If the Always create backup copy option is selected, there may be a backup copy of the file.
Note To locate this option, click Options on the Tools menu, and then click the Save tab.
To find the backup copy of the file, follow these steps:
1. Locate the folder in which you last saved the missing file.
2. Search for files with the .wbk file name extension.
If you find any files that have the name "Backup of" followed by the name of the missing file, follow these steps, as appropriate for the version of Word that you are running.
Word 2007
Start Word 2007.
Click the Microsoft Office Button, and then click Open.
In the Files of type list, click All Files.
Click the backup file that you found, and then click Open.
Microsoft Word 2002 or Microsoft Office Word 2003
Start Word.
On the File menu, click Open.
Point to the arrow in the Files of type box, click All Files *.*, select the file, and then click Open.
If there is no .wbk file in the original folder, search the computer for any .wbk files. To do this, follow these steps, as appropriate for the version of Windows that you are running.
Windows Vista
Click Start
, type *.wbk in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER.
If the File list contains the backup file, repeat the steps in step 2 ("Search for files with the .wbk file name extension) to open the file.
If the File list does not contain the backup file, continue to Method 3.
Windows XP
Click Start, point to Search, and then click For Files or Folders.
In the Search for files or folders named box, type *.WBK.
In the Look in box, point to the arrow, and then click My Computer.
Click Search Now.