Home > Articles > Networking > Storage

Using AutoRecover to Recover Information from Damaged Files

By default, Word stores AutoRecover information about your document every 10 minutes. Word uses this AutoRecover to attempt to restore your files in the event of a system crash or power failure.

It's important to understand that AutoRecover information isn't a substitute for saving your file regularly; in fact, Microsoft changed the name of this feature from Automatic Save to emphasize this. You should still save regularly, for two reasons. First, if you save regularly, your saved file may contain more up-to-date information than the AutoRecover file. Second, AutoRecover files aren't foolproof; they can't always be used to generate reliable, complete files.

If you're concerned about the stability of your system, you can tell Word to create AutoRecover files more often. Conversely, if you find that Word slows down to create AutoRecover files too frequently, you can tell Word to create them less often. The schedule Word uses to create AutoRecover files is set in the Save tab of the Options dialog box. To change how often AutoRecover saves a file, choose Tools, Options and click the Save tab. Then, in the Save AutoRecover Info Every scroll box, enter a new setting from 1 to 120 minutes.

NOTE

By default, AutoRecover files are stored in the \Application Data\Microsoft\Word subfolder of your Windows folder. You can change this through the File Locations tab of the Tools, Options dialog box. If you do change it, however, use a local folder on your own computer, rather than a location on a network server, to maximize reliability.

Creating Automatic Backups

If you want, every time you save your file, Word can rename the previously saved version with the .bak extension, ensuring that you always have a fairly recent backup of your work. This, too, is controlled from the Save tab of the Options dialog box. Check the Always Create Backup Copy check box.

When you use this feature, Word disables Fast Saves, so your saves will be somewhat slower, especially if you are working with long documents.

NOTE

Fast Saves are fast for the same reason it's faster to throw your clothes on the chair rather than hang them in the closet. With Fast Saves, Word doesn't actually put the changes where they belong; it simply makes a list of the changes that will be integrated the next time Word saves normally. (In fact, if you open a Fast Saved file in a text editor such as Notepad, you may well see text you thought you deleted.) When the list of changes gets very long, Word does a normal save to put things back in order.

CAUTION

If you're using Fast Saves, turn it off before you save a Word file that will be exported to another program. Other software may not understand Word's Fast Saves "to-do lists."

Also be aware that because Fast Save may not immediately delete information from your document that you think you've deleted, it can be a security risk.

To turn off Fast Saves, choose Tools, Options and click the Save tab; then clear the Allow Fast Saves check box.

Saving Local Backups

If you typically save to a network drive or a removable disk such as a Zip disk, you can tell Word to automatically save a duplicate copy of your file on your local hard disk. To do so, choose Tools, Options and click the Save tab; then check the Make Local Copy of Files Stored on Network or Removable Drives check box.

Microsoft Office Application Recovery

If Word stops responding, Office XP includes a tool you can use to try to kick start Word: Microsoft Office Application Recovery. To run it, choose Start, Programs, Microsoft Office Tools, Microsoft Office Application Recovery. The Microsoft Office Application Recovery dialog box appears (see Figure 3.18).

Any Office XP application that Windows reports as frozen is listed in this dialog box. To attempt to start Word running again, select Word from the list and click Recover Application. To close Word, click End Application.

Figure 3.18 Using Microsoft Office Application Recovery, you can attempt to get an unresponsive Word to start working again, or simply exit Word.

If Microsoft Office Application Recovery cannot recover Word, try closing it instead, using the End Application command. If you can't close it through the Application Recovery applet, in Windows 2000 and NT 4.0 you can press Ctrl+Alt+Del, select Microsoft Word from the Windows Task Manager, and choose End Task. In Windows 98 and Me, press Ctrl+Alt+Del, select Microsoft Word from the Close Program dialog box, and choose End Task.

Using Office Safe Mode

Over the years, Word users have sometimes encountered startup problems—and these startup problems have often been caused by errant add-ins or extensions, or damaged templates. Word 2002 and Office XP now contain a Safe Mode that allows Word to start, while disabling a component causing a problem.

