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Watch the tutorial
Step 1: Open Project Settings from the File menu
Open Premiere Pro with any project (it can be a blank one), then click File in the top-left corner. Scroll all the way down to Project Settings and hover over it. A small side menu opens. You do not need to change anything here, it is only the way to find out where your backups live.
Step 2: Click Scratch Disks
In the side menu, choose Scratch Disks. This window lists the folders where Premiere stores its temporary files, such as previews, captured audio and, most importantly, auto-saves.
Step 3: Find the Project Auto Save path
Look for the Project Auto Save row. Underneath it you will see a Path. By default it says Same as Project, and the path below shows the folder that holds your auto-saves. Copy it, or simply remember where it points.
Step 4: Open that path in your file browser
Open that location in File Explorer (Finder on a Mac). Inside you will find a folder called Adobe Premiere Pro Auto-Save. Open it.
Step 5: Open the latest auto-save file
This folder contains all of your automatic backups, saved as project files with the project name and a date in the file name. Check the Date modified column to find the newest version, or sort by it. Then double-click the file and Premiere Pro opens it automatically. Your project is now recovered.
Once it opens, use File > Save As to save the recovered project somewhere safe under a new name.
Tips
- Pick by date, not name. Several versions share the same project name. The newest Date modified is usually the one you want, unless the most recent save happened after something went wrong.
- Save a copy right away. Use Save As so the recovered file does not get overwritten by later auto-saves.
- Check your auto-save settings. Under Edit > Preferences > Auto Save you can choose how often Premiere saves and how many versions it keeps.
FAQ
Where does Premiere Pro save auto-save files?
Premiere uses the path shown under Project Auto Save in File > Project Settings > Scratch Disks. By default this is an Adobe Premiere Pro Auto-Save folder inside your Documents folder under Adobe and Premiere Pro.
How do I recover a Premiere Pro project after a crash?
Open Premiere Pro, find the auto-save folder using the steps above and double-click the newest project file. Premiere may also offer to open a recovered version when you restart after a crash.
Why is my auto-save file older than I expected?
Premiere only saves at set intervals, so you can lose a few minutes of work. Shorten the interval in the Auto Save preferences to lose less the next time.
Want a faster way to add adjustment layers and more? Try the free Mako panel for Premiere Pro.
