i accidentally saved a document with the same name. is there a way to get the first one back??

Question

i accidently saved a document with the same name and accidently said yes when it said did you want to rewrite. i really need the first one back, is there a way to get it back??

Answer 1

If the software is properly set up it should have saved the original file as file.bak or file.bk1 (whatever the backup extension is for the program you are using).

Do NOT edit the file again until you have searched for the backup file, renamed it and saved it under a different name, otherwise the backup will be rewritten over by the current file and your chances of recovering the original have dropped close to zero.

Answer 2

Overwriting a file is the surest way of deleting it. Unless you selected, in Word:
Tools
Options
Save
"always create a backup copy"

you have lost your file.

I have chosen this option in Word and Excel. If you accidentally overwrite a file, you can open the backup and save it to a new name -- then take it from there.

You cannot edit backups, but you can save to a new name.
When you "refresh" your folder, the backups all appear at the top of the list and are easily deleted if you are sure you are finished with them.