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How to Recover an Unsaved PowerPoint

Get that PowerPoint presentation back

• 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.

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How to Recover Unsaved PowerPoint Presentations

Always happens five minutes before the meeting

It’s not uncommon to lose hours of work in PowerPoint because of an unexpected system crash, shutdown, or power failure. Microsoft knows that, which is why the program comes with AutoRecover. It’s a feature that helps you retrieve unsaved PowerPoint presentations.

This tutorial will teach you how to use Microsoft PowerPoint’s AutoRecover feature in Windows and macOS, including other tips to recover lost or deleted PowerPoint presentations.

Recover Unsaved PowerPoint Presentations on Windows

Whenever you work on a presentation in Microsoft PowerPoint for Windows 10 and 11, the program’s built-in AutoRecover functionality makes periodic backups to a temporary file once every 10 minutes.

If you forgot to save a Microsoft PowerPoint document because of an unexpected issue, you can get it back. There’s no guarantee it may contain the most recent changes, though.

By default, AutoRecover opens the unsaved presentation when you relaunch PowerPoint after a system or application crash. If you see a Recovered Unsaved File banner, select the Save button inside to save it permanently.

In Microsoft Office 2021 and earlier versions of PowerPoint, a Document Recovery pane should show up to the left of the PowerPoint window, letting you pick the file you want to recover.

If that does not happen, you can view the AutoRecover folder with the following steps:

• Open PowerPoint and select Open on the Start Screen.
• Select the Recover Unsaved Presentations button.

• On the File Explorer pop-up, open the folder related to the PPT file you want to restore.
• Select the file and choose Open .

• Review the presentation and save it to your PC’s hard drive.

If the Recover Unsaved Presentations option is not visible or PowerPoint repeatedly crashes before you can do anything, visit the program’s AutoRecover file location and retrieve the presentation via File Explorer.

• Open File Explorer.
• Copy and paste the following into the address bar, replacing <username> with your Windows user name. Then, press Enter :

C:Users <username> AppDataRoaming Microsoft PowerPoint

• Copy the unsaved PPT file you want to recover to another directory, then double-click to open it in PowerPoint.

To increase the frequency with which AutoRecover backs up your PowerPoint presentations and improve the chances of retrieving the most recent unsaved changes, you must:

• Select the File tab and choose Options (or More > Options ).

• Select the Save category on the PowerPoint Options sidebar.
• Modify the box next to Save AutoRecover information every x minutes .

For example, enter a value of 1 if you want the PowerPoint recovery tool to back up unsaved changes every minute.

Recover Unsaved PowerPoint Files on macOS

Like on Windows, AutoRecover is available on Microsoft PowerPoint for macOS. If you’re working on a PowerPoint presentation on a Mac and experience a sudden crash or shutdown, you should be able to use it to recover the unsaved changes and prevent data loss.

Just re-open PowerPoint. AutoRecover should automatically re-open the presentation you were last working on, allowing you to save the changes permanently.

Suppose that doesn’t happen. Just:

• Open the Home button and choose Open .
• Select Recover Unsaved Presentations .
• Double-click the PPTX file you want to recover.

If the Recover Unsaved Presentations button is not visible, manually visit PowerPoint’s AutoRecover temp folder and retrieve the presentation via Finder.

• Open Finder and select Go > Go to Folder on the menu bar.

• Copy the following path and press Return :

~/Library/Containers/com. Microsoft.Powerpoint /Data/Library/Preferences/ AutoRecovery

• Copy the file you want to recover to a different location.

Manually recovered AutoRecover backups for the Mac do not have a specified file type, so you must go through the following steps to view them in PowerPoint.

• Right-click the auto-recovered PPTX file and select Open with > Other .

• Select All Applications on the drop-down menu next to Enable .
• Select Microsoft PowerPoint within the list of applications and choose Open .

By default, AutoRecover saves your presentations every 10 minutes. If you want to increase the chances of recovering the most recent changes:

• Open PowerPoint and select PowerPoint > Preferences on the menu bar.

• Select Save .

• Modify the box next to Save AutoRecover information every x minutes and enter a new value—e.g., 1 to make AutoRecover back up your presentation every minute.

Other Methods to Recover PowerPoint Files:

Unsaved PowerPoint presentations aside, you might have to deal with misplaced or deleted PowerPoint files every now and then. When that happens, here are several ways you can try to get them back.

Check PowerPoint’s Recents List

If you can’t remember the location of a PPTX file, just check PowerPoint’s Recent list on the Start Screen. If the presentation is listed there, select to open it.

Use Windows Search or Spotlight

Your PC or Mac keeps an index of whatever’s in its internal storage. If you can remember the file name of a lost presentation (or even part of it), try searching for it through Windows Search or Spotlight Search.

Check the Recycle Bin or Trash

Windows and macOS store deleted items for 30 days, so check the Recycle Bin or Trash if you can’t find a presentation. If the PPTX file is inside, you can restore it to its original location.

Use File History or Time Machine

You should be able to recover a lost PowerPoint file if your PC or Mac is set to back up to an external hard drive. Learn how to retrieve deleted files or previous versions using File History or Time Machine.

Use a File Recovery Tool

If all else fails, use data recovery software to retrieve deleted PowerPoint files. Check our list of top file recovery programs for the PC and Mac .

Don’t Forget to Save or AutoSave Your Presentations

Losing an unsaved PowerPoint presentation can be a frustrating experience, but with AutoRecover, you can recover your work and stop having to start over from scratch.

