Recover unsaved corel draw file​

CorelDRAW is a powerful graphic design software widely used by professionals and enthusiasts for creating a variety of visual content, from logos and brochures to illustrations and digital art. However, there are times when unexpected events such as system crashes, power outages, or accidental closure of the application can lead to the loss of an unsaved CorelDRAW file. Losing hours or even days of work can be extremely frustrating, but the good news is that there are several methods and techniques that can be employed to recover unsaved CorelDRAW files.

When you manually save a CorelDRAW file, the software creates a permanent copy of the file in the location you specify, such as a folder on your computer or an external storage device. The file is saved in the native CorelDRAW format (.cdr) or in other supported formats like PDF, AI, or EPS, depending on your export settings.

Method 1: Recovering from the Auto-Save Feature

The auto-save feature in CorelDRAW is one of the most common and effective ways to recover an unsaved file. Here’s how you can use it:

Restart CorelDRAW: If your system crashed or the application closed unexpectedly, reopen CorelDRAW. In many cases, CorelDRAW will detect that there was an abnormal termination and will prompt you to recover the auto-saved file. Click on the option to recover the file.

Check the Auto-Save Folder: If CorelDRAW doesn’t prompt you to recover the file automatically, you can manually check the auto-save folder. The location of the auto-save folder may vary depending on your operating system and CorelDRAW version. On Windows, it is usually located in the following path: C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Roaming\Corel\CorelDRAW Graphics Suite [Version]\Draw\AutoSave. On Mac, the path is typically ~/Library/Application Support/Corel/CorelDRAW Graphics Suite [Version]/Draw/AutoSave. Navigate to the auto-save folder and look for the file with a name that corresponds to the project you were working on. The file may have a different extension than the regular CorelDRAW file (e.g.,.asd). Open the file in CorelDRAW to access your unsaved work.

Customize Auto-Save Settings: To prevent future data loss, it’s a good idea to customize the auto-save settings in CorelDRAW. Go to the “Tools” menu and select “Options”. In the Options dialog box, expand the “Save” category and adjust the auto-save interval to a shorter time (e.g., 5 minutes). You can also choose to increase the number of auto-saved versions that CorelDRAW keeps.

Method 2: Using the Backup Copy

CorelDRAW creates a backup copy of the last saved version of the file. This backup can be used to recover your work in case the main file is lost or corrupted. Here’s how you can access the backup copy:

Locate the Backup File: The backup file is usually saved in the same location as the original file, but with a different extension. For example, if your original file is named “MyDesign.cdr”, the backup file may be named “MyDesign.cdr.bak”. Navigate to the folder where you saved the original file and look for the backup file.

Rename the Backup File: To open the backup file in CorelDRAW, you need to rename it to have the.cdr extension. Right-click on the backup file and select “Rename”. Change the extension from.bak to.cdr.

Open the File in CorelDRAW: Double-click on the renamed file to open it in CorelDRAW. You should be able to access the last saved version of your work.

Method 3: Recovering from Temporary Files

Windows and Mac operating systems create temporary files while applications are running. These temporary files may contain a copy of your unsaved CorelDRAW work. Here’s how you can recover from temporary files:

For Windows:

Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.

Type “%temp%” and press Enter. This will open the temporary files folder.

Look for files with a name that contains “CorelDRAW” or a similar keyword. The files may have extensions like.tmp or.asd.

Copy the files to a different location (e.g., your desktop) and try renaming them to have the.cdr extension.

Open the renamed files in CorelDRAW to see if they contain your unsaved work.

For Mac:

Open the Finder and click on “Go” in the menu bar.

Hold down the Option key and select “Library” from the dropdown menu.

Navigate to the “Caches” folder and look for a folder related to CorelDRAW.

Inside the CorelDRAW cache folder, look for temporary files with names that match your project.

Copy the files to a different location and try renaming them to have the.cdr extension.

Open the renamed files in CorelDRAW to check if they contain your unsaved work.

Method 4: Using Data Recovery Software

If the above methods don’t work, you can try using data recovery software to recover your unsaved CorelDRAW file. There are several data recovery tools available in the market, both free and paid, that can scan your hard drive for deleted or lost files. Here are some popular data recovery software options:

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard: This is a powerful data recovery tool that can recover files from various storage devices, including hard drives, SSDs, USB drives, and memory cards. It has a user-friendly interface and supports the recovery of a wide range of file types, including CorelDRAW files.

Recuva: Recuva is a free data recovery software that can recover deleted or lost files from your computer’s hard drive. It has a simple and intuitive interface and offers advanced scanning options to increase the chances of successful recovery.

Disk Drill: Disk Drill is a data recovery software for Mac that can recover lost or deleted files from internal and external storage devices. It offers a range of features, including file preview, partition recovery, and data protection.

When using data recovery software, it’s important to stop using the hard drive immediately to prevent new data from overwriting the lost files. Install the data recovery software on a different drive or use a bootable data recovery disk to scan the affected drive.

Tips to Prevent Data Loss in CorelDRAW

While there are methods to recover unsaved CorelDRAW files, it’s always better to take preventive measures to avoid data loss in the first place. Here are some tips to help you prevent data loss:

Save Regularly: Make it a habit to save your work frequently while working in CorelDRAW. Use the Ctrl + S (Windows) or Command + S (Mac) shortcut keys to save your file quickly.

Use Multiple Save Locations: In addition to saving your file on your computer’s hard drive, consider saving it to an external storage device or a cloud storage service. This provides an extra layer of protection in case your computer’s hard drive fails.

Enable Auto-Save and Backup Features: Ensure that the auto-save and backup features in CorelDRAW are enabled and configured to your preferences. Adjust the auto-save interval and the number of backup versions to suit your needs.

Keep Your System Updated: Install the latest updates for CorelDRAW and your operating system to ensure that any known bugs or issues related to file saving and recovery are fixed.

Use a UPS: A uninterruptible power supply (UPS) can provide backup power in case of a power outage, giving you enough time to save your work and shut down your computer properly.