How to Recover Deleted Word Files Easily

Learn simple methods to recover deleted Word files from the Recycle Bin, AutoRecover, backups, or data recovery software.

Software

Losing a Word file due to accidental deletion is a stressful experience, particularly if it includes sensitive details of your work, personal notes, or even business information. Fortunately, you might still be able to recover it. There are a few ways to recover deleted documents if they are not found in their original location using Windows and/or Microsoft Word. Try some of the methods below to recover a deleted Word doc.

1. Look in the Recycle Bin

Generally, if you remove a Word file from Windows, it will be placed in the Recycle Bin first. If you haven't emptied the bin, then you can restore from there.

  • Click on the Recycle Bin on your desktop.

  • Look for the Word document that has been deleted.

  • Right-click the file.

  • Select **Restore**.

The document should be returned to the folder it was saved in before deletion.

2. Find the Document in Word

At times, you might shut down Word without saving your document or lose your file due to an unexpected end to your session. You may be able to use the recovery feature in Microsoft Word.

 

  • Open Microsoft Word.

  • Click **File** and select **Info**.

  • Find Manage Document or available recovery options.

  • If available, click on **Recover Unsaved Documents**.

  •  Open the document you need and immediately save it.

 

This will only work if the file is unsaved, not for all permanently deleted files.

3. Roll Back to an Earlier Version

If you have backed up the deleted document using OneDrive or Windows File History, you might be able to restore it.

If you use OneDrive, sign in to your OneDrive account and view your Recycle Bin. If the document is still available, you can review the file's version history.

If you've turned on File History on Windows, open the folder that the document is located in and see if there are previous versions. Recover the desired version without eradicating other vital files.

4. If you have lost data, then use Data Recovery Software to retrieve it.

 

Data recovery software can be used to locate the Word document if it is not in the Recycle Bin and if there is no backup. Ease saving new files to the drive where the document is saved. Files can be overwritten with new data, making recovery more difficult. Use compatible recovery software to scan the affected drive. If it is found in the results, retrieve it to a new storage location. It is not guaranteed that recovery will be possible, particularly if the data has already been overwritten. Create the backup files now to avoid losing Word documents again. Save often and, if available, use AutoSave. It can also be easier to get back important documents if something goes wrong by keeping copies in OneDrive or another place to back them up.

Conclusion

 

It could be useful to recover deleted Word files when the basic data is still recoverable.
You can also try Notchox data recovery software for supported Windows and macOS storage devices when you can't locate your document with any of these methods. Always attempt to recover from the Recycle Bin and existing backups before using recovery software. Prompt action may help you recover your valuable document.