[Quick Guide] How to Recover Unsaved Excel File on Windows

How do I recover unsaved Excel files?

Sudden system crashes or power outages can cause crucial files to lose. One of the most frustrating situations is when you have worked on an Excel file for weeks, but it is lost unexpectedly due to not being saved in time. Don’t lose hope. There are two functional ways provided in this section to recover unsaved Excel files on Windows.

Recover unsaved Excel files from the Temp folder

In Windows, temporary files are generated by the operating system or applications to store short-term data, often used to store data or improve system efficiency. These files are typically stored in the Temp folder on the C drive. If your Excel files were unsaved before disappearing, their copies might have been stored in that location.

Here are the steps to recover unsaved Excel files on Windows 10:

Step 1: Navigate to the temporary file location using this path: C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Local\Temp

Step 2: Find the desired Excel file here and change its extension from .tmp to .xls or .xlsx as you like.

Step 3: Open and save this file properly to the specified location.

Recover unsaved Excel files from using AutoRecover

In addition to the Temp folder, Microsoft Excel also provides an AutoRecover feature to help users restore unsaved works in case of unexpected interruptions. This feature can automatically backup data at regular intervals. And you are allowed to customize these intervals as needed. There are two recovery scenarios, as follows:

If your Excel files were unsaved before the system crashed, follow these steps to recover them:

Step 1: Open Microsoft Excel, and click File > Open > Recent in turn.

Step 2: Select Recover Unsaved Workbooks at the interface bottom.

Step 3: Find the Excel file you lost, open it, and save it to the specified location.

On the other hand, if you need to recover previously saved Excel files that were closed without saving recent changes, follow the steps below:

Step 1: Open Microsoft Excel once your computer is working properly; all unsaved files will be displayed on the Document Recovery pane.

Step 2: Select the Excel file you want and save it to the specified location.

What if your Excel files are deleted?

We have covered how to recover unsaved Excel files, but what if your Excel files are deleted? Occasionally, system failure or operation errors can lead some important files to lose directly. Is it possible to restore deleted Excel files on Windows?

Of course. In this section, three easy and useful approaches for addressing common file loss scenarios will be presented.

Recover deleted Excel files with software

One of the most straightforward solutions for recovering deleted Excel files is to use reliable third-party recovery software. This method not only simplifies recovery procedures but also increases the chances of recovering lost data.

While there are many recovery products available, I highly recommend AOMEI FastRecovery to you. This professional recovery tool allows you to effortlessly retrieve various types of deleted or corrupted files from different storage devices on Windows PCs and servers. Simply follow its user-friendly instructions to start your recovery experience with ease.

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Here are detailed steps on how to recover deleted Excel files:

Step 1: Download and install AOMEI FastRecovery, and then choose the exact partition or disk where your files are located.

Step 2: Scan your disk thoroughly to find the deleted Excel files. 

Step 3: After scanning, all missing files will be displayed. Kindly choose the specific files and then click Recover.

Step 4: Specify a path for the file and wait for the process to complete.

Recover deleted Excel files via Recycle Bin

Furthermore, recovering deleted files from the Recycle Bin also works in most situations. Generally, deleted files are stored temporarily there and can be restored easily with a few simple steps. So, if your files are deleted unexpectedly on your PC, go to check the Recycle Bin.

Follow these steps to recover deleted Excel files from the Recycle Bin:

Step 1: Open the Recycle Bin at the desktop.

Step 2: Select the Excel files you want to recover. 

Step 3: Right-click on the files and click the Restore option. Just wait until they are restored to their original locations.

Recover deleted Excel files through File History

In addition to the methods mentioned above, recovering deleted Excel files via File History is also available. This feature can help you back up files regularly and offer recovery service when the files are deleted or damaged abruptly. It allows you to store multiple versions of files and offers a flexible recovery option when necessary. If you have enabled File History beforehand, try to recover your deleted Excel files through it.

The detailed recovery steps are as follows:

Step 1: Go to the Control Panel, and select System and Security > File History in turn.

Step 2: Click Restore personal files.

Step 3: Choose the files you want to recover, and then click the Recover button.

What causes Excel files to lose?

Understanding what causes our Excel files to lose is equally crucial, which can also help us avoid future data loss. There are several common factors that may lead to accidental loss of Excel files, including:

►Accidental Deletion: Most file loss arises from operating errors, such as accidentally pressing the delete key, unintentional formatting, or overwriting. These improper actions often result in being unable to locate the corresponding files in their original location.

►Software Bugs: When you are creating or editing files in software, bugs or glitches may prevent your files from being saved in time.

►System Issues: Hardware failures, operating system errors, or sudden power outages may all lead to file system crashes, which have a severe impact on file structure and integrity.

►Plugin Conflicts: Incompatible or outdated plugins can cause your file loss or corruption. Consider disabling or updating these plugins to resolve such problems.

FAQs

Q1: Where are unsaved Excel files stored?

Unsaved Excel files are typically stored in the Temp folder or the AutoRecover folder. This post provides solutions for both scenarios separately. You can access your unsaved Excel files by following the corresponding steps.

Q2: Can I recover unsaved Excel files if AutoRecover is disabled?

Absolutely! You are able to recover unsaved Excel files from the Temp folder. If you are used to backing up data regularly, retrieving lost files through backups is also a good option. To prevent future file loss, it is recommended to switch on AutoRecover in advance and set the backup intervals according to your own needs.

Q3: How often does Excel automatically save files using AutoRecover?

It’s totally up to you. AutoRecover backs up your data every 10 minutes by default. You can also shorten the intervals to frequently create backups. Go to File > Options > Save in turn and customize your preferred intervals.

Summary

Excel is widely used for organizing and handling data during regular use but also susceptible to data loss, especially when system crashes or software bugs unexpectedly. In this post, we have explored how to recover unsaved Excel files on Windows. But what if your files are deleted? There are also three functional recovery methods to get them back. To simplify the recovery process and enhance the user experience, using a professional recovery tool is also an excellent option.