PowerPoint AutoRecover File Location: How to Change in Trust Center

You need to find or change where PowerPoint saves AutoRecover files when a crash or power loss strikes. By default, PowerPoint stores these temporary backups in a hidden system folder that most users cannot easily browse. This article explains how to locate the current AutoRecover folder and how to change it to a custom path using the Trust Center settings in PowerPoint.

Why PowerPoint Hides AutoRecover Files in a System Folder

PowerPoint stores AutoRecover files in a folder tied to your user account to prevent accidental deletion or unauthorized access. The default location is %appdata%\Microsoft\PowerPoint\, which resolves to C:\Users\[YourUserName]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\PowerPoint\. Because the AppData folder is hidden by default in Windows File Explorer, most users cannot browse to it without revealing hidden items. This design protects recovery files from being deleted by cleanup tools or inexperienced users.

When you change the AutoRecover file location in the Trust Center, PowerPoint writes all future AutoRecover files to your chosen folder. The old folder retains any previously saved files. Changing the location does not delete existing recovery files. You can also set a network path, but the folder must be writable by your user account at all times.

Steps to Change the AutoRecover File Location in PowerPoint

1. Open PowerPoint and go to File > Options
   This opens the PowerPoint Options dialog. Do not click the Save category yet.
2. Select the Save category on the left panel
   Scroll down to the section labeled Save presentations. The field AutoRecover file location shows the current path. You can copy this path for reference, but you cannot change it here in some versions of PowerPoint.
3. Switch to Trust Center settings
   In the PowerPoint Options dialog, click Trust Center on the left panel, then click the Trust Center Settings button.
4. Open the File Storage section
   In the Trust Center dialog, locate and click File Storage on the left. You will see the AutoRecover file location field at the top of the right panel.
5. Type or browse to your new folder path
   Click the Browse button to select an existing folder, or type the full path manually. The folder must already exist — PowerPoint does not create it for you. Use a local folder like D:\PowerPoint_Recovery or a network path like \\FileServer\Shares\PPTRecovery.
6. Click OK in all open dialogs
   First click OK in the Trust Center dialog, then click OK in the PowerPoint Options dialog. Restart PowerPoint for the change to take effect.

If PowerPoint Still Saves to the Old Location After Changing It

PowerPoint is still running with cached settings

Close all PowerPoint windows completely, including any background processes. Use Task Manager to end the POWERPNT.EXE process if it persists. Reopen PowerPoint and test by creating a new presentation, typing a few words, and waiting 10 minutes. The AutoRecover file should appear in your new folder.

You changed the path in the Save category instead of Trust Center

In some PowerPoint versions (especially Microsoft 365 and PowerPoint 2021), the Save category shows the current AutoRecover path but does not allow you to edit it. The only way to change it is through the Trust Center as described above. If you typed a path in the Save category and it did not stick, use the Trust Center method instead.

The new folder does not have write permissions

PowerPoint cannot save AutoRecover files to a folder where your user account lacks write permission. This is common with network folders or folders under C:\Program Files. Create a folder under your user profile, such as C:\Users\[YourUserName]\PowerPoint_Recovery, and grant your user account Full Control.

PowerPoint Default AutoRecover Location vs Trust Center Custom Path

Item	Default Location	Custom Path (Trust Center)
Folder path	%appdata%\Microsoft\PowerPoint\	Any writable folder you choose
Visibility in File Explorer	Hidden (AppData folder)	Visible if you choose a non-hidden folder
Accessible from File > Options > Save	Read-only display	Same display after change
Persistence across updates	Resets to default after major Office update	Persists unless you change it again
Network path support	No	Yes, if folder is writable

After changing the AutoRecover file location, verify the new path by opening a presentation, waiting for an AutoRecover save to occur (about every 10 minutes by default), and then checking the folder for files with the .asd extension. You can also force a recovery by closing PowerPoint without saving and reopening it. The Document Recovery pane will show files from your new folder. For advanced users, consider setting the AutoRecover save interval to 1 minute in File > Options > Save to minimize data loss during a crash.