Updated on February 28, 2022

“On my system, Word application stopped responding all of a sudden. So, I immediately saved the document, which I was working and then closed the Word application. But the file is saved with .asd extension, instead of .doc. Also, if I try to open the file I get an error that states, “Microsoft Word cannot open this file because it is an unsupported file type.” What is this ASD file? How can I recover the contents of my Word document? Someone kindly helps me.”

What is ASD or .asd file?

Before you know about the ASD file, know the AutoRecover feature provided in the Microsoft Word program.

AutoRecover is an inbuilt option provided in the Microsoft Office suite, which pulls the plug on data loss due to unexpected interruptions like power surge, generation of errors, application halt/crash, abrupt system shut down etc that may prevent you from saving the Word file in a right way. Still, it is not an alternative to the Save option. So, the AutoRecover aspect aids in safeguarding a Word file during a sudden disaster, only if the file is saved throughout the process as well at the end.

If Word is terminated/interrupted in the middle of the process, then the current document will be saved in the AutoRecover folder (if it was saved frequently, also at the end); only when the AutoRecover option is enabled. You can find the AutoRecover folder under this path- C:\Users\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Word\ (Windows 7 and above) and C:\Users\Application Data\Microsoft\Word\ (Windows 7 and below).

And Auto-Recovered file will be named as

• AutoRecovery save of X.asd (X is name of opened file) in Win 7 and below
• ~Wra####.asd (#### is random number given by Windows) in Win 7 and above

So, ASD is your rescued Word file. This file contains a replica of the currently opened Word document.

How to open an ASD file? Why does it show the error?

If your Windows file association is all set then it links .asd file with respective program present in your computer to open the file, as soon as you double-click on it. If an adequate program is missing then you need to install it.

Sometimes Windows prompts you to pick a suitable program to open ASD file from the list of available applications on your system if the file is not associated so far.

If you cannot open the ASD file directly or if you come across errors like being unable to open ASD file unsupported file type then try the below methods.

Note: Never try to rename your original .asd files. If you want to do, try with its copied file.

1. Open ASD File Manually

• Go to Start, type .asd in the search tab and hit Enter key
• From the displayed list, select your ASD file and open it
• Select MS Word to launch the file (If asked)
• Choose All Files in the file types list
• When the file opens, copy its entire content and paste it into a new Word file
• Save the new Word file with .doc/.docx extension

2. Open ASD file in Word 2010

Microsoft Word 2010 is fitted with enhanced features to help users. So, employ it to access your ASD file.

• Avail Microsoft Word 2010 tool
• Launch it and click on the Office button
• Use the Open option and select your ASD file
• Opt All Files in file types tab
• Copy the ASD file data
• Create a new file and paste it
• Save the created file in the Word format

Additional Info:

You may come across numerous circumstances that lead to corruption of your vital Word documents. However, don’t be worried. You can easily fix the broken Word file with the assistance of an apt fix i.e. Yodot DOC Repair. This Word file repair utility can fix even severely corrupted as well damaged DOC/DOCX files with 100% precision. Also, when you are facing CRC error, unrecognized format error, Macro error, encoding error while opening a Word file then the problems can be easily sorted out using Yodot.

3 steps to fix your Word file using Yodot:

• Install Yodot DOC Repair and click on the Browse button
• Select Word fie that you want to fix and hit the Repair key
• Preview the fixed file and Save it