Retrieving a copy-pasted over version of a file

[yoe91]

Yeah, I don't even remember doing it, but I've got a Text file with clearly a previous version of what the info I'd written in it, and I can't find the updated latest file anymore. Doing lots of handling of such files currently, I must've copy-pasted an old version on it by mistake along with other copy-pastes.

I know there are programs to retrieve deleted files, but is there a way to just get back a previous version of a small native file like a TextEdit file ? A kind of 'Undo' thing...or a software perhaps.
I don't use the Time Machine thing on my mac.

 

[smirking]

I'd say you're out of luck, but for next time, start using this:
http://www.clipmenu.com

It'll store a history of the things you've copied and pasted so you can go back and find things you've copied. Besides being a general productivity booster, its also saved my bacon a number of times when I hastily pasted over something I shouldn't have.

Of course it'll only be useful for this kind of situation if you also had copied the contents of the file you lost. I reflexively do this for a lot of things I paste over just in case I regret my action. I don't even think about it. I'll just copy it first before I copy and paste what's going to replace it.

 

[JohnDS]

I don't use the Time Machine thing on my mac.

I hope you are using some sort of backup on your Mac. Otherwise you are courting disaster. If you are not, why not buy an external USB drive (they are cheap) and start using Time Machine?

 

[Ulenspiegel]

I also use a Clipboard Manager application (iClip) to keep history of copy-pasted content. It is very useful.

 

[yoe91]

Eh well I guess I'm forked. It's not huge, just about an hour of intense concentration/work. Oh well...
Thanks a lot for your replies guys, very much appreciated, will def look into that software.