

What To Do If you Lose your Presentation
January 4, 2019

Imagine, you burnt the midnight oil and clocked countless hours working on a very important PowerPoint Presentation. You exit out of your presentation, grab a snack and after you return to your PC, you discover that your PowerPoint file is missing! Of course, the question that immediately pops up in your mind is whether you can recover your presentation or not. If you’re an Office 365 subscriber and you have got AutoSave running (that saves your changes in real-time) you ought to be fine as a result of your file being autosaved within the cloud. If you’re not an Office 365 subscriber, there are many options that you could implement recover your PowerPoint file. Some of them are :
1.) Recovering Unsaved Presentations If you were interrupted before you ever got the possibility of saving your PowerPoint file, you will be able to simply look for it in the Microsoft Unsaved Files folder.
To do this: 1.) Click the “File” tab in the Ribbon 2.) Click the “Open” command at the left side of the backstage view 3.) At the bottom of the pane that appears to the right, you should see a “Recover Unsaved Presentations” button. Click this button to launch an “Open” window. This window box displays recovered copies of unsaved presentations 4.) Choose the copy to recover from the list. Then click the “Open” button within the “Open” window to open up the recovered copy. If you successfully retrieve the contents of the file, then immediately save the file you recovered.
2.) Previously stored file Another helpful method for restoring a deleted or lost file is to check out any previously stored file. If you don’t have AutoRecover enabled, there’s no other way to retrieve the changes you made to your PowerPoint file. You will need to to redo your work from the last save. But if everything looks good, you could then follow these steps: 1.) Open a blank Microsoft PowerPoint document and click on the File tab 2.) Select the options link at the bottom 3.) Select Save 4.) Under the option of “Save Presentation,” you may see an option which will state “AutoRecover File Location” 5.) Once you find the section with a path showing where your autosaved documents go, select and copy it 6.) Open File Explorer and paste in the copied file path. Hit enter 7.) Select the desired file. Right click the Microsoft PowerPoint file, and choose Open with. Choose PowerPoint, and click Ok.
3.) Temporary files While we tend to begin by filing initially, the program will create a temporary file for it. You can find it on a network drive or within the temporary directory of your operating system. The file that you are likely going to find in the temporary section can sometimes have a number of additional letters after the title.
4.) Restoring from the Recycle Bin While this step is standard, it is often overlooked. Here are the steps :
• First, go to the Recycle Bin • Search for the desired presentation file • Select it and right click on it • Choose the option “Restore”
5.) Recoverit PowerPoint Recovery Solution If you empty the recycle bin or just delete PowerPoint files with “Shift+Delete” keys it is quite difficult to restore your PPT file manually. But now, you get an easy solution by installing a robust Powerpoint recovery tool-Recoverit data recovery software. It is a number one recovery tool which can recover lost data caused by any reasons from PC, laptop or removable devices.
It’s quite simple to lose a crucial PowerPoint presentation that you have been working on. You might accidentally delete your necessaryt files after your work is done. Also, some forget to save their PowerPoint files after they are done with them. Panic may be the primary action if you encounter such a scenario. But if you follow the methods in this article there is a good chance you can retrieve your lost file. Keep calm and restore on!
Recent Posts
- A glass apart!
- Local differences for (better) global presentations
- Project Management: the best software
- Presentation Management: the way to go
- RULES, NO-RULES
- October 2022
- August 2022
- February 2022
- January 2022
- December 2021
- November 2021
- October 2021
- September 2021
- February 2021
- January 2021
- December 2020
- November 2020
- October 2020
- September 2020
- August 2020
- February 2020
- January 2020
- December 2019
- November 2019
- October 2019
- September 2019
- August 2019
- January 2019
- December 2018
- October 2018
- September 2018
- August 2018
Privacy Overview

- Get started with computers
- Learn Microsoft Office
- Apply for a job
- Improve my work skills
- Design nice-looking docs
- Getting Started
- Smartphones & Tablets
- Typing Tutorial
- Online Learning
- Basic Internet Skills
- Online Safety
- Social Media
- Zoom Basics
- Google Docs
- Google Sheets
- Career Planning
- Resume Writing
- Cover Letters
- Job Search and Networking
- Business Communication
- Entrepreneurship 101
- Careers without College
- Job Hunt for Today
- 3D Printing
- Freelancing 101
- Personal Finance
- Sharing Economy
- Decision-Making
- Graphic Design
- Photography
- Image Editing
- Learning WordPress
- Language Learning
- Critical Thinking
- For Educators
- Translations
- Staff Picks
- English expand_more expand_less
PowerPoint Tips - Recover Unsaved Presentations
Powerpoint tips -, recover unsaved presentations, powerpoint tips recover unsaved presentations.

