Summary:
Lost your PowerPoint presentation files? Worried about losing your unsaved PPT files? Do not worry, this article is a go to guide to recover PowerPoint files. Be it deleted, lost or unsaved PowerPoint files, with the help of the methods explained here, you will be able to recover PowerPoint files without any hassle.
PowerPoint is one of the most widely used software across the globe both in education and business sectors. We all know how tedious it is to design a presentation and losing these files can prove to be very costly. With the help of methods mentioned below, you will be able to recover PowerPoint files from any storage devices(internal/external).
Quick Navigation for Rapid Recovery of PPT Files
| Scenarios | Recovery from Windows OS | Recovery from Mac OS |
| Deleted PowerPoint Files | 1. Recycle Bin
2. File History |
1. Mac Trash
2. Time Machine |
| Unsaved PowerPoint Files | 1. Auto Recovery Feature of PowerPoint Application | 1. Auto Recovery Feature of PowerPoint |
How do I Recover Deleted PowerPoint files?
If you have deleted your PPT files accidentally you can easily recover using Recycle Bin in Windows and Mac Trash in macOS. If you have deleted your PowerPoint files using Shift Delete keys or rm commands, it surpasses the Recycle Bin and Trash. Therefore, this method cannot be used to recover files.
For Windows OS Users:
Recover Deleted PowerPoint Files from Recycle Bin
To recover PPT files from Bin, click on the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop. Once you open the folder, you will see all recently deleted files, Right Click on the PPT file you want to recover and Select Restore. Once you click on Restore, the files will be sent back to its original location.
Recover PPT files using File History
File History is the built-in backup feature in Windows, that helps you to restore files from the previous versions.
Note: This method is helpful only if you have set the backup point or enable it before you lose your PowerPoint files from the computer.
- Click on Start menu and type Control Panel>> Select System & Security
- Select the option labelled File History >> Restore files with File History
- Select the file/s you want to restore and click the Restore button
For Mac Users:
Recover Deleted PowerPoint Files from Mac Trash
To recover PPT/PPTX files, go to the Trash icon on the dock of your Mac. Once the folder is opened, find and select the PPT or PPTX file you wish to recover. Now, right-click and select the Put Back option to restore it to its original location. Or you can just drag and drop the selected file to another folder.
Recover Deleted PPT Files from Mac Time Machine
Time Machine is a built-in back up feature for Mac operating systems. To make use of the application, you need to enable the option. If you have not enabled the feature, this method won’t help you in recovering PPT files.
- Open Spotlight [Command + Spacebar] >> type Time Machine
- Navigate through the folders to locate your PPT or PPTX file from available backups.
- Now, after selecting the PPT files, click on Restore
Recover Deleted or Lost PowerPoint Files using SFWare Data Recovery Software
Download the SFWare Data Recovery Software on your computer and Launch the application.
1: Select Recover Deleted Files from main screen
2: Next, select the drive from where deleted PPT files are to be recovered and click on the Next button.
3: Now, all the recoverable files will appear on the screen. Next, double click on any file to preview.
4: Select the files you need and save them in any desired location.
Download the SFWare Data Recovery Software for Mac and install it. Launch the application on your Mac computers.
1: Run the application and click on Recover Files from the home screen
Two options are provided – Recover deleted files and Recover lost files. Select the option based on your data lost scenarios.
2: Select the drive from which data needs to be recovered
3: After completion of the scanning process, recoverable files are displayed.
4: Select required files from the list and preview them in Mac finder style. If you’re satisfied with the result, save them in any desired location.
By the end of the recovery process, you should have all your deleted PPT files restored successfully at the destination you picked. But remember not to save recovered files to the same drive from where the deleted file recovery has been done.
How to Recover Unsaved PowerPoint Files in Windows and Mac Computers?
To recover PowerPoint files that are not saved, PowerPoint provides features that can help recover your unsaved or lost files. All PowerPoint application versions from 2010 and onwards have the Auto Recovery feature and the Recover Unsaved Presentations option.
Recover Unsaved PPT/PPTX Files using Auto Recovery Feature
Note: You can recover unsaved files using Auto Recovery only if it is enabled. If you have not turn on the option, to enable this feature, you must ensure that the AutoRecover information option is turned on.
Verify AutoRecover on Windows: Open any File >> Options >> Save >> Save Presentations >> Save Auto-Recover info
Verify AutoRecover on Mac: Open PowerPoint >> PowerPoint Preferences >> Save >> Save Options >> Save AutoRecover info
Steps to Recover Unsaved PowerPoint Files on Windows
Open the PowerPoint>> go to File >> Info >> Manage Versions >> Recover Unsaved Presentations.
Steps to Recover unsaved PowerPoint Files on Mac
- Open a Finder window on your Mac.
- Select the entire computer as the location >> enter ‘AutoRecovery’ in the Search field.
- Double-click on the PPT file to be recovered. Select the File menu and choose Save A
You can find the recovered PPT files in the given location.
Tips to avoid Data Loss in future
Having a regular backup is a great way to combat data loss. Hence, keep more than one backup of your PPT/PPTX file.
In case if you happen to lose data due to device crashes or drive corruption, you can always rely on the backup data. In case if you have no backup, you can always seek a help of the data recovery software.
Start the data recovery process immediately. The longer you wait, the restoration chances of files would become more uncertain.