How to recover deleted documents on Microsoft Word
Losing important documents can be a distressing experience, especially when they are deleted from Microsoft Word. Whether it’s an accidental deletion or a technical glitch, there are several methods you can use to recover your deleted documents. In this article, we will discuss various techniques to help you restore your deleted documents on Microsoft Word.
1. Use the “Undo” Command
The first and simplest method to recover deleted documents is by using the “Undo” command. If you have just deleted a document and haven’t made any other changes to your document, you can quickly restore it by pressing “Ctrl + Z” on your keyboard. This command undoes the last action, bringing back the deleted document.
2. Check the Recycle Bin
If you have deleted a document and haven’t cleared the Recycle Bin, you can easily recover it. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Open the Recycle Bin by double-clicking on its icon on your desktop.
2. Locate the deleted document in the Recycle Bin.
3. Right-click on the document and select “Restore.”
4. The document will be restored to its original location.
3. Use the “Recover Unsaved Documents” Feature
Microsoft Word has a built-in feature called “Recover Unsaved Documents” that can help you recover documents that were not saved properly. To use this feature, follow these steps:
1. Open Microsoft Word.
2. Click on “File” in the top-left corner.
3. Select “Manage Documents” from the menu.
4. Choose “Recover Unsaved Documents” from the left-hand pane.
5. A list of unsaved documents will appear. Find your deleted document and click on “Open.”
4. Use the “AutoRecover” Feature
Microsoft Word automatically saves your documents at regular intervals using the “AutoRecover” feature. If you have enabled this feature, you can recover your deleted document from an earlier version. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Open Microsoft Word.
2. Click on “File” in the top-left corner.
3. Select “Open” from the menu.
4. Click on “Recent” in the left-hand pane.
5. Look for the “AutoRecover” folder and open it.
6. You will find a list of documents saved by AutoRecover. Open the one you want to recover.
5. Use a Third-Party Data Recovery Tool
If the above methods don’t work, you can try using a third-party data recovery tool. These tools are designed to recover deleted files from various storage devices, including your computer’s hard drive. Some popular data recovery tools for Microsoft Word documents include:
– Recuva
– EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard
– Stellar Data Recovery
To use a data recovery tool, follow these general steps:
1. Download and install the data recovery tool on your computer.
2. Run the tool and select the drive where your deleted document was stored.
3. Scan the drive for deleted files.
4. Locate your deleted document and restore it to a safe location.
In conclusion, there are several ways to recover deleted documents on Microsoft Word. By using the “Undo” command, checking the Recycle Bin, utilizing the “Recover Unsaved Documents” feature, enabling the “AutoRecover” feature, or using a third-party data recovery tool, you can restore your lost documents and avoid further frustration.
