Lost Excel file, saved attachment to unknown location

Mark M · 23 Mar 2013 at 17:05

My Dad has just rang in a panic having worked all day on an Excel file he received in an attachement in Windows Live Mail (the mail software that comes free with Win7)

Basically what has happened is that he has opened the attachment, done the work and then closed it and press yes when prompted to save it. Ive seen this done before and managed to find the file again in the temp files but this one has me stumped. Any ideas where Windows Live attachments are opened temporarily?

Ive tried searching and looking in recent files but no joy with either.

Any help much appreciated, thanks.

Fanatic · 23 Mar 2013 at 17:20

You could try looking in:

%userprofile%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5

It's adding a space in "temporary"... dunno why, remove the space after you copy/paste into Windows Explorer address bar.

You will need to show hidden files/folders and also protected system files.

Mark M · 23 Mar 2013 at 17:26

I found a site on the net that suggested that folder but I think that relates to the online Windows Live (what used to be hotmail?) whereas this is from the desktop Windows Live?

I checked the Content.IE5 folder and it is empty saldly.

I have tried to replicate the problem by sending him a "test" excel file, opening it and then closing it and when prompted to save clicking yes but I cant find the test file with a very unique filename either.

Fanatic · 23 Mar 2013 at 17:28

Did you show hidden/files and protected system files?

Mark M · 23 Mar 2013 at 17:37

Ah, not protected system files so i can see the sub folders now and have found my test file however his isnt there which I think must mean he switched off the computer and it has emptied that folder?

Nightglow · 23 Mar 2013 at 18:27

They should be there somewhere, it me ages to find it on my pc, Recuva worth a try, has saved me on many occasions,it can recover from Windows Live Mail.

http://www.piriform.com/recuva

Hellsmk2 · 24 Mar 2013 at 23:26

Three ways spring to mind without the unnecessary need to use third party apps:

1. If he clicked yes to save it, just open the attachment again and click 'save as' to see where it defaults to.

2. Look at the list of recent documents in excel.

3. Search for *.xls with windows search, arrange by date, find file.