How to Find Recently Saved Documents?

How to find recently saved documents? Users wondering where the saved documents are on this computer can check this article and get some help.

By @Lora Last Updated September 13, 2024

What to do if you can't find a document that has been recently saved?

Users create, edit, and modify documents in Microsoft Word or other word-processing programs. Then, when finished, they save the documents to their hard drives or save them into the cloud, like OneDrive.

With the docs properly saved, users can easily access them whenever they want in the saving path/location.

Yet, there are plenty of users running into problems. A group of users is not aware of where all of documents are saved, and some don’t know how to find recently saved documents.

   
   
   
       

I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR A DOCUMENT I SAVED YESTERDAY. HOW CAN I FIND IT? Please help me to find my saved documents.

       

- Question from Microsoft Community

   

If you come here for feasible methods to find recently saved documents on this computer, you are in the right place.

How to find recently saved documents?

Check the three proven ways below to learn how to find a saved file on your computer and access your wanted docs easily.

Method 1. Target recently saved documents in Word

Most people utilize Microsoft Word to create documents. Word has offered access to users’ recently opened/modified documents.

>> With Word open, click File on the toolbar > Open > the Recent Documents panel will be on the right side of the window. Access all your recently edited docs right there.

On this panel, there is also a useful feature – Recover Unsaved Documents, which helps recover unsaved Word documents.

Method 2. Access your docs in the Documents folder

Except for Microsoft Word, users utilize other word-processing apps as well. If you cannot find your saved documents on this computer, you could turn to the Documents folder in File Explorer.

>> Press the Win+E key to start This PC/File Explorer > click Documents in the sidebar.

Now, see if your wanted documents are there.

Method 3. Search for recently saved docs in File Explorer

How to find recently saved documents if they are not in Word or the Documents folder? You could search for them efficiently using the File Explorer search tools. It facilitates users to search and filter their target files quickly.

Notes:✎...
Not only documents but could also find all photos on a computer by selecting Pictures.

Step 1. Start This PC > input the filename or the extension (e.g., doc/docx) in the search box > click Kind > Documents.

Step 2. All eligible documents will be shown. Click Date to sort the search result and find your recently saved documents on this computer faster.

Thus, you have learned how to find a saved file on your computer.

How to find recently deleted documents?

What to do if all these methods are not working as expected? If the target files are not even in the searched result, they are likely to be deleted or lost from File Explorer.

Since you have accidentally deleted files in File Explorer, you could turn to data recovery software for Windows for help.

When choosing the tools, users prefer an efficient, convenient, user-friendly, and compatible one. Among those apps, MyRecover will be a wise decision.

User-friendly. All users can perform data recovery from external and internal storage media, such as HDD, SSD, SD card, USB, CF card, etc., in only 3 steps. 
Efficient. Choose from 200+ different types of data to restore, including documents, spreadsheets, compressed files, movies, images, and more. 
Convenient. Keep the removed files' original filenames while recovering without altering their formats and paths. 
Comprehensive. Apply to a wide range of data loss instances, such as deletion, formatting, recycling bin emptying, virus attack, system crash, etc. 
Compatible. Support for NTFS, exFAT, FAT32, ReFS, Windows 11/10/8/7/Server, etc.
Download SoftwareWin 11/10/8/7/Server
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Step 1. Install and run the software >hover the mouse over the source drive where the deleted or lost documents are previously saved > click Scan.

Step 2. Input filenames or extensions, e.g., doc, docx, etc., to target your wanted documents.

Step 3. Check the Deleted files or Recycle Bin > go to the exact folder or path where the documents were stored > find and choose the deleted docs > click Recover x files. If failed to locate them, go to Other missing files > Documents > Word.

With the help of this useful tool, you can recover deleted Excel files not in the Recycle Bin quickly as well.

To sum up

Users who want to learn how to find recently saved documents can check this post and take the 3 feasible measures.

To find the recently saved documents created in Word, you could access them on the Open panel; to locate other documents, check the Documents folder in File Explorer; the search tools are also helpful and viable.

In addition, if you cannot find your target documents, they might have been deleted. But don’t worry; you could take advantage of the professional Windows data recovery app – MyRecover to get them back.