Restoring .DOCX Files Lost to a Virus Attack: A Practical Guide

Have files been deleted due to a user’s error or software error? Have you formatted a disk by accident and need to know how to recover the files? Read our .DOCX file recovery guide for Windows, MacOS, Android and IOS in 2024.

Restoring .DOCX Files Lost to a Virus Attack: A Practical Guide
Data Recovery Tool

What is a .DOCX file?

A DOCX file is a document created by Microsoft Word or another word processing program, such as OpenOffice Writer or Apple Pages. It contains formatted text but may also include images, drawn objects, and other document elements. DOCX files are widely used in home, academic, and business environments for drafting letters, resumes, invitations, newsletters, and other documents.

What Are Common Causes of ".DOCX" Files Lost or Failure?

There are several common causes of ".DOCX" files lost or failure:

  1. Accidental deletion: Users may accidentally delete ".DOCX" files while organizing or cleaning up their computer.
  2. File corruption: ".DOCX" files can become corrupted due to various reasons such as improper shutdown, power failure, virus or malware infection, or software conflicts.
  3. Hardware failure: If the storage device where the ".DOCX" files are stored, such as a hard drive or USB drive, fails or becomes damaged, it can lead to the loss or failure of the files.
  4. Software issues: Problems with the word processing software itself, such as crashes, bugs, or compatibility issues, can result in the loss or failure of ".DOCX" files.
  5. Operating system issues: Issues with the operating system, such as system crashes, file system errors, or software updates, can also lead to ".DOCX" file loss or failure.
  6. Human error: Mistakes made by users, such as accidental formatting of the storage device, improper handling of files, or saving changes to the wrong file, can result in the loss or failure of ".DOCX" files.
  7. Virus or malware attacks: Malicious software can infect ".DOCX" files, causing them to become inaccessible, corrupted, or deleted.
  8. File system errors: Errors in the file system structure, such as bad sectors or file system corruption, can lead to the loss or failure of ".DOCX" files.
  9. Network issues: If ".DOCX" files are stored on a network drive or shared folder, network connectivity problems or server issues can result in the loss or failure of the files.

It is important to regularly backup ".DOCX" files to prevent data loss and use reliable antivirus software to protect against malware attacks.

How to recover lost ".DOCX" files?

Sometimes while working with a computer, laptop or other stationary or mobile devices, you may encounter various bugs, freezes, hardware or software failures, even in spite of regular updates and junk cleaning. As a result, an important ".DOCX" file may be deleted.

Go to view
🧺 How to Recover Files and Folders After Sending Them to the Recycle Bin and Deleting? (Windows 11)

🧺 How to Recover Files and Folders After Sending Them to the Recycle Bin and Deleting? (Windows 11)

By no means should you think that the only way to recover a ".DOCX" file is always to create it once more.

Use programs for recovering ".DOCX" files if a file was lost after accidental or deliberate deleting, formatting the memory card or the internal storage, cleaning the storage device, after a virus attack or a system failure.

Programs to recover ".DOCX" files

Looking for a way to get files back? In cases when files were deleted and they cannot be restored by using standard operating system tools, use Hetman Partition Recovery.

Partition Recovery™ 4.9
The tool recovers data from any devices, regardless of the cause of data loss.
Download

Follow the directions below:

  1. Download Hetman Partition Recovery, install and start the program.

  2. The program will automatically scan the computer and display all hard disks and removable drives connected to it, as well as physical and local disks.

    File Recovery Software

  3. Double-click on the disk from which you need to recover ".DOCX" files, and select analysis type.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Analysis Type

  4. When the scanning is over, you will be shown the files for recovery.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Files that Can be Restored

  5. To find a file you need, use the program’s interface to open the folder it was deleted from, or go to the folder "Content-Aware Analysis" and select the required file type.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Deep Scan

  6. Select the files you have been looking for and click "Recovery".

    File Recovery Software - Files List for Recovery

  7. Choose one of the methods for saving the files and recover them.

    Saving recovered files in Hetman Partition Recovery

How to open file with ".DOCX" extension?

Looking for how to open a stereo microsoft Word Open XML Document image file file?

Programs that open ".DOCX" files

Windows
File Viewer Plus File Viewer Plus
Microsoft Word 2019 Microsoft Word 2019
Corel WordPerfect X9 Corel WordPerfect X9
Apache OpenOffice Apache OpenOffice
Hancom Thinkfree Office NEO Word Hancom Thinkfree Office NEO Word
SoftMaker Office SoftMaker Office
Kingsoft Writer Kingsoft Writer
LibreOffice LibreOffice
Mac
Microsoft Word 2019 Microsoft Word 2019
Apple Pages Apple Pages
Planamesa NeoOffice Planamesa NeoOffice
Apache OpenOffice Apache OpenOffice
Hancom Thinkfree Office NEO Word Hancom Thinkfree Office NEO Word
LibreOffice LibreOffice
Apple Preview Apple Preview
Linux
Apache OpenOffice Apache OpenOffice
Hancom Thinkfree Office NEO Word Hancom Thinkfree Office NEO Word
LibreOffice LibreOffice
Web
Google Drive Google Drive
Microsoft OneDrive Microsoft OneDrive
iOS
Microsoft Word Microsoft Word
Apple Pages Apple Pages
Infraware Polaris Office Infraware Polaris Office
MobiSystems OfficeSuite Pro MobiSystems OfficeSuite Pro
Google Drive Google Drive
Microsoft OneDrive Microsoft OneDrive
Android
File Viewer for Android File Viewer for Android
Microsoft Word Microsoft Word
SoftMaker Office: TextMaker Mobile SoftMaker Office: TextMaker Mobile
Kingsoft WPS Office for Android Kingsoft WPS Office for Android
Infraware Polaris Office Infraware Polaris Office
Google Drive Google Drive
MobiSystems OfficeSuite Pro MobiSystems OfficeSuite Pro
Microsoft OneDrive Microsoft OneDrive