PowerPoint Tips: Recover Unsaved Presentations
Lesson 7: recover unsaved presentations.
/en/powerpoint-tips/spell-check-and-thesaurus-shortcuts/content/
Recover unsaved presentations
Sometimes you don’t get the chance to save your presentation before your computer crashes or you lose power. Thankfully, PowerPoint can help you recover unsaved presentations.
When you open PowerPoint, the Document Recovery window will appear if it recovered any unsaved files. Just click a file to open it.
To find your unsaved work after the Document Recovery window closes, click the File tab, then select Open . At the bottom of your Recent Presentations, click Recover Unsaved Presentations to find your unsaved files.
Watch the video below to see how you can recover unsaved presentations.

/en/powerpoint-tips/compress-media-files/content/
- 100+ Years of Women In Tech
- The Top 5 Women in Tech
How to Recover an Unsaved PowerPoint
Get that powerpoint presentation back.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/ryanperiansquare-de5f69cde760457facb17deac949263e-180a645bf10845498a859fbbcda36d46.jpg)
- Western Governors University
In This Article
Jump to a Section
- AutoRecover
- Alternate Method
- Recover Deleted Presentation
- Enable AutoSave
- Frequently Asked Questions
What to Know
- File > Open > Recover Unsaved Presentations .
- Or: File > Info > Manage Presentations > Recover Unsaved Presentations .
- Check your Recycle Bin and automatic backup folders for deleted presentations, or use recovery software.
This article explains how to recover an unsaved PowerPoint. These instructions apply to PowerPoint 2019, 2016, 2013, and Microsoft 365 .
How Do I Recover a PowerPoint That Was Not Saved?
There are a few ways to recover an unsaved PowerPoint. If one method doesn't work, you should try the other options outlined below.
PowerPoint has a feature called AutoRecover which periodically stores data from your presentations. In newer versions of PowerPoint, you can access AutoRecover files from within PowerPoint:
Go to the File tab.
Select Open .
Select Recover Unsaved Presentations at the bottom of the list of recent files.
Select your presentation to open it. If you don't see it, move on to the next section to try a different method.
Alternate Way to Recover an Unsaved PowerPoint
Depending on your version of PowerPoint, the steps for recovering unsaved presentations might be different:
Select Info .
Select Manage Presentations > Recover Unsaved Presentations .
Select your presentation to open it.
If you don't see the Recover Unsaved Presentations option in PowerPoint, you might find your presentation in the following folder on Windows:
On Mac, you can find AutoRecover data in this folder:
Copy and paste the above file path in the File Explorer or Finder address bar; then press Enter to open the folder. Replace User with your Windows or Mac username.
If you still don't see your file, try looking in the following folder on Windows:
Alternatively, press Windows key + R to bring up the Run command and enter %temp% in the Run prompt to open the Temp folder. To find your presentation, search for ppt files.
How Do I Get My Deleted PowerPoint Presentation Back?
If you previously saved a presentation and it got deleted, there are a few things you can try to recover your PowerPoint.
First, check your Windows Recycle Bin or Mac Trash folder. Depending on how long ago a user deleted it, you may be able to restore files from the Recycle Bin or recover files from the Trash on Mac . If successful, the file should return to its original folder.
If you use automatic backup software , check your backup folders. You can also restore your file using recovery software like Recuva or Disk Drill .
Enable PowerPoint AutoSave
PowerPoint includes an AutoSave feature that backs up your work every few seconds. Select the AutoSave toggle switch in the upper-left corner of your presentation to turn it On , or go to go to File > Options > Save and check the AutoSave box.
To recover an unsaved Word document , go to File > Manage Documents > Recover Unsaved Documents . If you see the document listed, select it. Or, search for a backup of the file by going to File > Open > Browse . You can also use Windows Explorer to search for recovered or temporary files.
To recover an unsaved Excel file , if you have AutoSave enabled, view the Document Recovery interface when you launch Excel. In the section called Available Files , you'll see all your autosaved workbooks and document files. To recover a file, select the arrow next to the file details and choose Open .
To recover a deleted or unsaved Notepad file, go to your Windows 10 search function, type %AppData% , and press Enter . The Roaming folder will open. Search for files that end in .txt to find your unsaved Notepad file.
Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day
- Tips for Solving Common PowerPoint Problems
- How to Draw Freehand in PowerPoint
- Recuva v1.53.2083 Free Version
- How to Add an Excel Chart to a PowerPoint Presentation
- 5 Best Free Presentation Software Programs
- How to Update PowerPoint on Windows and Mac
- The 21 Best Free Data Recovery Software Tools of 2023
- File & Data Recovery FAQ
- How to Restore Deleted Files From the Recycle Bin
- How to Recover a Forgotten iCloud Mail Password
- How to Make a Word Cloud in PowerPoint
- How to Fix Explorerframe.dll Not Found or Missing Errors
- EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard v16
- How to Recover an Excel File
- How to Add Page Numbers in PowerPoint
- How to Recover Deleted Files (Easy, 5 to 25 Minutes)
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.

