Word Documents Missing After Attempting to Import Them into WPS Office

Ana Stadler 0 Reputation points
2026-10-23T13:36:20.4133333+00:00

Dear Support Team,

I am writing to request urgent assistance in recovering my Word documents, which disappeared from my computer after I attempted to import them into WPS Office.

Following this action, I was no longer able to find any of my documents. I have checked the recent files in Microsoft Word, OneDrive, and WPS Office, but I have been unable to locate them.

These documents are very important to me, and I would like to know whether the import process may have changed their location or whether there is a way to recover them.

I would greatly appreciate your guidance on the steps I should take to recover my files. I would also like to know whether any backups, temporary files, or recoverable versions may be available.

I am happy to provide any additional information needed to investigate this issue.

Thank you for your time and assistance. I look forward to hearing from you.

Kind regards.

Microsoft 365 and Office | OneDrive | Other | Windows
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  1. AI answer

    2026-10-23T13:36:43.96+00:00

    The most likely cause is that the files were not converted or removed by WPS, but their file association changed or the files were moved, hidden, deleted, or left in OneDrive or another account location.

    Try this recovery path in order:

    1. Search the PC for the files
      • Open File Explorer.
      • Select This PC.
      • In Search This PC, search by the exact file name.
      • If needed, search by file type such as *.doc.
      • If a file is found, right-click it and select Open file location.
    2. Show hidden files and search again
      • Open Settings.
      • Go to System > Advanced.
      • Expand File Explorer.
      • Make sure Show hidden and system files is On.
      • Search again from This PC.
    3. Check OneDrive on the web
      • Sign in to OneDrive.
      • Use Search everything at the top of the page.
      • Search not only by filename, but also by descriptions, tags, dates, or places.
      • Check the Recycle bin and restore any matching files.
      • If there are multiple Microsoft accounts, sign out and check the other account as well.
    4. Check whether Word can recover a version
      • Open the file in Word if it still exists.
      • Go to File > Info.
      • Under Manage Workbook or Manage Presentation, look for a version labeled (when I closed without saving) and select Restore.
      • If the file was never saved, go to File > Info > Manage Document > Recover Unsaved Workbooks in Excel, or Recover Unsaved Presentations in PowerPoint, then open the file and use Save As.
    5. Check Word’s Document Recovery pane
      • If Word shows the Document Recovery pane, review all files in Available Files.
      • Use the date and time to identify the newest version.
      • Open each candidate file and save the correct one.
      • Do not choose removal until the needed files are saved.
    6. Check whether WPS only took over Word file associations
      • A common outcome is that WPS becomes the default app for .docx files, while the documents themselves remain intact.
      • Running an Office repair can restore the .docx association back to Microsoft Word.
    7. Restore from backup if needed
      • If the files still cannot be found and a backup exists, restore them from that backup.
      • In Windows 10, this can be done through Control Panel > Backup and restore (Windows 7) > Select another backup to restore files from.

    Important limits:

    • Support agents cannot access OneDrive files directly.
    • If files were never saved, or were permanently deleted outside OneDrive and no backup exists, recovery options are very limited.
    • For future protection, storing files in OneDrive or SharePoint and using AutoSave is the safest option.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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  2. Thomas4-N 23,140 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-10-28T07:36:51.7233333+00:00

    Hello Ana Stadler,

    Sorry to hear that the documents disappeared. Before suggesting a specific recovery method, could you clarify:

    • What exact Import option did you select in WPS Office, and were the original files stored on the computer, in OneDrive, or in WPS Cloud?

    For now, avoid saving or importing more files to the affected drive. Then check:

    1. Search This PC in File Explorer for both *.docx and *.doc, then sort by Date modified.
    2. Check the Windows Recycle Bin.
    3. If OneDrive was used, check OneDrive on the web, including its Recycle Bin.
    4. In WPS Office, check File > Backup and Recovery > Backup Center, as well as the WPS Cloud Recycle Bin.

    Word’s AutoRecover is relevant only if Word crashed or the documents were never saved. Please provide the exact WPS action used so the next recovery step can be narrowed down.

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