5 Methods to Recover the Previous Version of Word Document 

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In cases of Word failure, accidental computer shutdown, or realizing older versions are better, a Word document must be recovered. Microsoft makes it easy to track and restore prior Word versions. This manual describes the easiest and most effective approach to restore from version history word.

Method 1: Restore previous versions of Word documents with Word AutoSave

If you save a file:

  • Word document open
  • Select file in the upper left.
  • Select Information > Manage Documents. On the right is a list of Word files called “Autosave” to help find the proper version.
  • Click Open Word Document
  • File will show tape. Save securely by clicking Recover. 

If you haven’t saved the file yet:

  • Open your Word document
  • Go to File > Information > Manage Document
  • Select unsaved document recovery
  • Open the version you want to recover.
  • After reset, save the file as a new document using the Save As option.

Method 2: Restore previous versions of Word documents with file recovery software.

When working with a Word file, your computer generates two types of files in the background:.tmp file (the latest version backup) and.asd file. (backup of unsaved files). If the previous method does not solve your problem, you can use recovery software such as WinfrGUI to recover deleted or missing.tmp or.asd files.

WinfrGUI has unique features and has a 95% recovery success rate. It can recover files from various sources such as recyclable tanks, SSDs, HDDs, external hard drives or USB flash drives. Here’s how to find previous version Word documents using WinfrGUI:

  • Download and install WinfrGUI from the official website.
  • Open the program and select the drive or folder where you lost.temp or.asd files. Press the Start button.
  • WinfrGUI scans and displays recoverable files. Unsaved files are stored in one category.
  • Use a filter or search function to quickly find the desired file type.
  • Click Recover to restore the backup of your Word document.
Download WinfrGUI Free

Method 3: Restore your Word document through the previous version of Windows.

Previous file versions are automatically copied by Windows. This capability is available in Windows 10 file surveys. So how:

  • You can recover an old Word document by going to its location.
  • Right-click file and select properties.
  • The previous version tab lists prior versions.
  • Select Open to copy the text without changing it, or Restore to replace the file.

Method 4: Restore previous version from backup

If you have a backup of your files via an external hard drive or cloud storage service, you can restore an earlier version of your Word document from backup. Here’s what you need to do:

  • Find your backup by connecting an external hard drive or logging into your cloud storage account.
  • Move to a folder containing a Word document backup
  • Search for the desired version of the document, which may contain a timer or a version number.
  • Copy the desired version and place it in your desired location on your computer or download it from a cloud storage service.

Method 5: Restore previous versions of Word documents using MS Word file history

Microsoft 365 automatically saves files in OneDrive, making version history easy to view. You must enable automatic saving in Word for Microsoft 365 and save Word files to OneDrives. Follow these steps:

  • Word document open
  • Select the top-left file.
  • Info > Version History
  • Creates a right-hand “Generation History” tab.
  • Choose a version and click Open.
  • Verify the version you want to recover and click return. Compare changes to earlier versions using the comparison option.

Bonus Tips: How to enable automatic backup in Microsoft Word

To avoid similar problems in the future, you can make Microsoft Word automatically back up your document. Follow these steps:

  • Open Word document
  • Go to File > Options
  • In the new window, go to the Advanced section, and in the Log section, the message “Always make a backup”
  • Click OK to save changes.

After enabling automatic backup, you can find older versions or Word documents that were mistakenly deleted in the following backup folders:

C:\User\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Word

Conclusion

These five methods provide a reliable solution for recovering previous versions of Word documents. Make sure your valuable work is not lost. By understanding and using these techniques, you can safely navigate document recovery situations and protect your important files. Do not let rewrite errors or unsaved changes disturb you; offer the art of recovery previous Word documents with our comprehensive guide.