What is the ASD file format?
An .asd file is an AutoRecover document created by Microsoft Word. The .asd - also known as an AutoSave file - is written automatically whenever Word crashes or closes unexpectedly, preserving your most recent unsaved edits.
Word saves a new snapshot at a configurable interval (10 minutes by default, adjustable under File > Options > Save). Each .asd file is stored in a dedicated AutoRecover folder on the system.
To recover the file, relaunch Word and accept the recovered document it offers, or go to File > Open > Recover Unsaved Documents. Opening an .asd directly is unreliable - internally it is an OLE Compound File snapshot related to the .DOC format, and not designed for standalone access. Once recovered, save the content as a .DOCX file immediately, as Word removes old .asd snapshots after a successful normal save.
Security & safety
RISK: LOWAn .asd is just a copy of your own document, so it carries the same (low) risk as the original Word file - the usual macro caution applies only if the source document had macros. The practical advice: don't delete .asd files until you've confirmed the recovered document is saved and intact, since the .asd may be your only copy of unsaved work. They are safe to clean up afterwards. Be cautious of websites offering "ASD recovery/converter" downloads - Word's built-in recovery is free and sufficient; third-party "repair" tools are often PUP/adware.
Format details
in a nutshell- Ableton Live sample analysis file - Ableton Live writes a small .asd next to each imported audio file storing tempo/warp/pitch analysis so the clip loads faster; deleting it only forces re-analysis.
- FastTrack Schedule project file - AEC Software's FastTrack Schedule used .asd for its Gantt-chart project schedules.
- Astound / Advanced Streaming Format presentation data - A few legacy presentation/streaming tools also used .asd for unrelated data.
Programs that open ASD files
Windows3 apps
Microsoft Word (Recover Unsaved Documents)
Paid Reopen Word; if the Document Recovery pane appears, pick the file. Otherwise File > Info > Manage Document > Recover Unsaved Documents, or File > Open > browse to the .asd.
Microsoft Word (Open and Repair)
Paid File > Open, set file type to 'All Files', select the .asd, click the arrow next to Open and choose 'Open and Repair'.
Microsoft 365 / Office (subscription)
Paid Same as Word above - AutoRecover and the recovery pane are part of the Word app in any Microsoft 365 plan. 
macOS1 app
Microsoft Word for Mac
Paid Reopen Word; recovered files appear automatically. AutoRecover files live in ~/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.Word/Data/Library/Preferences/AutoRecovery. Technical details
deep spec| Developer | Microsoft Corporation |
| Format type | Binary OLE Compound File (AutoRecover snapshot) |
| MIME type | application/octet-stream |
| OLE header | D0 CF 11 E0 A1 B1 1A E1 at offset 0 (Compound Document signature) |
| File purpose | Temporary AutoRecover checkpoint; not a final saved document |
| Default AutoRecover interval | Every 10 minutes (configurable via File > Options > Save) |
| Default storage path (Windows) | %AppData%\Microsoft\Word\ (exact subfolder varies by Word version) |
| Recovery method | File > Open > Recover Unsaved Documents, or automatic offer on Word relaunch |
| File lifecycle | Automatically deleted by Word after the source document is saved successfully |
| Direct access | Cannot be reliably opened by double-clicking; must be loaded via Word's recovery dialog |
| Platform | Windows (primary); macOS via Microsoft Word for Mac |
| Related file types | .doc, .docx, .wbk, .tmp, .asv |
| Word version scope | Word 97 through Microsoft 365 (current) |
| Format status | Internal, undocumented; no public specification |
| Released | Word 97 era; AutoRecover snapshot format used through current Microsoft 365 Word |
| Specification | support.microsoft.com |
ASD conversions
Community Q&A
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