Working with Flash Drives
Flash drives are convenient for transporting files, but they can cause file corruption if used improperly. To protect your work, follow this workflow:
Do:
Copy files from your flash drive to your local computer (Desktop or Documents folder) before opening them
Do all your work on the local copy
Save frequently while working
Copy the final version back to the flash drive only when finished
Always use "Safely Remove Hardware" before unplugging your flash drive
Don't:
Edit files directly on the flash drive
Remove the flash drive while Word is open or saving
Rely on a flash drive as your only copy of important work
Flash drives have a limited lifespan and can fail without warning. Always keep a backup of your work on your local computer or another location.
How to Repair a Corrupted Word Document
If you receive an error when opening a Word file, or if the file won't open at all, try these steps:
Option 1: Open and Repair
Open Microsoft Word (don't double-click the file — open Word first)
Go to File → Open → Browse
Navigate to your file and select it (single click, don't double-click)
Click the small arrow next to the "Open" button at the bottom
Select "Open and Repair" from the dropdown menu
If Word is able to repair the file, you'll see a dialog showing what was fixed
Immediately go to File → Save As and save with a new filename to make the repairs permanent
Option 2: Recover Text from Any File
If Open and Repair doesn't work, this option can extract the raw text (you'll lose formatting):
Open Microsoft Word
Go to File → Open → Browse
At the bottom of the Open dialog, find the file type dropdown (usually says "All Word Documents")
Change it to "Recover Text from Any File (.)"
Select your file and click Open
Save the recovered text as a new document
Option 3: Check for Auto-Recovery Files
Word automatically saves backup copies while you work. To find them:
Go to File → Info → Manage Document
Click "Recover Unsaved Documents"
Also check this folder on your computer:
C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Word
Look for files with .asd extensions or files starting with ~ (tilde).
When to Contact Support
If none of the above steps work, or if you're seeing repeated corruption issues, reach out to support. Please include:
The file(s) you're having trouble with
A description of the error message (a screenshot is helpful)
Where the file was stored (local drive, flash drive, cloud, etc.)
What you were doing when the issue occurred
We're happy to help recover files and troubleshoot the root cause.