WD: Setting the AutoSave-Path in Word

ID: Q77535

The information in this article applies to:

• Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 2.0, 2.0a, 2.0a-CD, 2.0b, 2.0c, 6.0, 6.0a, 6.0c
• Microsoft Word for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a
• Microsoft Word 97 for Windows

SUMMARY

When you use the Microsoft Word for Windows Automatic Save feature, Word creates a file in a special format which you can use to recover a document after an unrecoverable application error (UAE), a general protection (GP) fault, invalid page error, or an accidental shutdown of the computer.

The table below lists the file name or extension given to the recovered document, the default path Word uses to save the recovered file, and where the AutoSave-path setting is stored when you specify a location other than the default.

          File name        Default             AutoSave-Path
Version   or Extension     Location            Setting Stored in

2.x       .ASD             Winword program     [Microsoft Word 2.0] section
                           directory           of the Win.ini file.

6.x       .ASD             Temp directory      [Microsoft Word] section of
                           specified in the    the Winword6.ini file.
                           Autoexec.bat file

7.x       .ASD             Temp directory      HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\
                           specified in the    Microsoft\Word\7.0\Options
                           Autoexec.bat file   in the Windows 95 registry

97        AutoRecovery     Windows\Temp        HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\
          Save of          subfolder           Microsoft\Office\8.0\
          <Filename>.asd                       Word\Options
                                               in the Windows 95 Registry

MORE INFORMATION

To turn on the Automatic Save feature

Follow the steps appropriate for your version of Word.

Word 97:

1. On the Tools menu, click Options.

2. Select the Save tab.

3. Select the Save AutoRecover Info Every check box and type a value for

   minutes.

Word 6.x 7.x:

1. On the Tools menu, click Options.

2. Select the Save tab.

3. Select the Automatic Save Every check box and type a value for minutes.

4. Click OK.

Word 2.0:

1. On the Tools menu, click Options.

2. In the Category box, click Save.

3. Select the Automatic Save Every check box and type a value for minutes.

4. Click OK.

To set the directory location for the AutoSave-Path setting

Use the steps appropriate for your version of Word.

Word 97:

1. On the Tools menu, click Options.

2. Select the File Locations tab.

3. Select AutoRecover Files in the File Types list box and click Modify.

4. Select the folder you want for your AutoRecovered files and click OK.

5. Click Close.

Word 6.0, 7.0:

1. On the Tools menu, click Options.

2. Select the File Locations tab.

3. Select AutoSave Files in the File Types list box and click Modify.

4. Select the folder you want for your .asd files and click OK.

5. Click Close.

Word 2.0:

1. On the Tools menu, click Options.

2. In the Category box, click Win.ini.

3. Select the AutoSave-path= setting in the Startup Options box.

4. Press TAB to move to the Setting box.

5. Delete the text in the Setting box, and then type the path you want.

6. Click Set.

7. Click Close.

For more information, query on the following words in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   autosave-path

Version           : 2.x 6.0 6.0a 6.0c 7.0 7.0a
Platform          : WINDOWS

Last Reviewed: February 6, 1998