Word 2013 AutoRecover can save recovery information more frequently, but it is not the same as modern cloud AutoSave. The feature is designed to help after a crash, not replace normal saving or backups.
Steps
- Open Word 2013 and choose File > Options > Save.
- Find Save AutoRecover information every X minutes.
- Enter a reasonable interval such as 5 or 10 minutes rather than an extremely short value.
- Keep the option to preserve the last AutoRecovered version when closing without saving if appropriate.
- Choose OK and continue saving important documents normally with Ctrl+S.
How it works
AutoRecover files may not contain the very latest edits and can be removed during normal cleanup. AutoSave for OneDrive/SharePoint in newer Microsoft 365 Word is a different feature with version history.
Important considerations
Word 2013 has long been out of support. Move important workflows to a supported Office/Microsoft 365 version rather than relying on legacy recovery behavior.
Practical guidance
A shorter AutoRecover interval can create more frequent recovery writes, which may matter with huge documents or slow/network storage, though ordinary documents usually handle sensible intervals easily. Keep the AutoRecover file location on a reliable accessible disk and do not treat that folder as an archival backup.
Additional details
AutoRecover activates after abnormal closure; if Word exits normally, the recovery copies may be cleaned up. That is why Ctrl+S and backups still matter. For documents on OneDrive/SharePoint in current Microsoft 365, AutoSave and version history offer a much stronger workflow than extending Word 2013’s life.
Mac users can read how AutoSave and AutoRecover work in Word for Mac.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.