Options to Recover Unsaved PowerPoint (PPT) Files

Megha Chouhan

Updated On - October 18, 2022

Firstly, let discuss, have you ever imagined if you lost your PPT file due to a system crash or power off and even you didn’t save the file?

Every time whenever you try to close an unsaved PowerPoint file, the program will display a message dialog box with Save, Don’t save, and Cancel options. This message reminds you that the file won’t close without saving the most recent changes until you confirm again. Even though this provision, sometimes it happens that open programs are closed without saving due to unforeseen situations can also cause the program to close without saving and data lost.

What is the purpose of using MS PowerPoint?

Microsoft Office plays a significant role in the day-to-day working life of plenty of professionals, but also in the private life of many people. Above all, the popular PowerPoint program is responsible for the development of the “powerful presentation” that has recently become standard for most companies. Therefore important presentation is now only created using PowerPoint. Generally speaking, this is a safe practice. An essential advantage of digital presentations, unlike paper presentations, they can be edited, adapted, and reorganized at any time and with an eye-catchy effect.

PowerPoint is a common tool used to do a presentation. Basically, MS PowerPoint is a program that is included in the Microsoft Office suite. This software is generally used to design presentations for educational and professional purposes. PPT files are used to store all kinds of slides, videos, texts, images, etc., Now, don’t worry today in this blog, we shall discuss in detail how to recover unsaved PPT files.

Follow the following tips to avoid loss of PPT data or file

• Try to keep saving your file manually because if in the worst situation system gets crashed or any unforeseen issue arises, in that case, one can easily get their file back.
• Always keep multiple backups you can either backup your PPT, PPTX files to a different storage device or use the backup features on your systems. Both Windows and Mac OS offer some advanced features that allow you to back up your files safely.
• Verify that your PPT AutoRecover has been turned on which will help you to recover your deleted or unsaved files without hassle.
• Having a UPS can be beneficial, it avoids data loss due to power off.
• Try to save software and important data like media files on different drives to avoid data loss.

There are also situations that may illuminate the disadvantages of exclusively storing your PPT digitally. A system crash or a power cut can interrupt work on an important presentation, a program error can corrupt PPT files, or an indispensable presentation can be accidentally modified or deleted, all of which render hours or even days of work a complete waste of time. But don’t worry, Microsoft PowerPoint offers several methods or solutions that can help you recover unsaved PPT files you thought you lost.

Method 1- Recover Unsaved Presentation

To retrieve an unsaved PPT, PowerPoint offers an integrated function. To understand its application, follow the steps given below-

• Open the PowerPoint on your PC

Click on the File tab in the upper left corner

• Choose Open and click Recover Unsaved Presentations in the bottom right corner in the recent appear section.
• The Saved Drafts folder will open. Find your file and double-click on it to open. Then save the file.
  

Method 2- The Auto Recover function

There is another way that will help to recover unsaved PowerPoint files i.e. Auto Recover function. PowerPoint is known for its integrated function application which automatically saves an open presentation. If you’ve already enabled the AutoRecover function, then one can directly restore the unsaved PPT file from the AutoRecover folder on your PC.

But if you didn’t have enabled the AutoRecoverfunction, We’ll show you how to activate the function and avoid losing your files by following steps-

• Open a PowerPoint presentation
• choose the File tab

Check out these inbuilt options to recover unsaved PPT files



• Select Options and Go to Save





Afterward, make sure that you have checked the box saying “Save auto-recover info every 10 minutes”, and the box saying “Keep the last Auto recovered version if I close without saving”.

• After all changes click on the Ok button to save the changes. Now The AutoRecover function is enabled.

Method3

Now you already have enabled the AutoRecover function, follow the following steps to get your unsaved PPT file back.

• Copy the file destination path from “Auto Recover file location”.
  • Click the “File” “Options” – “Save”.
• Open Windows Explorer, paste the path on the address bar and click “Enter” to search the lost unsaved PowerPoint file

Now there, you will be able to see a folder named “MYPRESENTAION” or “PRESENTATION”.

• Open the folder, you’ll find your unsaved PowerPoint file. And now open it with PowerPoint and save it to another secure location as per your requirement.

If you are dealing with PowerPoint Error – “PowerPoint cannot open the type of file represented by
filename.ppt” or even with PowerPoint’s recovery features, the best way to ensure that you don’t lose
much progress is to save your work regularly.

Summing up

To sum up, on this page, In the case of your computer or PowerPoint crashing before you’ve had the chance to save your work, don’t panic just yet! In most cases, there’s no cause for concern: PowerPoint has a built-in lifeline that allows you to undo the damage. There are 3 reliable methods to help you restore unsaved PPT files on Windows PC. Or if you failed to recover file from the above-discussed methods, then you can try some third-party tool like Recoveryfix for PowerPoint Recovery which repair all types of corrupt and damaged PowerPoint files PPT, PPTX, PPS, and PPXS Files. It supports all versions of MS PowerPoint.