Did you recently create/edit and close a Microsoft Office Word or Excel document but cannot remember where you saved it? Want to find recently created, opened, or closed Word/Excel files on your Windows 10/11 PC? If so, you are at the right place.
Finding recently accessed Word or Excel documents on a Windows 10/11 computer is easy. In fact, there are multiple methods to find recently created/opened/closed Word/Excel files. And the best part is that you do not need third-party apps or PowerShell skills to view recent Word/Excel files.
Following are the four ways to view recently opened/closed Word/Excel files in Windows 10/11.
Method 1 of 4
Find recent Word/Excel files from the taskbar in Windows 10/11
Step 1: Launch the Word/Excel program if not running already. If you wish to find a recently opened or closed Word document, launch the Word program. Likewise, if you would like to view a recently accessed Excel file, you need to launch the Excel program.
Step 2: Perform a right-click on the Word/Excel icon on the taskbar to see recently closed/opened files.
For example, to find a recent Word document, you need to right-click on the Word app icon. Likewise, right-click on the Excel icon to find recently closed/opened Excel files.
The Recent section shows all recently created/opened/closed Word/Excel files, with the most recent file at the top of the list.
Method 2 of 4
Find recent Word/Excel files using the Word/Excel program in Windows 10/11
Step 1: Launch the Word or Excel program, depending on your requirements.
Step 2: Click the File menu and then click Open to view all recently created, opened, or closed Word/Excel files.
Method 3 of 4
Use File Explorer to find recent Word/Excel files in Windows 10/11
Step 1: Open the File Explorer using search or Windows logo + E hotkey.
Step 2: Check if the File Explorer is opened to Home/Quick Access. If not, click the Home/Quick Access in the left pane to navigate to the same.
Step 3: Here, the Recent files section shows all recent files (up to 20 files). You might be able to find the recently closed/opened Word/Excel document in this list. If found, double-click on the same to open it.
Method 4 of 4
View recently closed/created Word/Excel files in the Start menu in Windows 10/11
Step 1: Type Word/Excel in the Start or taskbar search to see the recent Word/Excel files on the right side of the menu. You can click on an entry in the list to open the same.
Our how to view recently saved files in Windows 10/11 guide might also interest you.
Leave a Reply