Before a document can be opened, its location and file type must be known or identified. For example, if you want to open a document you created using Microsoft Word, it’s likely located in the My Documents folder and is a Word document (.doc or .docx file extension). On this page, we give you tips and help with finding, identifying, and opening a document file on your computer.

Finding the document file

If you have lost a file or are unsure where it was saved, you have the following options.

  • Finding the document file.
  • Identifying the file.
  • Opening the file.

Recent documents

If the document was recently opened, you can use the recent documents feature. Open the program you previously viewed the document in and click File and then Recent.

My Documents

If you use Microsoft Windows, by default it saves all documents into the My Documents or Documents folder unless you have changed where you want to save the file. If you’re trying to find a lost file that was created on the computer, start by looking in this section of the computer.

  • How to open the Windows My Documents or Documents folder.

Downloads

If the document you are trying to find was downloaded from the Internet, the file is most likely in the default Downloads folder. We recommend if this is a file you want to keep after it’s downloaded to move the file into My Documents or a location you will remember.

  • Where are the files I downloaded using my web browser?
  • How to move files and folders on the computer.

E-mail temp directory

If you have opened the file from an e-mail attachment, it’s likely that the file was saved into a temporary location. Unless the file is saved to the computer most programs treat any attachment as something temporary. If it’s been a few days since opening the file, it’s likely been removed and should be downloaded again from the original e-mail. After opening the attached file again, save it to a location for future access.

Finally, if none of the above suggestions helped or you still are having trouble finding the file you can use the Windows or operating system find feature to find files on your computer.

  • How to find a file on a computer.

Identifying the file

Once the file is located, it needs to be identified to determine what program can view the file. When the file is a known file type by a program running on the computer, the file is associated with that program. For example, a file with the .DOC or .DOCX file extension is associated with Microsoft Word, but can also be opened with other word processors.

The easiest method of identifying the file type in Windows and most computers is with the file extension. Below is a listing of the most common file extensions used with documents and their associated programs.

  • How to view a computer file extension.
  • What are the most common file types and file extensions?
  • Full listing of computer file extensions.

Opening the file

Once the program is found and identified, double-clicking the file opens the document in its document viewer. If the file doesn’t open or displays an Open with box, the file is not associated with a program. A program or viewer must be installed before that file can be opened.

You can also open the file through any supported program by clicking File and then Open, or pressing the Ctrl+O keyboard shortcut in the program. For example, if you wanted to open a .DOC file, open Microsoft Word and from the open menu locate and open the file.

  • How to create a document.
  • How to create, delete, and move files and folders in Google Drive.
  • See our document and software definitions for further information and related links.
  • Software help and support.