- Office Document Solutions
- Photo/Video/Audio/Camera Solutions
- Email-Related Solutions
- Windows Computer Solutions
- Mac Computer Solutions
- Data Backup Solutions
- Hard Drive Solutions
- SD Card Solutions
- USB Drive Solutions
- Reviews and Rewards
- Editorial Team
- Help Center
- DOWNLOAD DOWNLOAD
- Buy Now Buy Now

3 Simple Ways to Recover an Unsaved PowerPoint [2023]
If you accidentally closed powerpoint without saving and lost it, here we offer 3 easy way to help you recover unsaved powerpoint files..

Mar 02, 2023 • Filed to: Recover Files • Proven solutions
There is no doubt that many people often use Windows Office tools like PowerPoint, Word, Excel, and Notepad in daily work. But more of a sudden there are certain chances that you might accidentally delete your important files after your work is done. Also, some forget to save their PowerPoint files after they are done with them. Panic may be the first action if you encounter such a situation. But now you don’t need to worry about that as this article will provide you with 3 comprehensive PowerPoint recovery solutions to help you recover unsaved PowerPoint presentation , the ultimate way to recover permanently deleted PowerPoint files is to get Recoverit Data Recovery software to get started.
- Solution 1. With "Recover Unsaved Presentations"
Solution 2. Using the AutoRecover Function
- Solution 3. Recover Permanently Deleted PowerPoint Files
Video Tutorial on Unsaved/ Deleted PowerPoint Files Recovery
If you want to quickly recover your PowerPoint , then watch the video below. In this video, our expert shares his experience of recovering unsaved PowerPoint files . He describes 3 different methods. However, not all solutions can solve your issue since there are various situations of data loss. However, based on his test, the third solution works well in most cases.
Recent Videos from Recoverit
If you have no time to watch the entire video tutorial, you can also go on and get a quick solution through the below content. You can follow the steps and description to recover the unsaved or deleted PowerPoint files.
Solution 1. Recover With "Recover Unsaved Presentations"
If you forget to save the PowerPoint file you are working on and then it is just lost due to some reason, please keep calm and try the below-given simple steps to get it back quickly.
Step 1. Open the PowerPoint on your PC.
Step 2. Click on the File tab in the upper left corner > Choose Open > In the "Recent" section, click Recover Unsaved Presentations in the bottom right corner.
Step 3. The Saved Drafts folder will open. Find your file and double-click on it to open. Then save the file.

The files in the Unsaved folder are temporary files . It is highly recommended to recover and save the data you need as they might be lost soon.
Besides, there is another way that can help recover unsaved PowerPoint files – AutoRecover function. First, you need to check if it has been enabled. Follow the simple steps below.
Step 1. Open a PowerPoint presentation > choose the File tab > Select Options > Go to Save.
Step 2. Make sure that you have checked the box saying " Save auto-recover info every x minutes ", and the box saying "Keep the last Auto recovered version if I close without saving".

If you have AutoRecover enabled beforehand, you can go to find your unsaved PowerPoint file by following the 2 simple steps.
Step 1. Copy the file destination path from " AutoRecover file location ".

Step 2. Open Windows Explorer, paste the path on the address bar and hit "Enter" to search the lost unsaved PowerPoint file.

