My wife typed up a long Word doc and never named or saved it. Just closed it. (She's still learning)

Is there any way to recover it?

Thanks...

When you close a Word doc, it prompts you to save it. If she didn't its likely gone. You can try opening Word again and see if it recovers it.

Thanks.

That's what I thought, but was hoping there was a "secret" folder somewhere that these docs go before they disappear completely...

I have done this a few times when I was even more stupid than I am now...

I am not a computer expert at all but twice when I did it, it was still listed on the right hand column of the Word page when I opened Word again. Try to see if it is still there... hopefully

Stringer

I am a writer and I don't type more than a few words before I name the document and save it to a particular folder. Then I save every time I pause while typing for even a few seconds. It's hard on the "s" key, but I don't lose much...

Asking, you should use the Autosave feature and maybe reduce the save intervals ;)




On the Tools menu, click Options, and then click the Save tab.
Select the Save AutoRecover info every check box.
In the minutes box, specify how often you want your Microsoft Office program to save files.


This is a back up to regular Saves.

I think everyone has done this once.

I bet my wife never does it again. I thought she was going to have a stroke.

I saw a free program online called "undelete" but I'm not sure if it would work on a doc that was never named or saved.

Curlyben, do you know if autosave still works on unnamed documents?

Open Word>Tools>Options>File Locations note down the location for AutoRecovery files folder... then open this folder to check if the file is still there.

The only folder in that location is Startup.

Would the Autorecovery folder only exist after an improper shutdown? (like a power failure?)

No it would exist if the feature was enabled. :(

That's odd. I have my auto recovery enabled, but do not have an auto recovery folder??

What version of Office?

2003

I do have temp files in that location. Just not a folder called Auto Recovery.

If AutoRecovery is enabled, when you re-open Word, it will prompt you with a list of recoverable files. That's why I suggested just reloading word.

I see. Thanks SG...

If you have knowledge about DOS, there is a undelete, possible that it could be done there. Also under Windows you could look in "Recent"

I don't understand how you can delete it when it asks you 'save', yes, no, cancel? Not being smart, but curious?

Cogs,

Fair question.

My wife is new to computers and really struggling to learn. I know it seems impossible to ignore the "save question", but she gets hasty and moves too fast sometimes.

I think I made her feel pretty bad when I expressed my disbelief as she told me what she did.

I can still remember deleting a file at work many years ago when I was still learning. I think I acutally screamed out loud.

Believe me, she feels pretty stupid right now.

Good news actually. She JUST found a printed page of the file, so I'm going to scan it through OCR and try to recreate it for her.

My guess is, she will never do that again...

I appreciate you being curious vs "smart". I still consider myself a beginner, and always appreciate the help I get from you all on this board. If I got nailed for making mistakes (as I've seen with some other postings) I'd be reluctant to ask for help.

Happy Holidays...

PS: Is anyone else having trouble with spell check on this site? It hasn't worked for me in many weeks.

LETMETELLU,

Where can I find "Recent" in windows?

Start/all programs/recent

I don't have "Recent"

I have XP Home. Could that be the reason?