How to Recover Unsaved CorelDRAW Files [Step-by-Step Guide]

CorelDRAW is a popular vector graphics editor that generates CDR files. Common elements found in CDR files include images, text, lines, and colors. The versatility of the CDR format allows for the creation of various types of documents.

However, a CorelDRAW file might get corrupted, especially if the file is not saved and the program crashes. Here, we will discuss a few methods that help you understand how to recover unsaved CorelDraw files and restore a corrupted CDR file using some basic approaches.

Recover Unsaved CorelDraw Files with Data Recovery Tools When you accidentally close CorelDraw or encounter a system crash without saving your work, you can try to recover your files using a Data Recovery tool. Here are some steps to guide you through the process: 1. First, download and install a reliable data recovery software such as tools Data Recovery Wizard, Recuva, or Stellar Data Recovery. Make sure to choose the version compatible with your operating system. 2. After installation, launch the data recovery software. Typically, it will present a user-friendly interface to guide you through the process. 3. In the software, select the location where you previously opened your CorelDraw file, which is usually "My Documents" or a designated workspace directory. If unsure, opt for a full disk scan. 4. Click on "Scan" or a similar button to initiate the search for lost files. This process may take some time, depending on the size of the selected drive. 5. Upon completion of the scan, the software will display a list of all found files. Look for CorelDraw-related file extensions like .cdr or .cdt in the list. You can use filters or search functions to narrow down your search. 6. Once you locate the unsaved CorelDraw file, preview it to verify its content. Some data recovery tools might provide this feature. 7. Finally, select the file you want to recover and click the "Restore" button to save it to a secure location. Avoid saving the file back to its original spot to prevent overwriting other important data. Keep in mind that the success of recovery depends on whether the file has been overwritten or damaged. While these tools can be helpful, it's always best to develop a habit of regularly saving your work to avoid data loss.

If you have lost some unsaved CorelDraw files due to accidental deletion, hard drive formatting, virus attack or other reasons, you should turn to a professional file recovery tool for help - Data Recovery Wizard.

This powerful tool can be used to recover unsaved files of various formats in Windows 11/10/8/7, including Word, Excel, PPT, PSD, and more. Follow these steps to retrieve your unsaved CorelDraw file using the recovery software:

Step 1: Launch the tools Data Recovery Wizard on your computer. Select the disk where you lost unsaved CorelDRAW files and click "Scan".

Step 2: On the left, you will see the “Path” and “Type” tabs. Click on “Type” and then select “Unsaved files”. You can double-click on a folder to open it or click on “Open”. This unsaved file recovery software will help you easily recover unsaved CorelDRAW file.

Double-click the folder to open it.

Step 3. Select the target file and hit the “Preview” button. After that, click on “Recover” to restore your unsaved CDR files. Make sure you don't save the recovered files back to the original location to avoid overwriting the existing files.

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Restore CDR Files from Automatic Backup

CorelDRAW has an auto-recovery tool that creates backup copies of your files at regular intervals. This solution will only work if you have enabled the auto-save settings in CorelDRAW. Backup files are always saved in the same directory as the original CorelDRAW file.

Here are the steps:

Step 1. Navigate to the folder containing the previous version of the CorelDRAW file.

Step 2: Look for files that begin with “Backup_of_filename>”.

Step 3: Click on the file to open it in CorelDRAW.

Recover Unsaved CDR File from Temp Folder

When active, the cache folder temporarily saves running files to keep the system running smoothly. Therefore, you might find unsaved CorelDRAW files here. If the above methods don't work, you can recover temp files from the folder. A corrupted CDR file might be saved there, and if so, follow these steps:

Step 1: Type "%temp%" in the "Run" dialog box.

Step 2. Search for the .CDR file extension within the folder.

Step 3. Place this file on your desktop and change the file extension from .CDR.temp to .CDR.

Step 4: Import it into DRAW. You're done! Check to make sure that the file has imported correctly.

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Recovering an Unsaved CorelDRAW File from a Previous Version

If the above methods do not help to recover unsaved CDR files, try using the earlier versions of the built-in CDR recovery options. If these methods were enabled before your CorelDRAW file got lost, you can attempt to restore your creation by:

Step 1: Right-click on the folder that contains the CDR file and select 'Restore previous versions'.

Step 2. On the Previous Versions tab, select a backup version, and click Open to verify that this is the file you need.

Step 3. Locate the file you want and click “Recover” to get it back.

[Solved] No Previous Versions Available on Windows 10/8/7

This post will show you how to fix the "No previous versions available" issue and recover lost files.

In short

Thanks to these reliable methods, you now know how to recover unsaved or corrupted CorelDRAW files. Unsaved CorelDRAW files can be easily restored from auto-save and backup. Additionally, damaged CorelDRAW files can be recovered via the Temp folder. Alternatively, you can use effective CorelDRAW recovery software, such as Data Recovery Wizard, to restore unsaved or corrupted files.

Frequently Asked Questions on Recovering Unsaved CorelDraw Files

Here are four additional questions about recovering unsaved CorelDRAW files. Click here to view the answers.

1. How to recover lost CDR files?

If you did not empty the Recycle Bin after deleting the CDR file, you can recover your CorelDRAW file by following these steps.

• Open the Recycle Bin on your computer.
• Locate the CorelDraw files you want to recover.
• Right-click on them and select "Restore."

2. Where are the Auto-Save files stored in Corel?

The automatically created backup file is named auto_backup_of_filename and can be saved anywhere. A backup file is created when you save a graph. The backup file is always named backup_of_filename and is saved in the same folder as the original graph.

3. Where are CorelDRAW files stored?

Pictures, gradient fills, fonts, picture galleries, photo frames, and templates are stored in the DocumentsCorelCorel Content[Content Type] folder.