Regardless, it’s best not to leave things to chance, so remember to always save your work frequently. If you prefer storing your presentations on OneDrive, use the AutoSave feature in Microsoft Office to avoid lost data.

Dilum Senevirathne is a freelance tech writer and blogger with three years of experience writing for online technology publications. He specializes in topics related to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and Google web apps. When he isn't hammering away at his Magic Keyboard, you can catch him binge-watching productivity hacks on YouTube. Read Dilum's Full Bio

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How to Recover a Deleted or Unsaved PowerPoint File

After hours of piecing together the perfect presentation, disaster happens the next morning as you go present it: It’s gone. No matter how frantically you search File Explorer, your precious PowePoint presentation is gone. Microsoft, though, has your back. As long as you haven’t disabled autorecovery, the file should still be on your machine -- or in the cloud, if you’re an Office365 user. It’s not foolproof, but you can often recover these accidentally deleted files.

Next time, however, you might want to save a redundant copy to the cloud, just in case.

1. Open a blank Microsoft PowerPoint document and click the File tab .

2. Click the Options link at the bottom.

3. Choose the Save option from the left .

4.Once you find the section with a path showing where your autosaved documents go, select and copy it . In my case, it’s here: C:\Users\Bryan\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\PowerPoint\

5. Open File Explorer and paste in the copied file path . Hit enter .

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6. Here, we’ll see the last save of the document I was working on, which starts with the name “MYPRESENTATION.” Click it to open the file .

7. Right click the Microsoft PowerPoint file, and select Open with .

8. Choose PowerPoint, and click Ok .

Microsoft PowerPoint Tips

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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 .

Watch the video below to see how you can restore your work.

• If PowerPoint recovers any unsaved files when you open it, a Document Recovery window will appear.
• Click on the file to open it and then close the window.
• If the Document Recovery window does not appear, click on the File tab in the PowerPoint menu.
• Select Open at the bottom of the recent presentations.
• Click on Recover Unsaved Presentations .
• Select the unsaved file that you want to recover and open it.

We also recommend saving the recovered file in order to prevent losing it in the future. Keep this shortcut in mind next time you have computer trouble, and hopefully, your hard work won't be lost!

Now let’s go over the steps for compressing media files in PowerPoint. 

/en/powerpoint-tips/compress-media-files/content/

6 Ways to Fix Microsoft PowerPoint Not Saving Files on Windows

Pankil is a Civil Engineer turned freelance writer. Since his arrival at Guiding Tech in 2021, he delves into the world of how-tos, and troubleshooting guides for Android, iOS, and Windows. Besides his new-found love for mechanical keyboards, he's a disciplined footfall fan and loves international travel with his wife.

• Make sure your PowerPoint presentation is not open in another program on your PC.
• If PowerPoint is not saving a specific PPT, copy the slides into a new file and then try to save it.
• Run the Office repair tool if you continue to experience problems saving PowerPoint files.

Fix 1: Make Sure the File Is Not Opened Elsewhere

Having a PowerPoint file open in multiple apps can prevent you from editing it. To avoid this, you first need to ensure that your presentation isn’t open in any other program.

Such issues can also arise if the file is opened in File Explorer’s Preview Pane. Several users on the Microsoft forums reported fixing the problem by disabling the Preview Pane in File Explorer . You can also give it a try.

Step 1: Press the Windows + E keyboard shortcut to open File Explorer.

Step 2: Click the View menu at the top, go to Show , and deselect the Preview pane option. Try saving your file after this and see if it works.

Fix 2: Save the File in Another Location

A lack of relevant permissions to access a specific directory on Windows could prevent PowerPoint from saving files. To fix this, you can try saving the file in a different directory. In the PowerPoint app, press the Ctrl + Shift + S keyboard shortcut to bring up the Save As dialog box. Select a new location for the file and hit Save .

If you can’t save the file in the PPTX format, use the “Save as type” drop-down menu to select the PPT format and hit Save .

Fix 3: Copy Your Presentation to a New File

If PowerPoint is having trouble saving a specific PPT, there might be a problem with the file itself. In that case, you can resolve the issue by copying the slides from the problematic PowerPoint file and pasting them into a new file. Here are the steps for the same.

Step 1: Open your PowerPoint file and select any slide. Then, press Ctrl + A to select all the slides.

Step 2: Right-click on your selection and choose Copy .

Step 3: Press Ctrl + N to create a new PowerPoint file, and press Ctrl + V to paste your slides.

Step 4: Press the Ctrl + S keyboard shortcut and then save your file.

Fix 4: Remove ActiveMovie Control From Microsoft Visual Basic Userform

Another thing you can do when PowerPoint displays the “An error occurred while PowerPoint was saving the file” message is to remove the ActiveMovie control from Microsoft Visual Basic Userform. Here’s how you can go about it.

Step 1: In the PowerPoint app, switch to the Developer tab and click the Visual Basic option.

Step 2: Click the Insert UserForm icon on the toolbar and select UserForm .

Step 3: Click the File menu at the top and select Remove UserForm .

Step 4: Select No to continue.

Step 5: Click the File menu again and select Close and Return to Microsoft PowerPoint .

Try to save your file once again and see if it works.

Fix 5: Sign Out and Sign Back In

Authentication problems with your Office account can sometimes prevent PowerPoint from saving your files. You can sign out of the app and sign back in to fix the problem.

