How to recover deleted files from the OneDrive Recycle Bin

Backup & Storage KB-135

Summary

This guide helps you troubleshoot and resolve: How to recover deleted files from the OneDrive Recycle Bin. Follow the steps below to fix the issue.

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Common Causes

Accidentally deleting a critical document or folder can be stressful, but OneDrive for Business includes a built-in safety net. When you delete a file from your OneDrive, it isn't immediately erased from the server; instead, it is moved to the OneDrive Recycle Bin where it remains for a limited time before being permanently deleted.

Quick Fix Steps

If you have just deleted a file and need it back immediately, follow these rapid steps:

Sign in to your account at office.com and select the OneDrive icon.
Click Recycle bin in the left-hand navigation pane.
Select the file or folder you wish to recover.
Click Restore at the top of the page.

Detailed Instructions

Depending on how you access your files, the process for recovery may vary slightly. Below are the detailed steps for the web interface and the desktop synchronisation tool.

Using the OneDrive Web Portal

The web portal is the most reliable way to manage your deleted items as it provides access to the second-stage recycle bin.

Open your web browser and navigate to your organisation's SharePoint portal or office.com.
On the left-hand menu, click on Recycle bin.
Browse the list of deleted items. You can sort by Date Deleted to find your file more easily.
Tick the checkbox next to the file(s) or folder(s) you want to recover.
Select the Restore button from the top command bar. The items will be returned to their original folder location.

Using OneDrive on Windows (File Explorer)

If you have the OneDrive app installed on your PC, deleted files are typically sent to your local Windows Recycle Bin first.

Open the Recycle Bin from your desktop.
Search for the file name in the search bar at the top right.
Right-click the file and select Restore.
The file will automatically sync back to your OneDrive folder and be available on all your connected devices.

Troubleshooting and Advanced Recovery

What to do if the Recycle Bin is empty

If you cannot find your files in the primary Recycle Bin, they may have been moved to the second-stage recycle bin (available for OneDrive for Business accounts).

Go to the Recycle bin in the web portal.
Scroll to the bottom of the page.
Click the link that says Second-stage recycle bin.
If your files are here, select them and click Restore.

Important: Files are only kept in the Recycle Bin for a limited period (usually 93 days for business accounts). Once this window expires, or if the Recycle Bin is manually emptied, the data is permanently purged from the Microsoft servers.

Pro Tip: To prevent future data loss, consider setting up a secondary backup strategy. You can learn how to backup photos to external drive to ensure your most precious memories are stored in multiple locations.

Common Issues

Permission Errors: If you are trying to restore a file from a shared folder and receive a permission error, the owner of the folder may have changed your access rights.
Sync Conflicts: If you restore a file that has a newer version currently in your folder, OneDrive may create a duplicate file with the computer name appended to the filename to avoid overwriting data.

If you have checked both recycle bins and your files are still missing, please Open a Ticket so our team can analyse your account logs.

Still Having Issues?

Need more help? If the issue persists after trying these steps, please open a support ticket and our team will assist you.

💻 Open a Ticket