In Automated Safe Mode, Word encounters a problem that prevents startup, it displays a message identifying the component that appears to be causing it and offers you an opportunity to disable that component. If you disable the component, Word typically starts. Of course, you won't have access to the capabilities of that component.

To view a list of the components Word has currently disabled, choose Help, About Microsoft Word and click the Disabled Items button.

If any components are listed in the Disabled Items dialog box, you can select one and click Enable to manually enable it. In certain cases, the component may then work properly. However, if you re-enable an item that Word has trouble with loading at startup, the item may be automatically disabled again the next time you start Word.

Keep in mind that Safe Mode disables certain Word features. Most notably, your interface and AutoCorrect customizations aren't loaded, and you can't save new or changed templates. For a more detailed list of Safe Mode restrictions, search the Help system for "Safe Mode."

NOTE

If a component is disabled, visit the component provider's Web site to see whether a fix, workaround, or new version is available.

TIP

You can start any Office application in Safe Mode manually. Press the Ctrl button while you're starting Word. (Microsoft calls this User-Initiated Safe Mode.)

InformIT Promotional Mailings & Special Offers

I would like to receive exclusive offers and hear about products from InformIT and its family of brands. I can unsubscribe at any time.

Overview


Pearson Education, Inc., 221 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, (Pearson) presents this site to provide information about products and services that can be purchased through this site.

This privacy notice provides an overview of our commitment to privacy and describes how we collect, protect, use and share personal information collected through this site. Please note that other Pearson websites and online products and services have their own separate privacy policies.

Collection and Use of Information


To conduct business and deliver products and services, Pearson collects and uses personal information in several ways in connection with this site, including:

Questions and Inquiries

For inquiries and questions, we collect the inquiry or question, together with name, contact details (email address, phone number and mailing address) and any other additional information voluntarily submitted to us through a Contact Us form or an email. We use this information to address the inquiry and respond to the question.

Online Store

For orders and purchases placed through our online store on this site, we collect order details, name, institution name and address (if applicable), email address, phone number, shipping and billing addresses, credit/debit card information, shipping options and any instructions. We use this information to complete transactions, fulfill orders, communicate with individuals placing orders or visiting the online store, and for related purposes.

Surveys

Pearson may offer opportunities to provide feedback or participate in surveys, including surveys evaluating Pearson products, services or sites. Participation is voluntary. Pearson collects information requested in the survey questions and uses the information to evaluate, support, maintain and improve products, services or sites, develop new products and services, conduct educational research and for other purposes specified in the survey.

Contests and Drawings

Occasionally, we may sponsor a contest or drawing. Participation is optional. Pearson collects name, contact information and other information specified on the entry form for the contest or drawing to conduct the contest or drawing. Pearson may collect additional personal information from the winners of a contest or drawing in order to award the prize and for tax reporting purposes, as required by law.

Newsletters

If you have elected to receive email newsletters or promotional mailings and special offers but want to unsubscribe, simply email information@informit.com.

Service Announcements

On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a strictly service related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance we might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications, though they can deactivate their account information. However, these communications are not promotional in nature.

Customer Service

We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regard to issues relating to their account we reply via email or phone in accordance with the users' wishes when a user submits their information through our Contact Us form.

Other Collection and Use of Information


Application and System Logs

Pearson automatically collects log data to help ensure the delivery, availability and security of this site. Log data may include technical information about how a user or visitor connected to this site, such as browser type, type of computer/device, operating system, internet service provider and IP address. We use this information for support purposes and to monitor the health of the site, identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents and appropriately scale computing resources.

Web Analytics

Pearson may use third party web trend analytical services, including Google Analytics, to collect visitor information, such as IP addresses, browser types, referring pages, pages visited and time spent on a particular site. While these analytical services collect and report information on an anonymous basis, they may use cookies to gather web trend information. The information gathered may enable Pearson (but not the third party web trend services) to link information with application and system log data. Pearson uses this information for system administration and to identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents, appropriately scale computing resources and otherwise support and deliver this site and its services.

