How to Recover Deleted Files in Microsoft OneDrive

Category: Microsoft 365
Applies to: Windows 10/11, macOS, iPhone, iPad, Android, and Web Browsers
Difficulty: Beginner
Estimated Time: 3–5 minutes

Overview

Microsoft OneDrive allows you to recover files and folders that were accidentally deleted. When a file is deleted from OneDrive, it is generally moved to the OneDrive Recycle Bin, where it may be restored before it is permanently removed. This guide explains how to recover deleted files and folders using your computer, mobile device, or web browser.

Before You Begin:

  • Make sure you are signed into OneDrive using your Microsoft 365 work account.
  • Confirm that your device is connected to the internet.
  • Know the name of the file or folder you want to recover, if possible.
  • Determine approximately when the file was deleted.
  • Confirm that the deleted file was originally stored in your OneDrive.

Important: Files deleted from OneDrive work or school accounts are generally retained in the Recycle Bin for up to 93 days, unless your organization’s retention settings have been changed. Recovery is not guaranteed if a file has been permanently deleted or its retention period has expired.

Windows — Recover Deleted OneDrive Files

Step 1: Check Your Windows Recycle Bin

  1. Open the Recycle Bin on your Windows desktop.
  2. Look for the missing file or folder.
  3. If you find the file, right-click it.
  4. Select Restore.
  5. Open the original folder to verify that the file has been restored.

Note: Not every deleted OneDrive file appears in the Windows Recycle Bin. Files deleted directly from OneDrive online or files stored only in the cloud may need to be recovered through the OneDrive website.

Step 2: Open OneDrive Online

If the file is not in your Windows Recycle Bin:

  1. Open your preferred web browser.
  2. Visit https://www.microsoft365.com.
  3. Sign in using your Microsoft 365 work email address.
  4. Complete any required Microsoft Authenticator verification.
  5. Open OneDrive from the Microsoft 365 application menu.

Step 3: Access the OneDrive Recycle Bin

  1. Locate the navigation menu on the left side.
  2. Select Recycle bin.
  3. Review the list of deleted files and folders.
  4. Look for the item you want to recover.

Note: You may be able to sort or search through deleted items depending on the OneDrive interface.

Step 4: Restore Your File

  1. Select the checkbox next to the file or folder you want to recover.
  2. Click Restore.
  3. Wait for OneDrive to complete the restoration.
  4. Return to My files.
  5. Navigate to the file’s original location.
  6. Verify that the file has been restored.

Note: OneDrive generally restores files to their original location. If you cannot locate the restored file, use OneDrive’s search feature.

Mac — Recover Deleted OneDrive Files

Step 1: Check Your Mac Trash

  1. Open Trash from your Mac’s Dock.
  2. Look for the deleted file or folder.
  3. If found, right-click or Control-click the item.
  4. Select Put Back.
  5. Open the original folder to confirm the file has returned.

Note: Files deleted from OneDrive online or files stored only in the cloud may not appear in your Mac’s Trash.

Step 2: Open OneDrive Online

If the file is not in Trash:

  1. Open Safari, Google Chrome, or your preferred web browser.
  2. Visit https://www.microsoft365.com.
  3. Sign in using your Microsoft 365 work account.
  4. Open OneDrive.

Step 3: Restore Your Deleted File

  1. Select Recycle bin from the navigation menu.
  2. Locate the deleted file or folder.
  3. Select the item.
  4. Click Restore.
  5. Navigate to the original folder.
  6. Verify that the file has been restored.

Important: Restored OneDrive files may take a few moments to synchronize back to your Mac.

Outlook on the Web or Any Web Browser — Recover Deleted OneDrive Files

You can recover deleted OneDrive files through a supported web browser without installing the OneDrive application.

Step 1: Open OneDrive

  1. Open your preferred web browser.
  2. Visit https://www.microsoft365.com.
  3. Sign in using your Microsoft 365 work email address.
  4. Complete any required Microsoft Authenticator verification.
  5. Open OneDrive.

