R”.
  • Step 2: Type “%temp%” and click “OK.”
  • Step 3: The temporary files list appears. Find the desired file.

AutoSave and AutoRecover should be enabled beforehand to restore unsaved Word files. So how:

  • Step 1: Launch Word and select “File”.
  • Step 2: Choose “Options”
  • Step 3: Select “Save automatic recovery information every” and specify the interval. (5–10 minutes).
  • Step 4: Select “Keep the last auto-save if I close without saving” and click “OK.”

How do temporary working files function?

Temporary Word files play an important role when using Microsoft Word. These files will be created when you create or edit documents. They serve as backup copies and ensure the safety of your work, making the editing process smooth.

Temporary Word files usually have the “.tmp” extension and are saved in a designated temporary folder on your computer. Every time you make changes to your Word document, the application saves those changes to the temporary file in the background. It should be noted that temporary files are often automatically deleted when you save the document.

Conclusion

This article has shown that searching for temporary Word files on Windows doesn’t have to be a hassle anymore. Try out these different methods and see which one works best for you!

However, I recommend downloading WinfrGUI for reliably and successfully recovering lost or unsaved files.

Where Does Word Save Temp Files: FAQ

For more information about temporary storage of Word files, please refer to these frequently asked questions.

Where are the unsaved Word files stored in Windows?

Unsaved Word files in Windows are stored in a temporary folder, which can be accessed by opening Word and going to “File” > “Info” > “Manage Document” > “Recover Unsaved Documents.” You can also find these files in the system’s Temp folder.

By default, Microsoft Word saves unsaved files through the AutoRecover feature in this path: C:\Users[username]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Office\Unsaved Files. However, the exact location may vary depending on the version of Word and your system settings. To get accurate details, please check the AutoRecover settings in Word.

How can I quickly find temporary files?

You can quickly find temporary files using the built-in File Explorer. Follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Press the “Windows + E” keys together to open File Explorer.
  • Step 2: Type “%temp%” in the search bar and press Enter.
  • Step 3: This will take you to the Temp folder that contains temporary files.

Can I recover an unsaved Word file without a temporary file?

Yes, you can use Word’s auto-recovery feature to recover unsaved files. Here’s what you need to do:

  • Step 1: Select the “File” tab, then click on “Info” and choose “Manage Documents.”
  • Step 2: Click on “Recover Unsaved Documents.”
  • Step 3: After selecting the file you want to recover, click on “Open.”
  • Step 4: Finally, select the “Save As” button and save your Word file.

Where will temporary Word files be stored on a Mac?

Temporary Word files for Mac OS will be stored in the temporary folder. The Mac operating system creates these temporary files in the system’s temporary folder. (TMP folder). There is a chance that you might be able to recover the lost work from there.