how to recover onedrive files

devaki r 5 Reputation points
2026-04-27T18:47:52.3733333+00:00

how to i recover one drive files that seem to have disappeard or been deleted from the computer completely?

Microsoft 365 and Office | OneDrive | Other | Windows

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  1. AI answer

    2026-04-27T18:48:09.78+00:00

    Use a step-by-step approach, starting with the easiest recovery options and moving to broader restores.

    1. Check the OneDrive Recycle Bin (online)
    • Go to OneDrive on the web and sign in.
    • Open the Recycle bin.
    • Look for the missing files or folders.
    • Select them and choose Restore.
      • For personal accounts, items stay in the recycle bin for 30 days.
      • For work or school accounts, items stay for 93 days unless the admin changed this setting.

    If the files were in a shared folder that someone else deleted, they may not appear for you to restore; only the owner can restore that shared folder. If you shared a folder and others deleted files, those files should appear in your recycle bin and can be restored from there.

    1. Check your PC’s Recycle Bin / Trash If the files were deleted from a locally synced OneDrive folder:
    • On Windows: open Recycle Bin, select the items, right-click, and choose Restore.
    • On Mac: open Trash, select the items, right-click, and choose Put back.

    Note: Files that were “online-only” (never stored locally) will not appear in the computer’s Recycle Bin or Trash.

    1. Restore previous versions of individual files (work/school) If only a few files are corrupted or overwritten (not deleted):
    • Sign in to the Microsoft 365 portal and browse to the OneDrive or SharePoint library containing the file.
    • Select the file, click the ellipses (…) and choose Version History.
    • Pick an earlier version by date, click Restore, then OK.
    1. Restore the entire OneDrive (many files affected) If many files were deleted, overwritten, or corrupted (including malware):
    • Use Files Restore to roll back OneDrive to a previous point in time.
      • For personal OneDrive (Microsoft 365 subscribers): open the Restore your OneDrive options and choose a date within the last 30 days. This undoes all file and folder actions since that date. Files created after the restore point will be moved to the OneDrive Recycle Bin and can be restored from there.
      • For work or school OneDrive/SharePoint: follow the Restore your OneDrive or Restore a shared library instructions from the documentation.
    1. Check local copies via the OneDrive sync client If using the OneDrive sync client on Windows or Mac:
    • Open File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac).
    • Browse to the OneDrive folder and see if a local copy of the file or folder still exists.
    • If so, copy it to a safe location.
    1. If nothing else works (work/school) If the item is not in the Recycle Bin, not recoverable via Version History or Files Restore:
    • A SharePoint/OneDrive admin can contact Microsoft 365 support.
    • SharePoint Online keeps backups for 14 additional days beyond deletion, but only entire site collections can be restored (not individual files or folders).

    For personal OneDrive, if the file is not in the Recycle Bin, not in local storage, and not recoverable via Files Restore, there is no additional native Microsoft recovery option.

    References:

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  2. Katerina-N 9,290 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-04-30T20:49:39.98+00:00

    Hello devaki r,

    I realized that you want to recover OneDrive files. I am happy to assist you further.

    My suggestion for you:

    1. Check OneDrive Recycle Bin (MOST IMPORTANT)

    Go to https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/onedrive/online-cloud-storage

    Sign in with your account

    Click Recycle bin (left side)

    Find your files

    Select them > click Restore

    Files stay here 30 days (personal)

    1. Check your PC Recycle Bin (if deleted locally)

    Open Recycle Bin on desktop

    Find your files

    Right‑click > Restore

    Works only if file was synced locally

    1. Search OneDrive (files may not be deleted)

    Go to OneDrive website

    Use Search bar

    Try:

    • part of file name
    • file type (e.g. .docx, .jpg)

    Missing files often still exist but not showing due to sync issues

    1. Check correct account

    Sign out

    Sign in again

    Try other accounts (Outlook, Gmail, work account)

    Files won’t appear if you’re in the wrong account

    1. Restore entire OneDrive (if MANY files missing)

    Only if files disappeared in bulk

    Go to OneDrive website

    Click Settings > Options

    Choose Restore your OneDrive

    Pick a date before files disappeared

    Confirm Restore

    This rolls back everything (last 30 days)

    1. Restore previous file version (if file overwritten)

    Find file in OneDrive

    Right‑click > Version history

    Select older version > Restore

    Thank you for your patience and your understanding. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out.

    I'm looking forward for your reply.

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