Step 1: Open the PowerPoint app and click the File menu at the top.

Step 2: Switch to the Account tab and click the Sign out option.

Sign back into the app with your account and check if the issue persists.

Fix 6: Run the Office Repair Tool

Running the Microsoft Office repair tool is an effective way to fix issues with Office apps like PowerPoint. So, if nothing works, you can run the Office repair tool as a last resort.

Step 1: Right-click on the Start icon and select Installed apps from the list.

Step 2: Locate the Microsoft Office suite on the list. Click the menu icon next to it and select Modify .

Step 3: Select Online Repair and click Repair .

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Last updated on 21 May, 2024

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• Recovers deleted, lost, and unsaved PPT files effectively and completely.
• Handles 500+ data loss scenarios, including accidental deletion, system crash, disk corruption, virus attack, etc.
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PowerPoint File Recovery: How To Recover Unsaved or Deleted PowerPoint Files

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Since its release in 1987, PowerPoint has been a go-to platform for creating presentations that support speeches with graphical data. The app first used the PPT format, which was replaced by PPTX in 2007 and brought numerous improvements.

However, neither the PPTX format nor the PowerPoint app are perfect. The files are prone to corruption and viruses, and forgetting to save your work or experiencing a system crash when working with PowerPoint can lead to data loss.

Fortunately, Microsoft has fixed most issues with AutoSave and AutoRecovery features, but there's still a need for a reputable data recovery solution.

Table of Content

How powerpoint files get lost.

• Recover Deleted/Lost/Unsaved PPT With Wondershare Recoverit
• Look for Your Unsaved PowerPoint Files in Temporary Folder
• Use PowerPoint's Recover Unsaved Presentations Feature
• Recover an Unsaved PPT File Using PowerPoint AutoRecover
• Recover a Deleted PowerPoint File From Recycle Bin
• Recover a Lost PowerPoint File Using Windows File History

How To Ensure You Don't Lose PowerPoint Files in the Future

To help you navigate various data loss scenarios, we've created a detailed table explaining how PowerPoint files get lost, the causes behind these issues, and their appropriate solutions.

How To Recover Deleted or Unsaved PowerPoint Files

Now that we know more about the possible issues related to PowerPoint files and their respective causes and solutions, we can dive straight into the steps for applying each solution. In this article, we are focusing on recovering a deleted or unsaved PowerPoint file on Windows 11/10. If you are a Mac user, you can refer to our guide for PowerPoint file recovery on Mac .

Method 1. Recover Deleted/Lost/Unsaved PPT With Wondershare Recoverit

Situations where your deleted or unsaved PowerPoint files are gone can be particularly frustrating. Fortunately, dedicated data recovery solutions like Wondershare Recoverit can help and work wonders in numerous data loss cases.

• Recover deleted, unsaved, or lost PPT/PPTX files effectively, safely, and completely.
• Manages over 500 data loss situations, such as accidental deletion, app or system crashes, virus infection, and hard drive failure.
• Repairs corrupted PowerPoint file automatically in the preview process.

Using the app is also incredibly straightforward. Here's how you can do that:

Accidentally deleting data like PowerPoint presentations can be scary. Still, there's nothing to fear when you have a dedicated data recovery tool like Wondershare Recoverit. Recovering deleted files is quick and effortless - as you can see, it only takes a few clicks and minutes of your time.

It can recover over 1,000 file types, including photos, videos, music, and documents, and works wonders with over 2,000 different storage devices like internal and external drives, NAS servers, USBs, etc.

Method 2. Look for Your Unsaved PowerPoint Files in Temporary Folder

Windows and macOS systems have a temporary file folder, also known as a cache folder, which stores the most recent data the user or system uses. This folder is often filled with recently downloaded Windows or macOS updates, files downloaded through the browser, and items currently in use, like PPT/PPTX files.

Therefore, looking into these folders on either operating system for PowerPoint presentations is an excellent idea. On Windows, you can access the folder by following these steps:

• Open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Users\ YourUserName \AppData\Roaming\Microsoft .

• Copy and paste these files to the desktop and change their extension from ".tmp" to ".ppt" or ".pptx" depending on your Microsoft Office version, with PPTX being the default format for versions from 2007 and newer.

For macOS, you'll need to follow different steps:

• Close down all your active applications.
• In Finder, click on Go > Go to Folder , and enter the following command: ~/Library/Caches
• Once inside the cache folder on Mac, locate PPT/PPTX files and drag them to the desktop, or open them and save your presentations elsewhere.

It's worth noting that deleting temporary files and cache is also an excellent way to increase your storage space, but it should only be done after you've found the data you need.

Method 3. Use PowerPoint's Recover Unsaved Presentations Feature

Temporary or cached PPT/PPTX files can also be found in the Microsoft PowerPoint app through the Recent feature, which requires similar steps on Windows and macOS. Here's how you can find it:

• Launch the Microsoft PowerPoint app after it or the system has crashed.
• Click the File menu and then select Open .

• Choose the unsaved recent PowerPoint presentation and open it.

It's highly recommended that you save the file to a safe location as soon as you open it to avoid app or system crashes affecting your files again.

Method 4. Recover an Unsaved PPT File Using PowerPoint AutoRecover

The last few versions of PowerPoint include a nifty little feature called AutoRecover. Microsoft added this feature into a few Office apps to allow users to recover files in case of system or app crashes. You can find the AutoRecover feature by following these steps on Windows or macOS:

• Open a PowerPoint presentation and navigate to File > Home > Options > Save .

