How to recover unsaved Microsoft Project file
Accidentally losing an unsaved Microsoft Project file can be a frustrating experience, especially when you have spent hours working on it. However, there are several methods you can try to recover your unsaved project file. In this article, we will discuss the steps to recover an unsaved Microsoft Project file and provide some tips to prevent future data loss.
1. Check the Recycle Bin
The first place to look for your unsaved Microsoft Project file is the Recycle Bin. If you have deleted the file, it might still be in the Recycle Bin. To recover the file, follow these steps:
- Open the Recycle Bin by clicking on the icon on your desktop or by searching for “Recycle Bin” in the Start menu.
- Locate the unsaved Microsoft Project file in the Recycle Bin.
- Right-click on the file and select “Restore.” The file will be restored to its original location.
2. Use the “Undo” feature
Microsoft Project has an “Undo” feature that can sometimes recover unsaved changes. To use this feature, follow these steps:
- Open Microsoft Project.
- Go to the “Edit” menu and select “Undo” or press “Ctrl + Z” on your keyboard.
- Check if the unsaved changes have been restored. If they have, you can save the file to preserve the changes.
3. Check the autosave location
Microsoft Project automatically saves a copy of your project file at regular intervals. To recover an unsaved file using the autosave feature, follow these steps:
- Open Microsoft Project.
- Go to the “File” menu and select “Open Recent.” If your unsaved file is listed, you can open it from there.
- If the file is not listed, go to the autosave location. By default, the autosave location is “C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Office\[Office Version]\Project Files\Autosave.” You can search for the file using the search function in your operating system.
- Open the autosave file and save it with a new name to preserve your work.
4. Use a third-party recovery tool
If the above methods do not work, you can try using a third-party recovery tool. These tools are designed to recover deleted or lost files from various storage devices, including your computer’s hard drive. Some popular recovery tools include:
- Recuva
- Stellar Data Recovery
- EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard
5. Backup your files regularly
The best way to prevent data loss is to backup your files regularly. You can use an external hard drive, a USB flash drive, or cloud storage services like OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox to backup your Microsoft Project files. By doing so, you can easily recover your files in case of accidental deletion or loss.
In conclusion, recovering an unsaved Microsoft Project file can be challenging, but there are several methods you can try. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can increase your chances of recovering your lost project file. Additionally, backing up your files regularly will help you avoid future data loss.
