Excel saves temporary and AutoRecover files automatically while you work — but these files are stored in hidden system folders that are not obvious to find. Knowing the exact location can recover hours of work after a crash or accidental close.
Part 1. Excel AutoRecover File Location on Windows
Excel AutoRecover files on Windows are stored in a hidden AppData folder. The default path varies by Excel version:
| Excel Version | AutoRecover Location |
|---|---|
| Excel 365 / 2021 / 2019 | C:\Users\[Username]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Excel\ |
| Excel 2016 | C:\Users\[Username]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Excel\ |
| Excel 2013 | C:\Users\[Username]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Excel\ |
| Excel (general) | C:\Users\[Username]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Office\UnsavedFiles\ |
💡 Tip: To navigate directly to AppData (which is hidden), press
Win + R, type%appdata%\Microsoft\Exceland press Enter. This opens the folder directly without needing to show hidden files first.
Find your AutoRecover path in Excel settings:
- Open Excel → File → Options → Save
- Look at the AutoRecover file location field — this shows the exact current path
Part 2. Excel AutoRecover File Location on Mac
On Mac, Excel AutoRecover files are stored in a different location:
/Users/[Username]/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.Excel/Data/Library/Preferences/AutoRecovery/
Or for older Excel versions:
/Users/[Username]/Library/Application Support/Microsoft/Office/OfficeVersion/Excel Autosave/
💡 Tip: The Library folder is hidden on Mac. Access it by holding Option and clicking Go in the Finder menu bar — Library appears in the dropdown. Navigate from there to find Excel's AutoRecover files.
Part 3. What Excel Temp Files Look Like
Excel creates two types of temporary files:
| File Type | Pattern | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| AutoRecover | .xlsb, .xlsx, or ~Excel prefix | Periodic save for crash recovery |
| Temp/Lock file | ~$filename.xlsx | Active session lock file |
The lock file (~$filename.xlsx) indicates Excel currently has the file open — do not delete these during active sessions. After a crash, orphaned lock files can be safely deleted.
⚠️ Important: Do not delete
~$lock files while Excel is actively open — they mark the file as in use and prevent simultaneous edits. Only delete orphaned~$files after confirming Excel is fully closed. Deleting an active lock file can cause corruption in the open workbook.
💡 Tip: If you cannot find an AutoRecover file by browsing the AppData folder, open Excel and check File → Info → Manage Workbook — any available AutoRecover versions appear here with timestamps, making it the fastest way to find a recent auto-saved version.
🗣️ r/excel user: "Excel crashed and I couldn't find my AutoRecover file. Checked %appdata%\Microsoft\Excel and found a file from 8 minutes before the crash. Opened it and got everything back. Always check that folder first."
Part 4. Increase AutoRecover Frequency
The default AutoRecover interval is every 10 minutes — which can mean losing up to 10 minutes of work. Reduce it:
- Excel → File → Options → Save
- Change Save AutoRecover information every X minutes to 2 minutes
- Ensure Keep the last AutoRecover version if I close without saving is checked
🗣️ r/techsupport advice on Excel crashes: "Set AutoRecover to 1–2 minutes. Storage is cheap and the extra saves happen in the background. I've recovered Excel files from crashes and power outages many times because of this setting."
Part 5. Recover Permanently Deleted Excel Files With Ritridata
If the Excel file was deleted from disk (not just a crash recovery scenario), Ritridata can scan your drive and recover the deleted .xlsx or .xls file from sectors not yet overwritten.
Step 1 — Select the drive where the Excel file was stored
Step 2 — Run a scan and filter by .xlsx or .xls extension
Step 3 — Preview and recover the Excel file to a safe location
FAQ
Where are Excel AutoRecover files stored in Windows 11? Same location as Windows 10: C:\Users\[Username]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Excel\. Press Win + R, type %appdata%\Microsoft\Excel to open it directly.
Can I recover an Excel file I closed without saving? Yes — if AutoRecover was enabled, check File → Info → Manage Workbook → Recover Unsaved Workbooks in Excel. Or navigate directly to the AutoRecover folder path above and look for the file.
What is the ~$ file next to my Excel spreadsheet? This is a lock file Excel creates when the workbook is open. It prevents other users from opening the file simultaneously. If Excel closed normally, the lock file is automatically deleted. Orphaned ~$ files after a crash can be safely deleted.
Why can't I find the Excel AutoRecover file? Possible reasons: AutoRecover is disabled (check Excel Options → Save), the file was open for less than the AutoRecover interval, or the AppData folder is hidden. Use %appdata%\Microsoft\Excel in the Run dialog to navigate there directly.