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

You can also change the frequency of the Autorecover feature by modifying the Save every X minutes box. The AutoRecover File Location box is also here, allowing you to change the location where PowerPoint files are saved.

Method 5. Recover a Deleted PowerPoint File From Recycle Bin

If you've accidentally deleted PowerPoint presentations that you still need, these PPT or PPTX files have likely wound up in Windows' Recycle Bin, so you can effortlessly recover them. Here's how:

• Open the Recycle Bin.

• Find the restored PPT/PPTX files in the folders they've previously occupied before deletion.

If you have emptied the Recycle Bin , you'll need to go back to the Wondershare Recoverit solution and use that, as a dedicated data recovery app is the only thing that can help in such situations.

Try Wondershare Recoverit to Recover Unsaved/Deleted PowerPoint

Method 6. recover a lost powerpoint file using windows file history.

If you're a Windows user, you're likely aware of the built-in backup and recovery tools by the name File History. This tool is handy in situations related to accidental file deletion, failing disk drives, and mistakenly formatted storage devices.

Here's how to use File History on Windows 10 to recover your lost or unsaved PowerPoint presentations:

• Click it, then you will get the list of the backed up files. Find the unsaved powerpoint file you wish to recover, then click the green icon to restore it.

If you have upgraded your system to the latest Windows 11 version, follow these steps:

• If you didn't use File History before, you need to turn it on and select a drive to backup.

• Check the avaiable backup files and find the powerpoint file you are trying to recover.
• Once you find it, click the green icon and restore it.

Remember that you can only use File History if you've previously set up these features and use them as backup options. If that's not the case, you'll have to use the mentioned data recovery method.

Although recovering PPT/PPTX nowadays is effortless, with numerous solutions that can help regardless of how you lost data, prevention is still better than treating. We've included a few tips to help you avoid PowerPoint data loss in the future:

• Manually Save Files - While Microsoft's AutoSave and AutoRecover features are fantastic, and you should undoubtedly keep them enabled on supported apps, manually saving your work is still relevant and necessary. Creating a habit of hitting CTRL + S whenever you get up from the PC or every few minutes can be immensely helpful.
• Use Reliable Backup Software - Windows and macOS provide decent and helpful built-in backup tools like Backup and Restore , File History , and Time Machine . However, a dedicated backup tool like Wondershare UBackit is even better, providing more options and features like scheduled and automatic backups.
• Install a Trustworthy Antivirus - Keeping a reliable AV or anti-malware tool on your computer is vital for protecting yourself from digital threats. And since viruses and malware can cause chaos, delete data, encrypt files, and lead to corruption, there are even more reasons to get a proper security app.
• Invest in a UPS - System crashes are often caused by power loss, and if you live in an area where power surges are common, investing in a UPS is a terrific idea. Not only will it save you from losing valuable data, but it'll also keep your hardware components healthy, as power surges can damage them.

Separating your OS, applications, media, and vital or work files is also a great option, and you can do that by dividing your disk drive into partitions. Alternatively, you can invest in multiple HDD/SSDs, each with different types of files.

Microsoft PowerPoint is one of the most widely used applications for creating graphical presentations that support speeches. It uses PPT and PPTX files, which, although massively improved over the years, are still prone to accidental deletion, viruses, or corruption. The app can also suffer from power losses and system crashes, resulting in deleted or unsaved PowerPoint presentations.

There are numerous culprits behind PowerPoint presentation data loss, and we've included a detailed table with the most common cases and their causes and appropriate solutions.

From utilizing PowerPoint's AutoSave and AutoRecover features to looking through temporary files to using dedicated data recovery tools like Wondershare Recoverit, there are numerous methods for retrieving PPT/PPTX data, and we've included the top solutions for recovering deleted and unsaved PowerPoint files.

Easily recover deleted or lost files from 2000+ storage devices like HDDs, SSDs, external drivs, USB drives, memory cards, and more. The software confidently retrieves all data types, regardless of how they went missing.

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Save Your Deck: Methods to Recover an Unsaved PowerPoint File

September 11, 2014 / Blog, PowerPoint Tips, PowerPoint Tutorial powerpoint file recovery, Powerpoint tips, powerpoint tutorial

Sheer panic—that’s probably your first reaction when you realize that you weren’t able to save the PowerPoint file you were working on. Maybe the power went out or your computer unexpectedly crashed. Maybe you were too preoccupied that you didn’t think to hit “Save.” Whatever the reason, you’ve suddenly lost hours of hard work and you have no clue how to get it all back.

Luckily, there’s no reason to stress over losing an unsaved PowerPoint file. If you’re using the latest versions of PowerPoint, you can easily retrieve and recover all your hard work. Follow these steps to recover a PowerPoint file you accidentally lost:

Method One: Recover Unsaved Presentations

If you were interrupted before you ever got the chance to save your PowerPoint file, you can simply look for it in the Microsoft Unsaved Files   folder. Go to the  File tab, make sure you’re on Recent and click on  Recover Unsaved Presentations . The icon is right below the list of folders under  Recent Places .

Everything in the Unsaved folder are temporary files. Make sure you recover and save everything you need, because you might lose it after a few days.

