Overwrite content of Word, Exit the program. How do I recover this?

Question

I am writing an important paper. I need it back in 20 mins or I'm doomed.

Basically I overwrote the content of my word document. Then I closed Word. When I reopen it, I wasn't given the option to recover it. Revision history has no backup...

What can I do to get my original document back?

Thanks.

Answer 1

It's a long shot, but there are a couple of things you can try:

1. Disable hiding "hidden" files and check your document's folder for temporary saves (~WRD????.TMP).

   These files should be deleted on a clean exit, but sometimes they won't.

2. Install Recuva and search for deleted files in your document's folder.

   With a little luck, one of the deleted temporary saves will save you.

Answer 2

You need a file recovery program to do this sort of thing. However, there are the following issues:

1. They usually cost a lot of money.
2. They take longer than 20 minutes to run.
3. They work best on deleted files, and some of them may have issues completely recovering a file that was simply changed and overwritten.

Answer 3

In Windows Vista or 7, go to the file in My documents, right-click it, press Properties, open the Previous Versions tab, and wait to see if you have a backup.

Good luck!