Question
How can I restore or recover a MATLAB script or function (.m file) that I accidentally deleted or lost?
Expert Answer
Kshitij Singh
PhD Expert
Answered Aug 24, 2026
By default, when you modify files in the Editor, MATLAB saves a backup copy every five minutes using an .asv extension. For example, "filename.m" would have a backup file name of "filename.asv." If you have accidentally deleted your MATLAB file, try recovering the unsaved changes by opening the backup copy of the file "filename.asv", and saving it as "filename.m".
If you have a backup system in place, such as Microsoft File History, Mac Time Machine, or a cloud backup service (e.g. MATLAB Drive Connector, Microsoft OneDrive, or Dropbox), you can recover your files from there.
If this does not help, it may be possible to restore previous versions of your files if your operating system has saved them. To do this, try the following articles:
- Windows: Windows File Recovery
- MacOS: View and restore past versions of documents on Mac
- Linux: How to Restore Previous Versions of a File on Any Operating System
If your operating system has not saved any past versions of the file, then unfortunately it is very difficult, if not impossible to recover the lost file. As a last resort, you can try Third-Party Recovery Tools or Professional Data Recovery Services.
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