Method Two: AutoRecover

If you’ve been periodically saving your work but was interrupted before you could save specific changes, you can retrieve your PowerPoint file using the AutoRecover function. First, check if you have it enabled. Go to the  File  tab, click on  Options and go to  Save . Make sure your options are similar to those in this picture:

If you don’t have AutoRecover enabled, there’s no other way to retrieve the changes you made to your PowerPoint file. You will have to redo your work from the last save. But if everything looks good, you can then follow these steps:

1.) In the same dialogue box, copy the file destination path .

2.) Open  Windows Explorer , paste the path on the address bar, and hit  Enter .

To avoid losing any crucial information, make sure AutoRecover is enabled every time you start creating a PowerPoint deck.

Retrieving an unsaved PowerPoint file is a no-brainer as long as you know these basic recovery methods.

You can either open the “Recover Unsaved Presentations” found in the “Recent Places” or use the AutoRecover function to check where that unsaved document must be hiding.

Learn these tricks by heart so you don’t have to worry about getting your presentation back!

Ready to take your presentation to the next level? Schedule a free presentation consultation now.

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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.

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PowerPoint is Frozen? FIX it in 2 Minutes! [Step-by-Step Guide!]

By: Author Shrot Katewa

Although Microsoft PowerPoint is great when it comes to its powerful features, one of the biggest pain points is the constant crashing of the PowerPoint application. You’ll often see that PowerPoint just freezes or hangs and just refuses to work!

As annoying as it is, here’s how you could fix your PowerPoint application when it is frozen and fails to respond –

Start by closing any other application that is not being used. Ensure that you close all the tabs in a browser. If PowerPoint still doesn’t respond, then press Ctrl+Alt+Del keys on Windows (Option+Cmd+Esc on Mac), select PowerPoint in the pop-up window, and press “End Task” (“Force Quit” on Mac).

This will work in most cases. However, I’d also want you to check out some of the other ways you can fix it just to be sure what works best for you!

So, in this article, I will help you understand the nuances of how to fix PowerPoint when it is frozen, or unresponsive!

A Quick Note Before We Begin – if you want to make jaw-dropping presentations, I would recommend using one of these Presentation Designs . The best part is – it is only $16.5 a month, but you get to download and use as many presentation designs as you like! I personally use it from time-to-time, and it makes my task of making beautiful presentations really quick and easy!

How to Unfreeze PowerPoint?

First, let’s understand some basics –

There are several reasons why your PowerPoint application may freeze or hang. We’ll take a look at the detailed list of reason slightly later in the article. But, one of the most common reasons for an unresponsive PowerPoint application is – several unused software windows running in the background .

When using multiple applications, the RAM of your computer can not allocate enough space to run PowerPoint (or even other applications at the same time).

So, the best way to unfreeze a PowerPoint application is to do the following –

• Use the “ Windows Task Manager ” to identify which application is causing the issue. To open the task manager, right-click on the “Task Bar” (bottom bar on your windows screen that shows the time and icons for all applications), and from the window that pops-up, click on “Task Manager”.

In the task manager, sort the applications by clicking on “ Memory “. This will show all the processes in descending order based on the RAM usage by each application. Select the application process, and click on “End Task” to close that application if it is not required.

• If you are unsure which application is causing the issue, then you should close all your unused applications one by one. If you are unable to close them, then right-click on them in the Windows Pane on the bottom of your computer screen, and from the pop-up window, select “ End Task “. Do this for each application. You can even use the Windows Task Manager to complete the process just the way I described it in step 1.
• Furthermore, if you have several folders open, close each file folder as well one by one.
• If your PowerPoint still doesn’t respond, then you can press the “ Ctrl + Alt + Del ” keys on your keyboard at the same time, a couple of times. This will also open up the task manager. Click on PowerPoint , and then click on “ End Task “.
• This will close the PowerPoint application window and you will need to start the PowerPoint application once again.

If you do end up having to force quit the PowerPoint file by using the “End Task” process described in step 4, then PowerPoint will restore the data until the previous autosave. In order to avoid data loss, ensure that you press “Ctrl + S” every couple of minutes so that your PowerPoint file is always saved.

Lastly, if nothing works, then you will have to restart your computer in order to reset everything on your computer! Although this will inevitably fix the freezing issue on PowerPoint, it can also result in significant data loss.

The aforementioned steps will fix a vast majority of the issues responsible for PowerPoint freezing or crashing.

That said, sometimes the RAM of your computer may not necessarily be at fault, and force quitting or using the “End Task” button may not be a good option to go for. In order to understand this, let us first understand what causes a PowerPoint file to freeze?

What Causes PowerPoint To Freeze?

There are several culprits that can cause PowerPoint to freeze. Sometimes, there may be multiple reasons at play! So you really need to be cognizant of the various factors that can cause a PowerPoint file to crash.

Let’s look at the common issues responsible for PowerPoint freezing and a possible solution for each of the issues –

If the issue still persists, you can send the feedback directly to the PowerPoint team through your PowerPoint application.

The process of sending feedback varies based on the version of PowerPoint that you are using. However, this link will help you understand the steps correctly.

Sending feedback may not necessarily fix your problem immediately. However, there is a possibility that the developer team at Microsoft may be able to resolve the problem that you are facing (if it is an issue they have encountered before). Alternatively, they will add it to the list of fixes they intend to carry out in the next update (most likely).

How to Save a PowerPoint file that is Not Responding?

The fear of losing your unsaved projects when the PowerPoint software isn’t responding is quite real. To avoid such a scenario in the nearest future, ensure you activate the “Autosave” feature before working on the project.