Additional Information

  • File type: Microsoft Word Open XML Document

  • File extension: .DOCX

  • Developer: Microsoft

  • Category: Text Files

  • Format: Zip

  • Mime-type: application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedoc

  • HEX: 50 4B 03 04

  • ASCII: PK

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Comments (1)

  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 18.12.2019 11:37 #
    Leave a comment if you have any questions about Recovering lost .DOCX files after deleting, cleaning or formatting!
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Vladimir Artiukh

Author: Vladimir Artiukh, Technical Writer

Vladimir Artiukh is a technical writer for Hetman Software, as well as the voice and face of their English-speaking YouTube channel, Hetman Software: Data Recovery for Windows. He handles tutorials, how-tos, and detailed reviews on how the company’s tools work with all kinds of data storage devices.

Oleg Afonin

Editor: Oleg Afonin, Technical Writer

Oleg Afonin is an expert in mobile forensics, data recovery and computer systems. He often attends large data security conferences, and writes several blogs for such resources as xaker.ru, Elcomsoft and Habr. In addition to his online activities, Oleg’s articles are also published in professional magazines. Also, Oleg Afonin is the co-author of a well-known book, Mobile Forensics - Advanced Investigative Strategies.

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Questions and answers

  • What are common causes of corruption in .DOCX files and how can they be repaired?

    Common causes of corruption in .DOCX files include:

    1. File transfer errors: When a .DOCX file is transferred over a network or through email, errors can occur, leading to corruption.
    2. Power outages or system crashes: If a power outage or system crash occurs while working on a .DOCX file, it can result in corruption.
    3. Virus or malware infections: Viruses or malware can infect .DOCX files, causing corruption.
    4. Incompatible software versions: Opening a .DOCX file in an incompatible software version can lead to corruption.

    To repair corrupted .DOCX files, you can try the following methods:

    1. Open and Repair: Microsoft Word has a built-in "Open and Repair" feature that attempts to fix corrupted files. To use it, open Word, go to File > Open, select the corrupted .DOCX file, and choose "Open and Repair" from the drop-down menu.
    2. Use a backup: If you have a backup of the corrupted .DOCX file, you can restore it to replace the corrupted version.
    3. Online file repair tools: There are various online tools available that can repair corrupted .DOCX files. These tools usually require you to upload the file to their website, and they will attempt to fix it.
    4. Convert to another format: If the .DOCX file is severely corrupted and cannot be repaired, you can try converting it to another format, such as .RTF or .PDF, using online converters or specialized software. Although this won't recover the original formatting, it can allow you to retrieve the content.

    It's important to note that not all corrupted .DOCX files can be repaired, especially if the corruption is severe. Therefore, it's always recommended to have regular backups of important files to avoid data loss.

  • What are some reliable software or online tools available for repairing .DOCX files?

    There are several reliable software and online tools available for repairing .DOCX files. Some of them include:

    1. Microsoft Office Repair: Microsoft Office itself provides a built-in repair feature for its files. Open Microsoft Word, go to "File" > "Open" and select the corrupt .DOCX file. Click on the drop-down arrow next to the "Open" button and choose "Open and Repair".
    2. Stellar File Repair Toolkit: Stellar File Repair Toolkit is a comprehensive software that can repair corrupt .DOCX files along with other Microsoft Office files. It supports batch repair and can recover text, formatting, tables, images, and other elements.
    3. Online File Repair: Websites like Online File Repair (www.onlinefilerepair.com) offer online tools to repair corrupt .DOCX files. You simply upload the file, wait for the repair process to complete, and then download the repaired version.
    4. DataNumen Word Repair: DataNumen Word Repair is a powerful tool specifically designed to repair corrupt Word documents. It can handle .DOCX files and recover all types of data, including text, formatting, tables, images, and more.
    5. SysInfoTools Word Recovery: SysInfoTools Word Recovery is another reliable software that can repair corrupt .DOCX files. It can recover text, images, headers, footers, and other elements while maintaining the original formatting.

    It's important to note that the effectiveness of these tools may vary depending on the level of corruption in the .DOCX file. It's always recommended to create a backup of your files before attempting any repairs.

  • Are there any manual methods or techniques that can be used to repair .DOCX files without relying on specialized software?

    Yes, there are a few manual methods that can be used to repair .DOCX files without specialized software. Here are a few techniques you can try:

    1. Change the file extension: Sometimes, the file extension may be incorrect or corrupted. Try renaming the file by changing the extension from .docx to .zip. Then, extract the contents of the zip file and see if you can access the document.xml file. Open it with a text editor and try to recover the content.
    2. Open and repair in Microsoft Word: Microsoft Word has a built-in repair feature that can attempt to fix corrupted .DOCX files. Open Microsoft Word, click on "File" > "Open", and browse to select the corrupted .DOCX file. Instead of clicking "Open," click on the drop-down arrow next to the "Open" button and choose "Open and Repair". Word will attempt to repair the file and open it.
    3. Use an online repair service: There are online services available that can repair corrupted .DOCX files. These services usually involve uploading the file to their website, and they will attempt to repair it for you. However, be cautious when using online services and make sure to use trusted sources.
    4. Copy and paste content: If the file is partially corrupted, you can try copying and pasting the content from the corrupted file into a new, blank .DOCX file. Open a new Word document, select and copy the content from the corrupted file, and paste it into the new document. This method may not recover formatting or embedded objects, but it can retrieve the text.

    It's important to note that these manual methods may not always work, especially for severely corrupted files. In such cases, specialized software or professional help may be required for better chances of recovery.
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