Step 2: Open the Recycle Bin

  1. Locate Recycle bin in the left navigation menu.
  2. Click Recycle bin.
  3. Review the deleted files and folders.
  4. Locate the file you want to recover.

Step 3: Restore the File

  1. Select the checkbox next to the deleted file.
  2. Click Restore.
  3. Wait for the restoration to complete.
  4. Return to My files.
  5. Locate the restored file.

Note: You can select multiple files or folders to restore them together.

iPhone or iPad — Recover Deleted OneDrive Files

Step 1: Open Microsoft OneDrive

  1. Open the Microsoft OneDrive application on your iPhone or iPad.
  2. Make sure you are signed into your Microsoft 365 work account.
  3. Open the account or profile menu.

Step 2: Access the Recycle Bin

  1. Tap your profile or Me icon, generally located near the upper-left corner.
  2. Select your Microsoft 365 work account if prompted.
  3. Tap Recycle Bin.
  4. Review the deleted files and folders.

Step 3: Restore Your File

  1. Locate the file or folder you want to recover.
  2. Select the item.
  3. Tap Restore.
  4. Return to your OneDrive files.
  5. Verify that the file has been restored.

Note: The appearance of the menus may vary depending on your OneDrive application version.

Android — Recover Deleted OneDrive Files

Step 1: Open Microsoft OneDrive

  1. Open the Microsoft OneDrive application on your Android device.
  2. Make sure you are signed into your Microsoft 365 work account.
  3. Tap your profile or Me icon, generally located near the bottom-right corner.

Step 2: Access the Recycle Bin

  1. Select your work account if prompted.
  2. Tap Recycle Bin.
  3. Review the list of deleted files and folders.
  4. Locate the item you want to recover.

Step 3: Restore Your File

  1. Select the deleted file or folder.
  2. Tap Restore.
  3. Wait for OneDrive to complete the restoration.
  4. Return to your files.
  5. Confirm that the item has been restored.

Note: Restored files may take a few moments to appear across your other devices.

How to Restore an Earlier Version of a File

If a file was accidentally overwritten or changed, you may be able to restore a previous version without deleting the current file.

Step 1: Locate Your File

  1. Open OneDrive through your web browser.
  2. Navigate to My files.
  3. Locate the document you want to restore.
  4. Right-click the file or open its additional options.

Step 2: Open Version History

  1. Select Version history.
  2. Review the available versions.
  3. Locate the version you want to restore.
  4. If available, preview the version before restoring it.

Note: Version History availability depends on the file and your organization’s configuration.

Step 3: Restore the Previous Version

  1. Select the desired previous version.
  2. Open the additional options next to that version.
  3. Click Restore.
  4. Confirm the action if prompted.
  5. Open the document to verify that the correct version has been restored.

Important: Restoring an older version replaces the file’s current contents with that version. Other changes made since the selected version may no longer appear in the current document.

Recommendation: If you are unsure which version to restore, contact True Synergy Networks before proceeding, especially for shared or business-critical documents.

Understanding OneDrive File Recovery Periods

OneDrive maintains deleted files in its Recycle Bin for a limited time.

Microsoft 365 Work or School Accounts:

  • Deleted files are generally retained for up to 93 days.
  • Your organization’s administrator may configure different retention settings.
  • Recovery may be unavailable after the applicable retention period expires.

Personal Microsoft Accounts:

  • Deleted files are generally retained for up to 30 days.
  • Personal account retention policies differ from Microsoft 365 business accounts.

Important: The retention period is not a guarantee that every deleted file can be recovered. Files permanently deleted from all available recovery stages may no longer be recoverable through OneDrive.

Note: Advanced recovery options and organization-level retention settings are managed by True Synergy Networks.

What to Do if a File Is Missing From the Recycle Bin

If you cannot locate a deleted file in the OneDrive Recycle Bin:

Step 1: Verify Your Account

  1. Confirm that you are signed into the correct Microsoft 365 work account.
  2. Check that you are viewing your work OneDrive rather than a personal Microsoft account.
  3. Search your OneDrive files to confirm the document was not moved or renamed.