It is advised to save the document while you are working on it. There is a shortcut key to save the file while working, which is Ctrl + S, which automatically saves your document.
Solution 3. Recover Deleted PowerPoint Files with Recoverit Data Recovery
The solutions introduced above can help you recover PPT made with PowerPoint 2019, 2016, 2013, and Microsoft Office 365.
If the above-mentioned solutions can't help you out with the PowerPoint lost problems, you can check the following steps to recover unsaved/deleted PowerPoint files with Recoverit Data Recovery for Windows . It can easily undelete your lost or delete PowerPoint presentations with 3 steps, also it can recover Word document and other lost files. Download and install Recoverit on your computer and retrieve your PowerPoint back.
Step 1. Select a location where stored PowerPoint
Launch Recoverit Data Recovery on your PC, select a disk where the PowerPoint files were stored before and next.

Step 2. Scanning lost PowerPoint from disk
And then the software will start scanning the disk to search for your lost or delete PowerPoint files, it will take a while for the scan to complete.

Step 3. Preview and recover PowerPoint files
After scanning, all recovered data files will display on the result. You can preview some files like photo, video, music, office files, select your PowerPoint and click the " Recover " button to get it back.

Follow these 3 steps to rescue your lost PowerPoint files, also you can check the following video tutorial on how to use Recoverit Data Recovery software to restore your PowerPoint presentations.
I hope that 3 ways can help you recover accidentally closed PowerPoint without saving, otherwise, if you working on Mac, you should download Recoverit Data Recovery for Mac and follow the same steps to restore lost PowerPoint files.
Rescue & Fix Files
- Unsaved Word Document
- Damaged Word Files
- PDF File Recovery
- Repair Excel Error
- Get Free Word Repair Tool
- Word Not Found?
- Corrupt Word File Is Fixed
- Permanently Deleted Files
- Delete Files Command
- Restore Sticky Notes
- Undo Deleted Files
- Get Back Laptop Files
- Cut&Past Files Loss Issue
- Undelete User Profile
- Clear Skype Chat History
You Might Also Like

Other popular Articles From Wondershare

staff Editor


- Home - Supprt Center - KB - Windows - How to recover deleted PowerPoint files?
How to recover deleted PowerPoint files?

Suppose you are preparing a presentation all for an important meeting at your office. On the very day of the meeting, you see that the presentation is missing on your laptop. You vigorously search for it on your system only to find that all your hard work is gone. Think for a second - what if this happens to you. It will annoy you, frustrate you, and you cannot do anything about it. So, to save yourself from such nightmares and keep yourself on the safer side, learn about the possible causes and feasible solutions, including a professional recovery tool - Kernel for Windows Data Recovery. Kernel Windows Data Recovery recovers all the deleted or inaccessible PPT presentations of your business.

Possible Reasons for PowerPoint Deletion
Many things lead to the deletion or inaccessibility of crucial PowerPoint presentations:
- Sudden system crashes
- Virus attacks
- Improper PowerPoint exits
- Sudden power failure or battery power drainages
- MS Office corruption or errors
We have listed a few scenarios that many users of MS PowerPoint have reported on different forums. These users faced PowerPoint file deletion before they could present it in front of the audience.
Scenario 1:
“I was building a presentation in PowerPoint with many images. But, it was closed all of a sudden before I could save. How can I recover it?
Scenario 2:
“I had made a presentation by editing a presentation template which was free. But then I lost the entire PPT file. I tried a recovery tool, but nothing has recovered my file. Is there any other thing I can do?”
Methods to Recover Your Deleted or Unsaved PowerPoint Files
There are three methods to recover your lost PowerPoint presentation files:
Method 1: Recover PowerPoint files from Temporary Files
Search for the file in the Temp folder on your computer, the moment you realize that your PowerPoint file is missing. Look for files that match the size of your PPT. It is quite possible to recover your file from them.
- Click Start and select Search.
- Type in the name of the file you are able to recall, add the extension name.tmp , and hit Ente r to search.
- A window will pop up after the search. Open the files that you think are of the same size as of your lost PPT.
Method 2: Recover unsaved presentations
In all the versions of Office 2010 and above, there is an option known as Recover Unsaved Presentations. This option lets you recover PPTs that were left unsaved. Follow these simple steps to recover:
- Launch MS PowerPoint, click File > Open and select Recent
- You will notice Recent Places in the bottom left corner, click on Recover Unsaved Presentations
- Find your file in the list; open and save it safely to another location of your choice.
Method 3: Recover with the help of a Third-Party Tool
If the above-recommended methods do not work, then you must opt for an intelligent third-party tool. There is a plethora of tools available in the online marketplace. So, it is confusing and difficult to choose once. So find an easy and comfortable data recovery tool. And the best one is Kernel for Windows Data Recovery Free Version as many IT Professionals recommend it. It can recover all deleted and lost files/folders, media files, emails, and much more. With the free version, you can recover 2 GB of data efficiently.
Follow the simple steps to recover your PowerPoint presentation within few minutes:

