Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

Important file lost from temp folder after editing.

  • 6 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 2 views
  • Last reply by tom01

more options

I started an essay for my degree on my computer. I was away for a few days so decided to do the rest on my laptop. I e-mailed the essay to myself and downloaded the attachment using Mozilla on my laptop. I opened the file directly and continued to work on it. I did SAVE as I went along but I didn't SAVE AS. After several hours research and writing I pressed save once more and closed it. I went to e-mail it back to myself and I couldn't find it.

Things I've tried:

Turn show hidden folders to on, looked in the temp folder etc. Looked at open office paths Tried recently opened documents.

It seems like it has just gone but it has to be somewhere. I'm pretty desperate to not see my hard work go down the pan when it's due on Monday morning. Would be so grateful for any help, thank you :)

I started an essay for my degree on my computer. I was away for a few days so decided to do the rest on my laptop. I e-mailed the essay to myself and downloaded the attachment using Mozilla on my laptop. I opened the file directly and continued to work on it. I did SAVE as I went along but I didn't SAVE AS. After several hours research and writing I pressed save once more and closed it. I went to e-mail it back to myself and I couldn't find it. Things I've tried: Turn show hidden folders to on, looked in the temp folder etc. Looked at open office paths Tried recently opened documents. It seems like it has just gone but it has to be somewhere. I'm pretty desperate to not see my hard work go down the pan when it's due on Monday morning. Would be so grateful for any help, thank you :)

All Replies (6)

more options

I'm sure firefox is deleting temp files but there are things still there from before the essay that I didn't save. So I'm wondering what affect saving it without changing the name or location would have? I can't understand why it still wouldn't be there :(

more options

You would not be saving the file from Firefox. it would be whatever Word Processor you use.

IIRC Windows Office allows you to search for files by content, does that help you. Windows also has fairly powerful search features.

Are you using Office 365 ? I have not used that but assume it is able to make running backups every few minutes.

more options

Did you do the editing with the e-mail provider?

In such cases, it is best to download the file, save it, and work on it that way.

more options

Have you tried looking in the Recycle bin? If it's saved to your computer, try looking in the Recycle bin. If it's saved to OneDrive, there should be an option for "Recycle bin" at the left and check there. If it's saved to Google Drive, you should check your trash.

more options

You should always use "Save As" to save the file under a different name and in a different folder and never under the same name in the temp folder to prevent such issues with losing data. Firefox stores files that are passed to an external application in the temp folder and files in the folder are not guaranteed to stay there after you close that application.

more options

Also, try looking in "Recover unsaved documents" if you're in office.