Search for AutoRecover Files Yourself.
In Word, go to Tools, then Options.
Under the File Locations tab, double-click AutoRecover files and make a note of that path location.
Click Cancel and Close.
Open up that folder in My Computer or Windows Explorer and search for any .asd files. (Or another way to do this would be to run a search similar to step one but with *.asd instead of *.doc)
If you have Word set to automatically back-up your documents, there's still a chance here. Check the original folder for any .wbk file.
In Word, click File, then Open.
Navigate to the folder you think the file used to be located in and make sure All Files *.* is selected.
Are there any .wbk file there? Select it and see if it's what you're looking for.
Still No Dice? Send Out A *.wbk Search Party.
This step is the same as the first search party step, but now search for *.wbk files. You might find a few. Open them up, one by one.
Or, Search Your Temporary Files.
Again, this is like step one. But search for *.TMP files this time. You'll come up with a lot, so change the When was it modified? to the last week or so.
Or Search Even More of your Temporary Files
Some temporary files like to be unique. Search for those with ~*.* this time.
Open Up C:\Documents and Settings\*USERNAME*\Local Settings\Temp
This is a hidden folder, so you'll probably have to use Windows Explorer. Hit Start, then All Programs.
Go to Accessories, then Windows Explorer. Navigate to that folder, where *USERNAME* is whatever your computer calls you. Do you see your document in that folder?
Taken from: http://www.hackcollege.com/blog/2007/10/17/10-ways-to-find-a-lost-word-document-doc.html