The Kernel for Windows Data Recovery Free Version helps you recover lost and deleted Windows files such as PPT and many more. This free data recovery software comes with a very user-friendly graphical interface and it is the best solution for non-technical users.

I not only recovered the presentations but also the older songs that were deleted earlier. The tool recovers all types of files.
The corrupt files are not recoverable by the manual methods, but the software recovers them all.
Leave a reply
Related posts.
- How to recover inaccessible Text files?
- How to recover deleted MS Word documents?
- How to recover deleted Excel files?

- Data recovery for Mac
- Data recovery for Windows
- All Articles
How to Recover Deleted or Unsaved PowerPoint File

- Recover Deleted Files on Windows
- Recover Deleted Files on Mac OS X
- Hard Drive Recovery Tips
- SD Card & Flash Drive Recovery Tips
- All About Data Recovery
- All about iOS
- All about Android
- Recovering File Types & Formats
- Data Recovery in Your City
- Mac OS X Tips & Troubleshooting
- Windows Tips & Troubleshooting
- Software Reviews
- Best Software & Services in 2022
- Best Hardware in 2023
- Tech Related Articles
Have you lost your PPT file due to a system crash or deletion and aren’t sure how to retrieve it? Don’t worry, this is the place for you. Data loss scenarios are quite common, and several methods are available to help recover your PPT file back. Follow our instructions for quick and easy methods to restore your deleted files.

What is the PowerPoint File Type (PPT, PPTX)
PPT stands for the Microsoft PowerPoint Presentation binary format, and it is the main file extension that saves PowerPoint presentations. The software is widely used to design presentations for educational and business purposes. All slides, videos, texts, images, etc., are stored within the PPT file.

Introduced in 1987 with the release of PowerPoint, the PPT extension used to be the primary file type to save your presentations for versions 2003 and older.
How to Recover Deleted PowerPoint (PPT, PPTX) Files
There are many possible fixes to assist you in restoring your lost PPTX files. Go through the table below for an overview of available recovery methods:
While these solutions can be convenient, it is also important to keep certain practices in mind while working on your PPTX file. A few tips and tricks that can be helpful in data-loss situations are:
- 💾 Keep more than one backup of your PPTX file. In case of an unexpected file loss, having backups would ensure a smooth recovery process.
- ❌ If your device crashes or you want to retrieve your file, avoid writing new data to that drive. It can lead to complications while restoring the desired file.
- ⏩ Start the data recovery process as soon as you can. The longer you wait to attempt getting the file back, the restoration chances would become more uncertain.
- 💯 Try the most sure-shot method of file recovery first. It would increase the possibility of successful recovery and might prevent permanent file damage.
Being mindful of these pointers can help avoid severe data loss and make the recovery process quite efficient.
How to Recover PowerPoint (PPT, PPTX) Files with Software
Although various data recovery methods are available to help you restore your PPTX files, third-party software is perhaps the most effective. Instead of relying on temporary folders, these solutions can permanently retrieve your files. While it may seem challenging at first, most file recovery software like Disk Drill is relatively user-friendly.
Steps to recover your PPT, PPTX files with Disk Drill:

- While it is faster than most recovery software, Disk Drill will take some time to scan your device for lost data. You can choose your recovery method — Quick Scan or Deep Scan . ⏯️ You can also pause and resume scans halfway to glance through the files found.

Recover PPT, PPTX Files from Windows Recycle Bin and Mac Trash
If you wish to retrieve your deleted PPT, PPTX files, there’s a simple solution to help you get them back. You can use the Windows Recycle Bin or Mac Trash to restore your files to their original location.
Both these folders in your system temporarily store your deleted files. This makes it easy to recover your data without much effort.
Recovering PPT, PPTX files from the Windows Recycle Bin

- Once you’ve opened the folder, find and select the PPT or PPTX file you wish to recover.

