Is there anyway I can retrieve a copy of my document?

Terrysdelight

Hi

I've done something very silly on a saved word document. I created the document in September but I pulled it up to use it as a template and then I forgot to save it with a new name. Basically I've overwritten an important document which I now need a copy of.

Is it gone forever?

Thanks
Terri

birkee

Yep! I'm afraid so.

McKneff

ooh bummer, been there, done that.

Terrysdelight

McKneff wrote: »

ooh bummer, been there, done that.

So have I lol - you'd think I'd have learn't buy now !!

giraffe69

Do you have a back up for any time from last September until this happened? If so it would be on there.

Dave_C_2

Too late to help the OP, but I always use windows explorer to copy and rename the file before editing. Years of experience shows that this ensures that the original is never overwritten. This is far safer than using File > Save as, a menu option which is evil. Works for all types of files.

The same experience has taught me that the computer crashes just before you back-up.

Dave

jayme1

if you are using windows 7 (or vista ultimate) right click the file in question, click properties, select 'previous versions' tab, and then select the one which is before the saving error.
you should then have a copy of your old file back.

you can also do this for the whole folder the document is in, then in the list of previous folders that come up double click one that has the un error one.

ps next time you want to use an old document as a template make a copy of the document first then just edit and save the newly made copy.

also as a last ditch attempt word saves temp saves it might (a very big might) be possible to find one of before you made the changes, you may need to use 7-zip file manager (if you cant find them by unhiding hidden files and folders), and the temp file in question might be in the folder where the document is saved, and/or it might be somewhere in *username*>AppData>*in any of the 'microsoft/office/word' folders* you would just have to go through them all.

Terrysdelight

jayme1 wrote: »

if you are using windows 7 (or vista ultimate) right click the file in question, click properties, select 'previous versions' tab, and then select the one which is before the saving error.
you should then have a copy of your old file back.

you can also do this for the whole folder the document is in, then in the list of previous folders that come up double click one that has the un error one.

ps next time you want to use an old document as a template make a copy of the document first then just edit and save the newly made copy.

also as a last ditch attempt word saves temp saves it might (a very big might) be possible to find one of before you made the changes, you may need to use 7-zip file manager (if you cant find them by unhiding hidden files and folders), and the temp file in question might be in the folder where the document is saved, and/or it might be somewhere in *username*>AppData>*in any of the 'microsoft/office/word' folders* you would just have to go through them all.

If only.... am using XP on this laptop and vista on the other. The temp thing is far too complicated for me. I'm going to go through all my paper work tomorrow - I'm praying I've got a hard copy somewhere! Thanks everyone.