How to Restore Previous Version of a Word Document

You may need to recover an earlier version of a Word document after unwanted edits, accidental deletions, or a file corruption event. Word and Windows both store automatic backup copies and version histories, but many users do not know where to find them. This article explains the built-in tools to restore a previous version of a document, including Word’s Version History, AutoRecover, and Windows File History. You will learn the exact steps for each method and what to do when the usual options are not available.

How Word Saves and Stores Previous Versions

Word uses two primary mechanisms to preserve earlier document states: AutoRecover and Version History. AutoRecover saves a copy of the document at a set interval, typically every 10 minutes, to a hidden folder on your local drive. Version History, introduced in Word 2016 and available in all Microsoft 365 versions, stores named versions each time the file is saved if the document is stored on OneDrive or SharePoint. A third option, Windows Previous Versions, relies on File History or System Protection backups created by the operating system. Understanding which system is active depends on where the file is saved: locally, on a network drive, or in the cloud.

AutoRecover vs Version History vs Previous Versions

AutoRecover is a safety net for unsaved changes. It creates temporary files when Word is open and deletes them on a normal save. If Word crashes, the next launch offers to recover these files. Version History is a deliberate snapshot system: every time you save a document stored in OneDrive or SharePoint, Word keeps the prior version for later retrieval. Windows Previous Versions is not a Word feature but an OS-level backup. It stores copies of files based on File History settings or restore points. All three can coexist, but only one may contain the version you need depending on your save habits and backup configuration.

Steps to Restore a Previous Version Using Version History

This method works for documents saved to OneDrive, OneDrive for Business, or SharePoint. It does not work for files stored only on a local hard drive or external media.

1. Open the document in Word
   Make sure the file is opened from its cloud location, not a local copy downloaded from the cloud.
2. Go to File > Info
   Click the File tab, then select Info from the left navigation pane.
3. Click Version History
   On the Info page, click the button labeled Version History. A side panel opens on the right side of the window.
4. Browse the version list
   The panel shows each saved version with a timestamp and the author name. Click any version to open it in a read-only window.
5. Compare or restore the version
   In the read-only window, click Compare to see differences from the current document, or click Restore to overwrite the current file with the selected version. Confirm the restore prompt.

Steps to Recover an Unsaved Document Using AutoRecover

Use this method when Word closed unexpectedly or you closed the document without saving recent changes.

1. Open Word and check the Document Recovery pane
   After a crash, Word usually displays the Document Recovery pane on the left side of the screen. It lists any auto-recovered files. Click a file to open it, then save it with File > Save As.
2. If Document Recovery does not appear, go to File > Open > Recent
   Click Recover Unsaved Documents at the bottom of the Recent list. Word opens the folder where AutoRecover files are stored.
3. Select the .asd file
   Look for files with the .asd extension and a name matching your document. Double-click to open it, then immediately save it with File > Save As.
4. Change the AutoRecover save interval (optional)
   Go to File > Options > Save. Under Save documents, set Save AutoRecover information every to a lower number, such as 1 or 2 minutes. This increases the frequency of automatic backups.

Steps to Restore a Previous Version Using Windows File History

This method works only if you have enabled File History or System Protection in Windows. It restores a previous version of the file itself, not a Word-specific version.

1. Locate the document in File Explorer
   Navigate to the folder that contains the Word file you want to restore.
2. Right-click the file and select Properties
   In the context menu, click Properties at the bottom.
3. Go to the Previous Versions tab
   In the Properties dialog, click the Previous Versions tab. A list appears showing available earlier versions of the file with timestamps.
4. Open or restore a version
   Select a version and click Open to view it, or click Restore to replace the current file with that version. Use Restore To to save it to a different location without overwriting the current file.

If Word Still Has Issues After Restoring a Version

The Version History panel is empty

This happens when the document is not stored in OneDrive or SharePoint. Move the file to a OneDrive folder, then save it. Future saves will generate version history entries. For the current document, use AutoRecover or Windows Previous Versions instead.

AutoRecover files are missing or cannot be opened

Word may delete AutoRecover files after a successful save. If you need to recover data from a closed document that was never saved, check the folder path shown in File > Options > Save > AutoRecover file location. Look for files with the .asd extension. If no .asd files exist, the document was likely not open long enough for an auto-save to occur.

Windows Previous Versions shows no versions available

This means File History was never turned on or System Protection is disabled. To enable File History, go to Windows Settings > Update & Security > Backup and click Add a drive. To enable System Protection, go to Control Panel > System > System Protection, select the drive, and click Configure. Then choose Turn on system protection. After enabling, backups will be created on the schedule you set.

Version History vs AutoRecover vs Previous Versions

Item	Version History	AutoRecover	Windows Previous Versions
Where files are stored	OneDrive or SharePoint	Local hard drive	External drive or network location
Trigger for saving	Each manual save	Every N minutes while Word is open	Scheduled backup or restore point
Retention period	Depends on versioning settings	Deleted on normal save or after 4 days	Until backup space is full
Requires setup	No, automatic for cloud files	Enabled by default	Must be turned on in Windows
Best for	Recovering edits from hours or days ago	Recovering after a crash or accidental close	Recovering deleted or overwritten files

You can now restore a previous version of a Word document using Version History, AutoRecover, or Windows Previous Versions. Start with File > Info > Version History for cloud-stored files. For local files, use the AutoRecover folder or the Previous Versions tab in File Explorer. To avoid losing work in the future, set AutoRecover to save every 1 minute and enable File History in Windows Settings.