Step 2: Check Other Locations

  1. Open My files.
  2. Search for the document name.
  3. Check other folders where the file may have been moved.
  4. If the file was shared with you, contact the file owner.
  5. If the file was stored in Microsoft Teams or SharePoint, check the original location or contact the person responsible for the files.

Note: Files stored in SharePoint or Teams may have separate Recycle Bins and recovery processes.

Step 3: Contact True Synergy Networks

If the file is still missing:

  1. Contact True Synergy Networks.
  2. Provide the file or folder name.
  3. Include the approximate deletion date.
  4. Explain where the file was originally stored.
  5. Let the technician know whether you already checked the Recycle Bin.

Important: Do not attempt to modify retention settings, perform organization-level recovery, or use third-party recovery tools without authorization.

Troubleshooting

I Cannot Find the Recycle Bin

If you cannot locate the OneDrive Recycle Bin:

  1. Open a web browser.
  2. Visit https://www.microsoft365.com.
  3. Sign in using your work account.
  4. Open OneDrive.
  5. Locate Recycle bin in the navigation menu.

If the option is unavailable, contact True Synergy Networks.

My Restored File Is Not Appearing

If OneDrive reports that a file was restored but you cannot find it:

  1. Return to My files.
  2. Search for the file by name.
  3. Check the original folder.
  4. Confirm that you are signed into the correct account.
  5. Allow time for OneDrive to synchronize.

If the file remains unavailable, contact True Synergy Networks.

I Cannot Restore a Deleted File

If the Restore option is unavailable:

  1. Verify that the file is selected.
  2. Confirm that you are signed into the correct account.
  3. Check whether an error message is displayed.
  4. Try restoring the file through OneDrive on the Web.
  5. Contact True Synergy Networks if the issue continues.

Note: Files that have been permanently deleted or have exceeded their recovery period may not be recoverable.

I Accidentally Deleted an Entire Folder

If you deleted a folder containing multiple files:

  1. Open OneDrive on the Web.
  2. Select Recycle bin.
  3. Locate the deleted folder.
  4. Select the folder.
  5. Click Restore.
  6. Verify that the folder and its contents have returned.

Important: If the deleted folder contained shared or business-critical information, contact True Synergy Networks if any files remain missing after restoration.

A File Was Deleted From Microsoft Teams or SharePoint

Files stored in Microsoft Teams channels are generally stored in SharePoint rather than your personal OneDrive.

  1. Open the Microsoft Teams channel or SharePoint location where the file was originally stored.
  2. Check whether the file is still available.
  3. Confirm with the file owner or team members whether the file was moved.
  4. Contact True Synergy Networks if the file cannot be located.

Note: SharePoint and Teams files may use different recovery locations and permissions. Do not attempt to change administrative recovery settings.

Additional Information

  • Deleted OneDrive files may be recovered from the OneDrive Recycle Bin.
  • Work or school accounts generally retain deleted files for up to 93 days unless administrator settings differ.
  • OneDrive files deleted locally may also appear in your computer’s Recycle Bin or Trash.
  • Files stored only in the cloud may not appear in your computer’s local Recycle Bin.
  • Version History may allow you to restore an earlier version of a file.
  • Files shared with you may need to be recovered by their owner.
  • SharePoint and Microsoft Teams files may have separate recovery locations.
  • OneDrive synchronization is not a replacement for comprehensive data backup and retention services.
  • Advanced recovery and organization-level retention management are handled by True Synergy Networks.

Security Reminder: Never permanently delete files or empty your OneDrive Recycle Bin unless you are certain the files are no longer needed and their deletion complies with your organization’s policies. Do not use unauthorized recovery software or attempt to bypass company retention settings. If important company files were deleted unexpectedly or you suspect unauthorized activity, contact True Synergy Networks immediately.