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Restore deleted files or folders in OneDrive

If you accidentally delete a file or folder in OneDrive, you may be able to recover it later from the OneDrive recycle bin.

For info about restoring a SharePoint file or folder, see how to restore items from the SharePoint recycle bin. For info about restoring SharePoint files stored in OneDrive, see Restore a previous version of a file in OneDrive.

Tip: As an Microsoft 365 subscriber, you can even restore your entire OneDrive if something goes wrong.

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Note: The video shows a OneDrive work or school account. See this video for deleting or restoring files with a Microsoft account.

Go to the OneDrive website, and sign in with either your Microsoft account or your work or school account. 

Tip: Get tech expertise with Business Assist. Connect with our small business advisors for help making Microsoft 365 products work for you and everyone in your business. Learn more.

  1. In the navigation pane, select Recycle bin.

    A screenshot showing the Recycle Bin tab in OneDrive.com.

  2. Select the files or folders you want to restore by pointing to each item and clicking the circle check box that appears, and then click Restore.

    Tip: If you're using OneDrive with your personal account, you can select Restore all items to restore everything in your recycle bin. This option isn't available in your work or school OneDrive. Files deleted from your Personal Vault will only show up in your recycling bin if your Personal Vault is unlocked before you check the recycle bin. You can use the Show Personal Vault items command in the recycle bin to unlock the Personal Vault and see those items.

    OneDrive Recycle Bin view showing the 'Show personal vault items' option

    Notes: 

    • If you're signed into OneDrive with a Microsoft account, items in the recycle bin are automatically deleted 30 days after they're put there.

    • If you're signed in with a work or school account, items in the recycle bin are automatically deleted after 93 days, unless the administrator has changed the setting. See more information about how long deleted items are kept for work or school accounts.

Restore deleted files or folders from your computer

If you deleted the files or folders from your OneDrive, check your Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash (Mac) to see if your files are there.

Notes: 

  • Deleted online-only (OneDrive online only icon) files will not appear in your computer's Recycle Bin or Trash.

  • If you get an email or notification saying "[Folder name] was removed from your OneDrive" it means that a shared folder was deleted. You will not be able to restore or recover a folder shared with you. If you shared a folder with other people and they deleted its contents, you can find the contents in your recycle bin.

  • To restore files from your Recycle Bin in Windows, open the Recycle Bin, select the files or folders you want to recover, then right-click them and select Restore. The file or folder will be restored to its original folder.

    Right-click menu to recover a deleted file from Recycle Bin

  • To restore files from your Trash on a Mac, open the Trash, select the files or folders you want to recover, then right-click them and select Put back. The file or folder will be restored to its original folder.

    Right-click menu to recove a file from Trash on a Mac

Learn more

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For help with your Microsoft account and subscriptions, visit Account & Billing Help.

For technical support, go to Contact Microsoft Support, enter your problem and select Get Help. If you still need help, select Contact Support to be routed to the best support option.

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Admins should view Help for OneDrive Admins, the OneDrive Tech Community or contact Microsoft 365 for business support.

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