That said, in the case where the PowerPoint software has frozen before saving the project, you can use PowerPoint’s “Auto Recovery” feature.

To access unsaved PowerPoint files, open the PowerPoint application. Click on the “File” tab and click “Open”. Next, click on the “Recent” tab. On the window that opens up, click on “Recover Unsaved Presentations” below the list to find your file.

Here’s a quick video to guide you through the process –

Once you have opened the correct unsaved PowerPoint file using the above process, make sure you save it first. To do that, simply click on “ File “, then click “ Save “. You can also just press “ Ctrl+S ” to save your file.

What to do if PowerPoint is Not Responding in Zoom?

With the majority of our meetings taking place virtually today, it is essential to have software like Zoom fully operational on your computer.

The easiest way to fix your PowerPoint when it is not responding while using Zoom is to restart your computer. Then, launch PowerPoint before you start Zoom. If the issue persists, then avoid using the Zoom app and join the meeting in your browser instead.

In case you are facing issues showing your PowerPoint presentation while using Zoom, check out our complete guide on how to give a Presentation using Zoom!

PowerPoint Crashes When Recording a Narration

If you experiencing a sudden crash after clicking “Save” when recording on PowerPoint or when you try to record the narration itself, there may be multiple issues at play. You may perhaps notice that the “Record Narration” window goes completely blank or transparent and unresponsive.

In most cases, crashing of PowerPoint when recording a narration is associated with an outdated PowerPoint application, an add-in that interferes with your application, or when there is a conflict with your antivirus. You can fix this issue by disabling add-ins in PowerPoint that cause the issue.

To disable the add-ins that may be causing the interference, go through the following steps –

• Open PowerPoint in Safe Mode. Click “Ctrl” key while opening the application.
• In PowerPoint, go to “ File “, then click “ Options “. Finally, click “ Add-Ins “
• From the dropdown, select “ COM Add-ins “, and click “ Go “
• In the new window that pop-up, uncheck all the add-in. Alternatively, click “ Unload ” to disable all the checked add-ins.
• Restart PowerPoint.

This should fix the issues related to the PowerPoint add-ins conflict.

Next, update your MicroPowerPoint application and enable the auto-update option for Microsoft PowerPoint.

How to Fix “PowerPoint Not Responding on Mac” Issue

Mac users often have to deal with PowerPoint freeze from time to time. When this occurs, the first step of resolving the issue would be to check running processes.

PowerPoint alone shouldn’t cause a Mac the slightest headache; more so a “Not responding” issue. However, having multiple programs opened could get neck-deep into the OS speed. This can be fixed by pressing Cmd + Alt + Esc on the resources. This opens the “Force Close” application menu for closing the programs abruptly.

If the issues persist, the next alternative would be checking the disk permissions of your Mac. There’s been a historical clash between disc permissions and Microsoft’s Office for Mac. Users always have settings on their Mac or PowerPoint countering one another which often results in a freeze or “Not responding” error message.

To fix this crashing issue, select the “Utilities & Disc Utility” on your Mac and highlight the drive where your PowerPoint software is installed. Pick the “First Aid Tab” and choose “Repair Disk Permissions”. However, if your computer asks permission to format the disk, make sure that you select “No”. Otherwise, this may lead to complete data loss of your computer.

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How to Recover Deleted PowerPoint Slides – Step by Step Guide

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The Importance of Your Slides

When you pour your heart and soul into a PowerPoint presentation, each slide represents not just information but also hours of research, design, and planning. Losing even a single slide can mean logistical troubles and potentially diminished presentation quality. That’s why knowing how to recover deleted PowerPoint slides can save you from extra work and stress, helping you maintain the integrity and impact of your final presentation.

Download our 101 Advanced Excel Formulas & Functions Examples !

Key Takeaways

• Utilize specialized recovery software like PowerPoint Recovery Tool which allows users to detect, preview, and save repaired or recovered PowerPoint slides, even if they are corrupted or damaged.
• Ensure that the AutoRecover feature in MS PowerPoint is enabled, which frequently saves backup copies that can be retrieved from the AutoRecover folder following the specific directory path provided in the PowerPoint settings.
• For users with a OneDrive account, there is a possibility to recover deleted slides through the platform’s version history or backup features, which can serve as an additional safety net for lost files.

Common Scenarios for Slide Deletion

It’s not uncommon to face situations where you might accidentally delete a slide or two. Maybe you’re trimming down a lengthy presentation and unintentionally remove something important. Or perhaps in the midst of a team collaboration, slides get lost or overwritten by mistake. Power outages, hardware malfunctions, or software crashes can also lead to lost work, and sometimes, it’s just a matter of an unintended click or pressing the wrong key that can result in deletion.

Table of Contents

Essential Steps to Retrieve Deleted PowerPoint Slides

Utilizing the recycle bin.

Harnessing AutoRecovery Features

Advanced Recovery Solutions

Navigating temporary files and autosave locations.

Should you need to dig deeper to find your lost slides, temporary files and AutoSave locations are your next go-to spots. For Windows users, you can navigate to the folder specified by the AutoRecover file location in your PowerPoint options, often found under “C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\PowerPoint\”. On a Mac, you’ll look in “/Users/[YourUsername]/Library/Containers/Microsoft PowerPoint/Data/Library/Preferences/AutoRecovery”.

AutoSave, a feature available to Microsoft 365 subscribers, saves your files to OneDrive or SharePoint Online automatically. Hence, if you were working on a file sync’d with one of these services, check the file history or the online recycle bin – the previous versions of your file might just be there, waiting to be reclaimed.