Recovering PPT, PPTX files from Mac Trash

Restore from a Recent Files Folder
While the Windows Recycle Bin and the Mac Trash folders offer effortless data recovery, they can only recover deleted files — whether accidental or voluntary. However, you don’t necessarily need to download software to retrieve your data. There are other solutions within your system that can help you restore your lost PPT, PPTX files.
Let’s go through both the options one by one:
Recovering Files Using Windows File History

- Make sure you have turned on the File History option. If not, select an internal or external drive to which you want to backup your information, and turn it on.

- Go through available backups and locate the PPT or PPTX file you want to recover.

Recovering Files Using Mac Time Machine

- Navigate through the folders to locate your PPT or PPTX file from available backups.

Having backups of your data is a valuable practice that always comes in handy in the long run. The techniques mentioned above can assist you with the convenient recovery of your PPT, PPTX files only if you’ve saved them. It may seem like a limitation in comparison with the data recovery efficiency of software. However, there is a bonus feature on PowerPoint that can help recover your lost files.
Recover PPT, PPTX Files using Windows File Recovery
Windows File Recovery is Microsoft’s command-line recovery utility and is available for free download from the Microsoft Store. Since it doesn’t have a graphical user interface, users must enter the corresponding command prompt to recover lost files. This utility supports various file systems and types and is a helpful tool for data recovery.
Here’s how you can recover PPT, PPTX files with Windows File Recovery:
- Download Windows File Recovery from the Microsoft Store and Install it on your PC.
- Launch Windows File Recovery and click the Run as administrator option.
- Once the Command Prompt window opens, enter the command in the following format: winfr source-drive: destination-drive: [/mode] [/switches]
- You need to specify a mode in the format mentioned above, according to what’s suitable for your file system. You can use two basic modes to recover files – Regular and Extensive .
- You can also mention any specific file extensions according to the files you wish to retrieve. For instance, enter a similar command to retrieve PPT, PPTX files: winfr C: E: /extensive /n *.ppt /n *.pptx
- Note that the source and destination drives must be different. After you’ve entered, Microsoft automatically creates a recovery folder on the destination drive.

Recover PPT, PPTX Files from your Temporary Files Folder
Another method that you can use to retrieve your unsaved PPT, PPTX files is through the temporary files folder. Windows has this temporary folder dedicated to saving files from various applications. Here’s the path to the temporary files folder: C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Local\Temp
There are other ways to access this folder as well. Follow these steps to recover your lost or unsaved PPT, PPTX files from the temporary files folder:

- Once you run the command, the folder window will open in File Explorer. To narrow down your search options, you can filter through the results by using the following extensions – *.pptx, *.ppt, ppt*.tmp .

Recover PPT, PPTX File from a Local Backup
An easier way to retrieve your PPT, PPTX files is to look for them in a local backup. However, turning to this method will only be feasible if you’ve created backups of your files either on hard drives, or on the cloud. In this article, we shall look at the steps to recover PPT, PPTX files from a local backup:
- Connect your backup drive to your computer.
- Open it using File Explorer.
- Look through the data to find your PPT presentation.
- Copy it to your computer and access the backed up version.
Recovering PPT, PPTX Files with PowerPoint Features
Did your presentation disappear? PowerPoint provides features that can help recover your unsaved or deleted files. All versions from 2010 and onwards have the Auto Recovery feature and the Recover Unsaved Presentations option. The former saves the file you’re working on at regular time intervals. Both features help the user ensure they have a place from which they can retrieve their lost files.
Auto-Recovery
If you haven’t saved the PPT or PPTX file you’re working on; PowerPoint creates a temporary folder to save these files. You can navigate to the Auto-Recover File Location and look for your file there. However, to enable this feature, you must ensure that the AutoRecover information option is turned on.

Recover Unsaved Presentations
If PowerPoint or your system crashes while you’re working or before you have the chance to check a saved version, you can use this feature. Once you click on the Recover Unsaved Presentations option, it will open your missing file.

On Windows: Open File > Info > Manage Versions > Recover Unsaved Presentations .
You can find more information on these features at the Microsoft Community.
How to Open PPT, PPTX on Mac and Windows
Microsoft PowerPoint is the most suitable application to open your PPT, PPTX files. It supports all the texts, transition effects, images, clipart, videos, etc., which are vital assets to format the presentation. It is available on both Windows and Mac operating systems as well as on Android and iOS. You can purchase a subscription to Microsoft 365 from Microsoft’s official website.

