Recover an earlier version of a Word file

If the AutoRecover option is turned on, you can automatically save versions of your file while you’re working on it. How you recover something depends on when you saved it.

If you’ve saved the file

Office 2016 Manage Documents

  1. Open the file you were working on.
  2. Select File >Info.
  3. Under Manage Documents, select the file labeled (when I closed without saving).

Office 2016 Restore Documents

In the bar at the top of the file, select Restore to overwrite any previously saved versions.

Tip: You can also compare versions by selecting Compare instead of Restore.

If you haven’t saved the file

Office 2016 Recover Unsaved Documents

  1. Go to File >Info >Manage Document >Recover Unsaved Documents.

Office 2016 Save Recovered File

In the bar at the top of the file, select Save As to save the file.