To manually retrieve an AutoRecover file, try opening PowerPoint and it should present you with recovered files if there are any. If not, you can manually navigate to the AutoRecover directory and look for files with the “.tmp” extension which might be your unsaved slides.

Exploring Cloud Storage and Version History

Leveraging cloud storage solutions like OneDrive , Google Drive , and Dropbox adds an extra layer of protection for your PowerPoint slides. These services offer their version history feature, allowing you to view and restore to earlier versions of your file. You might find the previous iteration you’re longing for, or you may be able to recover a version before the deletion occurred.

Preventative Measures to Avoid Slide Loss

Best practices for saving your work.

To save your sanity along with your slides, adhere to these best practices for saving your PowerPoint work: first and foremost, make a habit of hitting [Ctrl] + [S] frequently to save your changes. It’s a quick action that can prevent a lot of grief. Additionally, get into a routine of creating backups for your files by saving them in multiple locations, such as on your local drive and in the cloud.

Consider setting reminders to save your work if you tend to get caught up in the flow and forget. Another good practice is to use versioning with your file names (e.g., presentation_v1, presentation_v2) so you can easily track changes and revert to earlier versions if necessary.

Implementing an automatic backup system on your computer, external hard drive , or cloud service is also a strong preventive measure. Your future self will thank you for the time and effort you put into keeping your work safe.

Leveraging PowerPoint’s Built-In Tools for Data Protection

Tips for Managing and Organizing PowerPoint Slides

Deleting slides without losing information.

Thinking about trimming your PowerPoint presentation? Keep in mind that you can delete slides without permanently losing the content. Before hitting that delete button, consider transferring content to an appendix section at the end of the presentation or saving the slides in a separate backup file. That way, you retain access to all your original information which could come in handy for future presentations or reference.

Understanding the Impact on Slide Numbering and Presentations

When you delete slides, be mindful of their impact on the overall flow and numbering of your presentation. In PowerPoint, slide numbers typically auto-update to reflect the current sequence after deletion, which keeps your presentation tidy and sequential. But this can also disrupt your narration or references made to slide numbers in speech or handouts.

To stay on top of things, check the numbering for consistency post-deletion, especially if you’ve specifically referred to slide numbers within your talk or in accompanying materials. Revisit your notes and edit any numerical references that no longer correlate with the updated slide order.

Additionally, consider the narrative sequence post-deletion. Make sure the removal doesn’t create gaps in information that would confuse your audience. If a slide with critical transition content is removed, you may need to update surrounding slides to maintain a coherent story flow.

Professional Tools and Software Aids for Recovery

Powerpoint recovery with specialized software.

Should all else fail, specialized PowerPoint recovery software can be your knight in shining digital armor. Programs like Easy PowerPoint Recovery are crafted to scour your storage for traces of lost or deleted presentations. They boast impressive algorithms that, more often than not, can piece together your precious work, preserving formatting, slide order, and media intact.

The beauty of these tools lies in their capacity to recover slides even from damaged, formatted, or inaccessible drives. With a full preview feature, these programs let you peek at the recoverable content before you commit to the actual recovery process, ensuring you know exactly what you’re restoring.

Always opt for reputable software solutions that prioritize the integrity of your data. And remember, the sooner you act after a file loss, the better the chances of full recovery.

When to Choose a Recovery Service Provider

If you’re struggling with complex data loss scenarios, or if the DIY recovery methods have hit a wall, it might be time to call in the pros. A recovery service provider steps in when the stakes are high: perhaps the presentation carries significant business value or contains irreplaceable research data. These services leverage advanced tools and techniques, often in a laboratory setting, to resurrect files that standard software can’t touch.

Consider a service provider when you’ve exhausted all other options, if the drive is physically damaged, or if the data loss situation is too intricate for consumer software. It’s a higher-priced route but one that maximizes your chances of recovery for truly critical data.

Before you decide, vet the service provider thoroughly for credibility and success rates, and ensure they provide a clear and transparent pricing structure.

Can I recover a slide that was not saved before deletion?

Yes, it’s possible to recover unsaved slides if PowerPoint’s AutoRecovery feature was enabled or if you’re using AutoSave in Microsoft 365. Otherwise, you might find a temporary version in the PowerPoint autosave folder or through your cloud storage’s version history feature.

How do I restore a previous slide?

To restore a previous slide, navigate to the ‘File’ menu in PowerPoint, select ‘Info’, then ‘Version history’. Choose an earlier version that contains the slide you want to recover. If your file is saved on OneDrive, right-click on it, select ‘Version History’ and restore the desired version.

How can I prevent future loss of PowerPoint slides?

To prevent future slide loss, save your work frequently and enable AutoSave in PowerPoint if you have Microsoft 365. Use the AutoRecover feature, maintain regular backups on different devices, and consider cloud storage services for real-time syncing. Investing in reliable antivirus software and ensuring your system’s software is up-to-date are also key preventative measures.

John Michaloudis

John Michaloudis is a former accountant and finance analyst at General Electric, a Microsoft MVP since 2020, an Amazon #1 bestselling author of 4 Microsoft Excel books and teacher of Microsoft Excel & Office over at his flagship Academy Online Course .

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Save a PowerPoint presentation

Save your presentation, so you don't lose all your hard work. Then, print it to share it with others.

