Dealing with .WBK File Corruption and How to Get Them Back

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 .WBK file recovery guide for Windows, MacOS, Android and IOS in 2024.

Dealing with .WBK File Corruption and How to Get Them Back

What is a .WBK file?

Backup file created by Microsoft Word, a popular word processor; contains a backup copy of a Word document (.DOC); used to recover a document file in the event that it is deleted or corrupted.

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

There are several common causes of ".WBK" (Microsoft Word Backup) files being lost or experiencing failure. Some of these causes include:

  1. Accidental deletion: Users may accidentally delete ".WBK" files while organizing or cleaning up their computer's storage.
  2. File system corruption: Issues with the computer's file system, such as corruption or errors, can lead to the loss or failure of ".WBK" files.
  3. Software or hardware issues: Problems with the software or hardware components of the computer, such as crashes, power outages, or system failures, can result in the loss or corruption of ".WBK" files.
  4. Virus or malware attacks: Malicious software can infect and damage ".WBK" files, making them inaccessible or causing them to fail.
  5. Improper shutdown: If the computer is improperly shut down while a ".WBK" file is open or being saved, it can lead to data loss or corruption.
  6. Software conflicts or errors: Conflicts between different software applications or errors within the software itself can cause ".WBK" files to become lost or fail.
  7. Storage media issues: Problems with the storage media, such as hard drive failures or disk errors, can result in the loss or corruption of ".WBK" files.

To prevent the loss or failure of ".WBK" files, it is recommended to regularly backup important files, use reliable antivirus software, maintain a stable and up-to-date operating system, and avoid abrupt shutdowns or interruptions while working with ".WBK" files.

How to recover lost ".WBK" 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 ".WBK" file may be deleted.

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🧺 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 ".WBK" file is always to create it once more.

Use programs for recovering ".WBK" 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 ".WBK" 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 ".WBK" 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 ".WBK" extension?

Looking for how to open a stereo word Document Backup image file file?

Programs that open ".WBK" files

Windows
Microsoft Word 2019 Microsoft Word 2019
Mac
Microsoft Word 2019 Microsoft Word 2019

Additional Information

  • File type: Word Document Backup

  • File extension: .WBK

  • Developer: Microsoft

  • Category: Backup Files

  • Format: Binary

  • File types that use the extension .WBK:

    • Word Document Backup

    • WordPerfect Workbook

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  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 18.12.2019 15:32 #
    Leave a comment if you have any questions about Recovering lost .WBK 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 is a .WBK format and what software programs are compatible with it?

    A .WBK format is a file extension used for backup files created by Microsoft Word. These files are automatically generated by Word when the user is working on a document and the AutoRecover feature is enabled. The purpose of a .WBK file is to provide a backup in case the original document is lost or corrupted due to unexpected events like power outages or system crashes.

    To open and access .WBK files, you need to use Microsoft Word itself. When you open Word after a crash or unexpected closure, it automatically searches for any available .WBK files and prompts you to recover the unsaved changes. You can then choose to recover the document from the .WBK file and continue working on it.

    It's important to note that .WBK files are not intended to be directly opened or edited by users outside of Microsoft Word. They serve as temporary backup files for Word documents and are only compatible with the Word software.

  • How can I convert a .WBK file to a different format, such as .DOC or .PDF?

    To convert a .WBK file to a different format like .DOC or .PDF, you can follow these steps:

    1. Open Microsoft Word.
    2. Click on "File" in the top-left corner of the Word window.
    3. Select "Open" from the dropdown menu.
    4. In the "Open" dialog box, change the file type to "All Files (*.*)" from the dropdown menu.
    5. Navigate to the location where the .WBK file is saved, select it, and click on "Open".
    6. Word will automatically detect the .WBK file and prompt you to recover the document. Click on "Yes" or "OK".
    7. Once the document is recovered, click on "File" again.
    8. Select "Save As" from the dropdown menu.
    9. In the "Save As" dialog box, choose the desired format like .DOC or .PDF from the dropdown menu.
    10. Provide a new name for the converted file if needed, select the destination folder, and click on "Save".
    11. The .WBK file will now be saved in the selected format, ready for use.

    If you don't have Microsoft Word or prefer an alternative method, you can use online file conversion websites or software specifically designed for file conversion. Simply search for "WBK to DOC/PDF converter" online, and you will find various options to choose from.

  • Are there any specific advantages or limitations of using .WBK formats compared to other document formats?

    The .WBK file format is primarily associated with Microsoft Word and is used for storing backup copies of Word documents. Here are some advantages and limitations of using .WBK formats compared to other document formats:

    Advantages:

    1. Backup functionality: The .WBK format provides an automatic backup feature in Microsoft Word, allowing users to recover their documents in case of unexpected crashes or system failures.
    2. Version control: Since .WBK files are created as backup copies, they can help in maintaining different versions of a document, enabling users to revert to previous versions if needed.
    3. Compatibility: .WBK files are compatible with Microsoft Word, which is widely used across different platforms and operating systems, ensuring easy access and sharing of backup files.

    Limitations:

    1. Limited functionality: .WBK files are only meant for backup purposes and do not retain the full functionality of the original Word document. They lack features like formatting, macros, and embedded objects, making them less useful for editing or working on the document.
    2. Single-file format: Each .WBK file corresponds to a single Word document. If you have multiple documents that need backup, multiple .WBK files will be created, which can lead to clutter and management issues.
    3. Dependency on Word: .WBK files can only be opened and used with Microsoft Word. If you don't have access to Word or prefer using alternative word processing software, the .WBK format may not be suitable.

    Overall, the .WBK format is advantageous for its backup functionality and compatibility with Microsoft Word. However, its limitations in terms of limited functionality and dependency on Word should be considered when choosing a document format.

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