Can't Get Rid of Unwanted Recovery File

Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated December 30, 2023)
This tip applies to Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003


Kim recounts an experience where Word 2003 saved a file automatically during a time when the workstation shut down abnormally. Ever since that time Word has repeatedly requested some attention to permanently recover the file. The user took no action to recover the file and, instead, physically deleted it. As a result Word, on every second occasion, requests some action with the 'auto recovered' (now deleted) file. This file recovery request has now infiltrated its way other users on the LAN. Now everyone enjoys the annoyance of every second opening of Word being greeted with the auto recovery pane seeking some user action for the same file. Kim is wondering how to best handle this situation.

There are a couple of things that can be tried. First, start by doing some diagnostics on the drive in question. Run the built-in Windows programs that check the disk and file structure for any errors, and correct any that show up.

Second, look in Word for the location where it is storing AutoRecover files. (You can see this on the File Locations tab of the Options dialog box.) Write down the path for the folder, then close Word and use Windows to delete everything in the folder.

You will also want to make sure that once you delete the files that nothing else is getting put in that folder. If you have another program that is using the same folder for storing information, it is possible that Word is incorrectly assuming that those files are, somehow, files that need to be recovered. (If you are unsure whether any other programs are using the folder, then simply change the location of the AutoRecover folder, in Word, to some new folder you create.)

If that doesn't work, you should consider giving Word the file it is looking for. Make note of the desired file name the next time the error message comes up. Look in the person's Recycle Bin and, if the file is still there, restore it. If it is not there, then copy a Word document to the AutoRecover folder and then rename it to the filename that Word is looking for. Then restart Word and allow it to do whatever it wants to do with the file.

WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (6395) applies to Microsoft Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003.

Author Bio

Allen Wyatt

With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. ...

MORE FROM ALLEN

Unhiding a Single Column

In a worksheet with lots of hidden columns it is a real pain to try to unhide just one or two columns. The best solution ...

Discover More

Printing a Range of Pages

If your worksheet, when printed, requires more than a single page to print, you may want to only print a range of the ...

Discover More

AutoFilling Numbers with a Trailing Period

The AutoFill tool is very handy when it comes to quickly filling cells with a sequence of values. Sometimes, however, it ...

Discover More

The First and Last Word on Word! Bestselling For Dummies author Dan Gookin puts his usual fun and friendly candor back to work to show you how to navigate Word 2013. Spend more time working and less time trying to figure it all out! Check out Word 2013 For Dummies today!

More WordTips (menu)

Document Size Changes

When you last upgraded Word, did you notice a change in the size of your document files?

Discover More

Saving Form Data for a Database

Use Word to create a form, and you can easily collect standardized data from a large number of users. When it comes time ...

Discover More

Removing Hidden Personal Information From a Document

Word maintains a few pieces of personal information with each document file you save. Getting rid of this information can ...

Discover More
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is 0 + 7?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)


This Site

Got a version of Word that uses the menu interface (Word 97, Word 2000, Word 2002, or Word 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.

Videos
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

View the most recent newsletter.