Save your presentation

Click FILE > Save , pick or browse to a folder, type a name for your presentation in the File name box, and click Save .

Save your work as you go. Hit Ctrl+S often.

Basic tasks for creating a PowerPoint 2013 presentation

What's new in PowerPoint 2013

Probably the most important part of creating a presentation, other than writing it is, of course, saving it.

For example, if the power were to go out right now, all of our hard work would be gone, unless we'd saved it to a file.

Here is an easy way to do that. Move up here to this set of commands called the Quick Access Toolbar , and click Save .

The first time you save a presentation, you come to this area, called the backstage.

You won’t find any formatting commands here.

The backstage is all about opening, saving, printing, sharing, exporting, and modifying PowerPoint options.

In other words, all that behind-the-scene stuff.

Save As is selected when you first save a presentation.

Here, you choose whether you want to save it to your Computer , or to the cloud using Microsoft 365 or OneDrive .

I have already signed in to my online account, so now I can click here, and browse for a location on my OneDrive.

Enter a filename and click Save .

It is just like saving to a computer, except that now I can access the file on any computer connected to the Internet.

Or, I can share it with others by sending an email message containing a link to the online file.

After you save your presentation, you can keep working on it, if you want.

But, remember to save it often, so you don’t lose any new work.

If you want to print your presentation, click the FILE tab to go to the backstage, and click Print .

You can see a preview of how it will look after it is printed. Select a printer here. Then, click Print .

However, before we do any printing, we need to finish the slides.

Up next, we’ll insert some things in the presentation.

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How to use Google Slides, Google's free slideshow presentation maker

• Google Slides is Google's slideshow presentation program that allows real time collaboration.
• Google Slides is part of the Google Workspace suite, which also includes Google Docs and Gmail.
• Google Slides differs from Microsoft PowerPoint in its simplicity and collaboration options.

Google Slides is a presentation program that's part of Google Workspace, a group of productivity apps that also includes Gmail, Google Sheets, Goole Docs, Google Meet , and more. Workspace has more than 3 billion users worldwide. 

With Google Slides, users can create, present, and collaborate via online presentations from various devices. You can present during Google Meet calls directly from Slides and embed charts from Google Sheets. You can also add YouTube videos to Slides presentations. 

Google recently announced plans to add artificial intelligence features like its Gemini AI tool to its Workspace programs, which include Slides. Users will be able to use Gemini to create images or written content for slides, or even reference other files in their Drives or emails in their Gmail accounts.

What is Google Slides? 

Google Slides is a cloud-based presentation program that's part of the Google Workspace. Google Slides can be used to create and deliver presentations online. 

Several different themes are available in Slides for designing presentations. Users can customize Slides presentations in a variety of colors and styles. You can add photos, videos from YouTube, charts from Google Sheets , and information from many other sources. Different members of a team can contribute and collaborate on the presentation in real time. 

There's no specific limit on how many slides you can add to your Google Slides presentation, but there is a 100 MB file size limit.

How to download Google Slides 

To access Google Slides, visit slides.google.com . 

Related stories

You can also open Slides while Gmail or Google Chrome is open by clicking on the Google Apps icon in the upper-right corner (shown as three rows of dots) and selecting Slides. 

Another option is to download the Google Slides app for your Apple or Android device. Search for Google Slides in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

What templates are available? 

Dozens of Google Slides templates are available, depending on your needs. For instance, there are general presentation templates, photography portfolios, pitch decks, case studies, science fair projects, and more. 

To browse the templates available, open Google Slides. Then, click Template Gallery in the upper-right corner. Scroll through the options, choose the one that meets your needs, and start creating a presentation. 

What's the difference between Google Slides and PowerPoint? 

Both Google Slides and PowerPoint are presentation programs. Google Slides is a program within Google Workspace, and PowerPoint is a Microsoft program. PowerPoint is an offline program, while Slides is online which allows for real time collaboration.

The programs share many features that allow for presentation creation and delivery, but PowerPoint may offer more advanced design features. 

You can convert Google Slides into PowerPoint presentations, and vice versa. From the top menu in Slides, click File, Download, and choose Microsoft PowerPoint. 

How to learn to use Google Slides 

Through Google Workspace, you can access several quick-start guides, cheat sheets, and troubleshooting resources to help you learn to use Google Slides. There are also many YouTube videos with tutorials for using Slides.

On February 28, Axel Springer, Business Insider's parent company, joined 31 other media groups and filed a $2.3 billion suit against Google in Dutch court, alleging losses suffered due to the company's advertising practices.

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accidentally deleted powerpoint slides and pressed save - how do i recover

i thought i saved as for a new powerpoint so i could create a new deck from the previous draft, but i hadnt, and when i deleted all the slides and pressed save, i no longer can go back and undo what i have done, anyway of recovering these slides? i cant recover old versions as i hadnt activated that

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• Microsoft Agent |

I'm sorry to hear that you accidentally deleted your PowerPoint slides and saved the changes. If you haven't saved a backup copy of your presentation or if you didn't save it to OneDrive or SharePoint, it may not be possible to recover the deleted slides.

(If you saved presentation in OneDrive or SharePoint, you may try the Version History feature to recover an old version)

In the future, I recommend enabling the AutoSave feature to save presentations to OneDrive and saving backup copies of your presentations to prevent data loss.

I will also keep this thread open. Welcome community members and MVPs who have similar experience to share insights and suggestions here.

Thanks for your cooperation and understanding!

Tina | Microsoft Community Moderator

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