Cookies and Related Technologies

This site uses cookies and similar technologies to personalize content, measure traffic patterns, control security, track use and access of information on this site, and provide interest-based messages and advertising. Users can manage and block the use of cookies through their browser. Disabling or blocking certain cookies may limit the functionality of this site.

Do Not Track

This site currently does not respond to Do Not Track signals.

Security


Pearson uses appropriate physical, administrative and technical security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use and disclosure.

Children


This site is not directed to children under the age of 13.

Marketing


Pearson may send or direct marketing communications to users, provided that

  • Pearson will not use personal information collected or processed as a K-12 school service provider for the purpose of directed or targeted advertising.
  • Such marketing is consistent with applicable law and Pearson's legal obligations.
  • Pearson will not knowingly direct or send marketing communications to an individual who has expressed a preference not to receive marketing.
  • Where required by applicable law, express or implied consent to marketing exists and has not been withdrawn.

Pearson may provide personal information to a third party service provider on a restricted basis to provide marketing solely on behalf of Pearson or an affiliate or customer for whom Pearson is a service provider. Marketing preferences may be changed at any time.

Correcting/Updating Personal Information


If a user's personally identifiable information changes (such as your postal address or email address), we provide a way to correct or update that user's personal data provided to us. This can be done on the Account page. If a user no longer desires our service and desires to delete his or her account, please contact us at customer-service@informit.com and we will process the deletion of a user's account.

Choice/Opt-out


Users can always make an informed choice as to whether they should proceed with certain services offered by InformIT. If you choose to remove yourself from our mailing list(s) simply visit the following page and uncheck any communication you no longer want to receive: www.informit.com/u.aspx.

Sale of Personal Information


Pearson does not rent or sell personal information in exchange for any payment of money.

While Pearson does not sell personal information, as defined in Nevada law, Nevada residents may email a request for no sale of their personal information to NevadaDesignatedRequest@pearson.com.

Supplemental Privacy Statement for California Residents


California residents should read our Supplemental privacy statement for California residents in conjunction with this Privacy Notice. The Supplemental privacy statement for California residents explains Pearson's commitment to comply with California law and applies to personal information of California residents collected in connection with this site and the Services.

Sharing and Disclosure


Pearson may disclose personal information, as follows:

  • As required by law.
  • With the consent of the individual (or their parent, if the individual is a minor)
  • In response to a subpoena, court order or legal process, to the extent permitted or required by law
  • To protect the security and safety of individuals, data, assets and systems, consistent with applicable law
  • In connection the sale, joint venture or other transfer of some or all of its company or assets, subject to the provisions of this Privacy Notice
  • To investigate or address actual or suspected fraud or other illegal activities
  • To exercise its legal rights, including enforcement of the Terms of Use for this site or another contract
  • To affiliated Pearson companies and other companies and organizations who perform work for Pearson and are obligated to protect the privacy of personal information consistent with this Privacy Notice
  • To a school, organization, company or government agency, where Pearson collects or processes the personal information in a school setting or on behalf of such organization, company or government agency.

Links


This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects Personal Information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.

Requests and Contact


Please contact us about this Privacy Notice or if you have any requests or questions relating to the privacy of your personal information.

Changes to this Privacy Notice


We may revise this Privacy Notice through an updated posting. We will identify the effective date of the revision in the posting. Often, updates are made to provide greater clarity or to comply with changes in regulatory requirements. If the updates involve material changes to the collection, protection, use or disclosure of Personal Information, Pearson will provide notice of the change through a conspicuous notice on this site or other appropriate way. Continued use of the site after the effective date of a posted revision evidences acceptance. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about the Privacy Notice or any objection to any revisions.

Last Update: November 17, 2020