.asd vs .wbk: Two Kinds of Word Safety File
Both come from Microsoft Word and both can save you after a crash, but they are not the same: .asd is a temporary AutoRecover snapshot, while .wbk is a full backup copy Word keeps next to your document.
Short answer: .asd is Word's AutoRecover file — a temporary autosave Word writes to a hidden AppData folder while you work, used to recover an unsaved document after a crash. .wbk is a backup copy Word saves next to your real document when the option 'Always create backup copy' is on. The .asd is disposable; the .wbk is a real previous version you can keep.
Side by side
- .asd (AutoRecover) — lives in
%AppData%\Microsoft\Word\, appears automatically, and shows up in the Document Recovery pane when Word restarts after a crash. Deleted once you save. - .wbk (backup copy) — sits in the same folder as your document, named 'Backup of <name>.wbk', and is only made when the backup option is enabled.
How to open each
For a .asd: reopen Word and pick the file from the Document Recovery pane, or use File → Open and browse to the AutoRecover folder. For a .wbk: in Word choose File → Open, set the file type to All Files, and open the .wbk directly — then Save As a normal .docx.
FAQ
What is the difference between a .asd and a .wbk file?
.asd is Word's temporary AutoRecover autosave used to recover after a crash. .wbk is a backup copy Word saves next to your document when 'Always create backup copy' is enabled. The .asd is disposable; the .wbk is a keepable previous version.
How do I open a .wbk file?
In Word, choose File → Open, set the file type to All Files, and open the .wbk directly. Then Save As a normal .docx to keep working.
Where does Word keep .asd files?
Usually %AppData%\Microsoft\Word\ on Windows. The exact path is under File → Options → Save → AutoRecover file location.