Word AutoRecover File Location: Where to Find Lost Docs

Updated 7 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

If Word crashes or you close it without saving, the AutoRecover file location is where Word stashes your unsaved work. For most modern versions of Word on Windows, the default path is C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Word\, and on macOS it is /Users/[YourUsername]/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.Word/Data/Library/Preferences/AutoRecovery/. This article explains exactly how to find those files, recover them, and change where Word saves them so you never lose hours of typing again.

What Is AutoRecover and How Does It Work?

AutoRecover is a built-in safety net in Microsoft Word that automatically saves a temporary copy of your open document at set intervals. It is not the same as your regular Save command—AutoRecover files are meant to be a backup if Word crashes, your computer loses power, or you accidentally close a document without saving. By default, Word saves an AutoRecover file every 10 minutes, but you can change that interval. The file is stored in a hidden system folder, which is why many people never find it until they need it.

It is important to understand that AutoRecover is not a substitute for saving your work. It only protects you from unexpected interruptions, and it may not capture every change you made in the last few minutes. For important documents, always use Ctrl+S (or Cmd+S on Mac) regularly and consider enabling AutoSave if you use OneDrive or SharePoint.

Where Does Word Store AutoRecover Files on Windows?

On Windows, the exact location depends on your Word version and whether you installed it from Microsoft 365, Office 2019, or an earlier version. The most common default paths are:

Microsoft 365 / Office 2019 / Office 2016: C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Word\
Office 2013 and earlier: C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Word\ (same path, but some older versions use C:\Documents and Settings\[YourUsername]\Application Data\Microsoft\Word\)

The folder is hidden by default, so you need to enable “Show hidden files and folders” in File Explorer to see it. To do this, open File Explorer, click the View tab, and check the box for Hidden items. Then navigate to the path above. You will see files with names like AutoRecovery save of Document1.asd or ~$Document1.docx. The .asd files are the actual AutoRecover backups; the ~$ files are temporary lock files and can be ignored.

Where Does Word Store AutoRecover Files on Mac?

On macOS, Word stores AutoRecover files in a different hidden location. For Word for Mac (Microsoft 365 and Office 2019), the default path is:

/Users/[YourUsername]/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.Word/Data/Library/Preferences/AutoRecovery/

To access this folder, open Finder, press Cmd+Shift+G to open the “Go to Folder” dialog, and paste the path. If the Library folder is hidden, you can also hold the Option key while clicking the Go menu in Finder to reveal it. The AutoRecover files on Mac have the same .asd extension.

How to Find AutoRecover Files Using Word Itself

Instead of digging through hidden folders, you can let Word show you where it saved your unsaved documents. This is the easiest method for most users.

Open Word (even a blank document).
Click File > Open > Recent.
Scroll to the bottom of the Recent list and click Recover Unsaved Documents (on Windows) or Browse (on Mac, then look for the “Recover Unsaved Documents” option in the sidebar).
A dialog box will open showing all .asd files that Word has saved. Select the one you want and click Open.
Once the document opens, immediately save it with a new name using File > Save As.

This method works even if you don’t know the folder path, and it is the recommended way to recover a lost document.

How to Change the AutoRecover File Location

If you prefer to keep your AutoRecover files in a specific folder (for example, on a different drive or in a cloud-synced folder), you can change the default location in Word’s settings.

Open Word and click File > Options (Windows) or Word > Preferences (Mac).
On Windows, select Save in the left sidebar. On Mac, click the Save icon in the Preferences window.
Look for the AutoRecover file location box (Windows) or AutoRecovery folder (Mac).
Click Browse and choose a new folder.
Click OK to save the change.

Note that Word will only use the new location for documents you work on after the change. Existing AutoRecover files will stay in the old folder.

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

Many users report that they cannot find the AutoRecover folder or that it is empty. Here are the most common issues and solutions:

Folder is hidden: As mentioned, you must enable “Hidden items” in File Explorer or use the “Go to Folder” shortcut on Mac.
AutoRecover is disabled: Check your Word settings. If “Save AutoRecover information every X minutes” is unchecked, Word won’t create these files. Go to File > Options > Save (Windows) or Word > Preferences > Save (Mac) and make sure it is enabled.
You closed the document normally: If you saved and closed the document, Word deletes the AutoRecover file. It only keeps the backup if the program crashes or you force-quit without saving.
You are looking in the wrong folder: If you changed the location previously, Word will use the new path. Check the settings to see the current location.
The file is corrupted: Occasionally an .asd file may be damaged. Try opening it with Word; if it fails, you may need to use a third-party recovery tool, but those are not guaranteed to work.

AutoRecover vs. Autosave: What’s the Difference?

People often confuse AutoRecover with Autosave, but they are different features. AutoRecover is a local backup that only activates after a crash or unexpected shutdown. Autosave, on the other hand, continuously saves your document to OneDrive or SharePoint as you type, so you never lose any changes. Autosave is only available for documents stored in the cloud, and it is always on by default for those files. If you are working on a local file, Autosave is not available, and AutoRecover is your only safety net. For maximum protection, save your documents to OneDrive and keep Autosave enabled.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I recover an unsaved Word document after a crash?

Open Word and go to File > Open > Recent, then click Recover Unsaved Documents at the bottom. Select the file from the list and open it. If it’s not there, check the AutoRecover folder manually using the paths above.

Why can’t I see the AppData folder?

AppData is hidden by default. In File Explorer, go to the View tab and check Hidden items. Alternatively, press Win+R, type %appdata%, and press Enter to jump directly to the Roaming folder.

Can I recover a Word document that I closed without saving?

Yes, if you closed it without saving and didn’t choose “Don’t Save,” Word may have an AutoRecover file. Follow the steps to recover unsaved documents. If you explicitly clicked “Don’t Save,” the AutoRecover file is usually deleted.

How do I set AutoRecover to save every 1 minute?

Go to File > Options > Save (Windows) or Word > Preferences > Save (Mac). Under “Save AutoRecover information every,” enter 1. This increases the frequency of backups but may slow down Word slightly on large documents.

Are AutoRecover files the same as the original document?

No, AutoRecover files are temporary backups in .asd format. They contain the text and formatting up to the last auto-save, but they are not the original document. You must open them in Word and then save them as a regular .docx file.

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