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Tech Tip : Turn On AutoRecover In Microsoft Office Apps

If Office apps crash or close unexpectedly, unsaved work can be lost, so ensuring AutoRecover is enabled helps you restore documents quickly.

Why This Matters

Unexpected issues such as system crashes, power cuts or software errors can cause Office apps to close without warning.

If your work has not been saved, it may appear lost.

AutoRecover is designed to automatically save temporary versions of your files at regular intervals, allowing you to recover recent changes when you reopen the app.

This is especially important when working on new files or documents stored locally rather than in the cloud.

How To Check AutoRecover In Word, Excel Or PowerPoint

1. Open Word, Excel or PowerPoint.
2. Click ‘File’, then select ‘Options’.
3. Go to the ‘Save’ section.
4. Make sure ‘Save AutoRecover information every X minutes’ is ticked.
5. Set the interval to a suitable time, for example ‘every 5 minutes’.
6. Ensure ‘Keep the last AutoRecovered version if I close without saving’ is also enabled.

Click ‘OK’ to confirm your settings.

What To Expect

• The document recovery panel should appear when you reopen the app after an unexpected closure.
• You can choose from recent versions saved automatically.
• You can open, compare or restore the version you need.

What To Watch For

• AutoRecover does not replace proper saving or backup.
• Very recent changes may still be lost depending on the save interval.
• Files stored in OneDrive or SharePoint benefit from both AutoSave and version history.

A Practical Approach

Check your AutoRecover settings now rather than relying on them when something goes wrong.

A small adjustment can make the difference between losing work completely and recovering it in seconds.