You can also view PowerPoint files in several other presentation programs. Some examples are Apple Keynote, Corel Presentations, or PPTX viewer. If you have a Microsoft Account or a Microsoft 365 account, it will allow you to view and edit your presentations in the web browser.
Programs that Open PPT, PPTX Files
While Microsoft PowerPoint works best, multiple applications can support PPT, PPTX files. You may not be able to edit them using these applications, but you can view them easily. Some programs that support PPT, PPTX files are:
On Windows: Microsoft PowerPoint 354 Corel Presentations 2021 File Viewer Plus
On Mac: Microsoft PowerPoint 354 Apple Preview Apple Keynote
Android: File Viewer by Android Microsoft Office Microsoft PowerPoint Google Drive Google Slides
iOS: Microsoft Office Microsoft PowerPoint Google Drive Google Slides
Tips to Avoid PPT, PPTX File Loss
While it is quite possible to recover your lost PPT, PPTX files conveniently, it is advisable to try and avoid data loss situations. Here are a few tips you can follow to keep your files safe:
- 💿 Save your work manually – While technological advancements have made it easier to recover files, it is good to keep saving your file manually while working. If the system crashes or an unforeseen problem arises, you can seamlessly get back your precious presentations.
- 💾 Keep multiple backups – Ensure that you have backups of your files. 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.
- ☁️ Enable AutoRecover and AutoSave – Verify that AutoRecover has been turned on in PowerPoint. This feature can help you recover your deleted or unsaved files without hassle. A lot of users fret that they forgot to save their presentations. This is where the AutoSave option is a real gamechanger: It automatically saves the changes you continue to make onto the OneDrive cloud storage.
- 🩺 Install a good Antivirus – It is crucial to have reliable antivirus software installed on your computer. It will protect your files from malware and prevent file corruption.
- 🔋 System and Power compatibility – It is suggested that you ensure your system’s compatibility with the software. With constant technical developments, outdated software versions would not work on newer systems. To avoid data loss due to sudden power outages, invest in an Uninterrupted Power Source (UPS).
- 🗄️ Separate software from other data – You should keep your software and other data, including your media files and documents on different drives. If this isn’t followed, your system can crash, or you risk disk failure. It can thus result in significant data loss.
This information can help you avoid losing your data. However, if a data-loss situation arises, the methods mentioned above can help you recover files or other data.
How to recover unsaved PowerPoint files in Windows 11?
PowerPoint comes ready with features that actively work to keep a record of your presentations, even if you haven’t saved it yet. To do this, PowerPoint takes regular snapshots of your file, which allows you to recover it in the event of sudden power or application failure.
To recover an unsaved PowerPoint file, follow these steps:
- Open PowerPoint .
- Click File , then Open . At the bottom of the recent files list, click Recover Unsaved Presentations .
- Select the unsaved presentation file in the UnsavedFiles folder, then click Open .
Once opened, save the presentation file like normal.
Where are PowerPoint AutoSave files stored?
If you’re not a Microsoft 365 user, the AutoSave feature that automatically saves your presentation almost immediately after any change won’t be available to you. Instead, you must rely on the AutoRecover feature.
AutoRecover, when enabled, will automatically make a copy of your file every 10 minutes by default. The path to this AutoRecover folder is typically C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\PowerPoint\ , but the below instructions will show you how to find the exact location for you.
- Click File , then Options .
- Click Save .
- Copy the path in the AutoRecover file location box and open it in File Explorer .
How to recover unsaved PowerPoint files on OneDrive?
If your PowerPoint presentation crashes before you get a chance to save it in OneDrive, you may still be able to recover it from a version that was automatically saved. To do so, follow these steps.
- Click File , then Open .
- Click Recover Unsaved Presentations .
- Select your unsaved presentation and click Open .
Going forward, if you’re a Microsoft 365 user, consider saving your file in OneDrive immediately after creating it. This way, the AutoSave feature will be enabled from the beginning, which will save your file every few seconds.
How do I recover PowerPoint history?
Follow these steps to recover PowerPoint file history:
- Open the file you want to view.
- Click File > Info > Version history .
- Select a version to open it in a separate window.
- If you wish to restore a previous version you’ve opened, select Restore .
Where are temporary PowerPoint files stored?
Temporary PowerPoint files are stores under the following path: C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Local\Temp
Follow these steps to recover temporary PPT, PPTX files:
- Press Win + R and type in %temp% in the Run prompt.
- You can filter through the results in File Explorer by using the following extensions – *.pptx, *.ppt, ppt*.tmp .
- If the presentation is located within the temporary files folder, it should show up in the results and you can recover it.
How to recover PowerPoint files that were not saved on the iPad?
All PowerPoint presentations are saved automatically on iOS devices. In the event that the AutoSave feature was manually disabled, there will be no way to recover an unsaved presentation.

