Is there a way to retrieve a previous saved file?

Find Out If You Need Recovery Software

As long as you haven't deleted the file from your computer, there is probably a way to find and recover a previously saved version. If you have already emptied the contents of the Recycle Bin, then you will need to buy some more advanced data retrieval software to recover the missing file like Paretologic's Data Recovery.

Search your Computer

The first step is to look for the original file document and hope that it is still on your computer.

1. Click Start, the Search
2. On the lower left side of the window, choose Click Here to Use Search Companion
3. On the Search Companion screen, choose All Files and Folders
4. In the box called All Or Part of the File Name Box, type in the name of the file that you are looking for
5. In the Look In box, choose My Computer, and then Search

Check the Recycle Bin

If you have deleted the file from your documents or from your desktop, then you might be able to recover it from the Recycle Bin.

1. Click twice on Recycle Bin on the desktop
2. Under the View Menu, choose Details
3. Click Arrange Icons By
4. Choose Date Deleted
5. Scroll through and look for your missing file. If you find it, right click then choose Restore

Search for a Backup Copy

If not, and if the missing file is a Word Document, you can look for a saved backup copy. In Word 2007:

1.  
   • Click the Microsoft Office Button
   • Choose Word Options
   • Click Advanced
   • Scroll down to the Save section
   • Check if the Always Create a Backup setting is selected
   • If so, there is a backup
   • If not, you might want to change this setting now for the future

If the setting is selected, the backup file will be saved in the same location as the original but will have a .wbk extension instead of the usual .doc Word extension. If not, go back and repeat the steps to Search Your Computer and enter *.wbk in the Search box.

Search for a Temporary File

If you are still looking, you can try to find a version of the file in your temporary files.

1. Follow the instructions above to Search Your Computer
2. In the All Or Part of the File Name box type in *.TMP
3. Then follow the same directions as above to search the computer

I hope these tips work! Good luck!

Kate Dubensky | May 12th, 2009
Tags: Data Recovery, file backup, file versions, temporary files
Categories: Data Recovery

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