Joshua Solomon
Technology, SaaS, and digital marketing are Joshua's go-to niches. He understands the need for simple and easy-to-read articles on the internet. As technologies grow in complexity, guides and how-to pieces must remain com...

Brett Johnson
This article has been approved by Brett Johnson, Data Recovery Engineer at ACE Data Recovery. Brett has a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Systems and Network, 12 years of experience.
Related Articles
- November 30, 2022 How to Retrieve Deleted Voicemail on iPhone and Android
- July 18, 2022 How to Recover Pages Documents on Mac
- April 5, 2021 How to Recover Deleted Files from OneNote
- August 11, 2022 How to Recover Deleted Items in Outlook for Mac
- January 8, 2022 How to Recover Data from an External Hard Drive
- April 28, 2022 How to Recover Deleted Video Files (Windows, macOS,…
- April 26, 2022 How to Recover Deleted Photos in Windows 10
- October 27, 2021 Tenorshare Data Recovery Review: Is It Worth The Hype?
- Free Courses
- Microsoft PowerPoint
Recover an Unsaved PowerPoint

Computers don’t always work the way they’re supposed to. Nothing is more frustrating than when a program locks up and stops responding, or worse, completely crashes—especially if you lose progress on an important presentation that you’re working on.
Fortunately, PowerPoint will try to automatically save backup copies of your presentations. If PowerPoint 2019 encounters a problem and stops responding, you can restart PowerPoint or your computer and try to recover your lost presentations.
Recover a Presentation
If an unsaved presentation can be recovered, a Recover unsaved presentations heading will appear on the Welcome screen.

The Document Recovery pane appears, listing all recovered presentations that were found.
The last autosaved version of that presentation opens.

The Document Recovery pane closes, and you can get back to work.
AutoRecovery Settings
You can further protect your work by using the AutoRecover feature to periodically save a temporary copy of the presentation you're working on. To recover work after a software failure, you must have turned on the AutoRecover feature before the problem occurred. You can set the AutoRecover save interval to occur more frequently than its default setting of every 10 minutes.

- Click Save .
- Make sure the Save AutoRecover information check box is checked.
You can’t specify the interval if the check box is not selected.

Even with PowerPoint’s recovery features, the best way to ensure that you don’t lose much progress is to save your work regularly.

FREE Quick Reference
Free to distribute with our compliments; we hope you will consider our paid training.
Free Download
100% spam free We will never share your email with anyone
Free Courseware sample


IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
If that doesn't work try "Recover unsaved presentations". 1.Open a blank Microsoft PowerPoint document and click the "File" tab. 2.Choose Open
Another helpful method for restoring a deleted or lost file is to check out any previously stored file. If you don't have AutoRecover enabled
To find your unsaved work after the Document Recovery window closes, click the File tab, then select Open. At the bottom of your Recent Presentations, click
Go to the File tab. PowerPoint File menu highlighted · Select Open. · Select Recover Unsaved Presentations at the bottom of the list of recent
In this video tutorial, we will discover how to recover unsaved PowerPoint presentation. Recover deleted PPT file:
Get lost deleted file recovered $5 - affiliate link: https://tidd.ly/35vDU0k Free 4 Ways to Recover PPT PowerPoint Files on Windows 10
Open the PowerPoint on your PC. · Click on the File tab in the upper left corner > Choose Open > In the "Recent" section, click Recover Unsaved Presentations in
Method 2: Recover unsaved presentations · Launch MS PowerPoint, click File > Open and select Recent · You will notice Recent Places in the bottom
To recover an unsaved PowerPoint file, follow these steps: Open PowerPoint. Click File, then Open. At the bottom of the recent files list, click
Following a crash, restart PowerPoint. If an unsaved presentation can be recovered, a Recover unsaved presentations heading will appear on the Welcome screen.