all my important files are gone

Melissa Mosbey 0 Reputation points
2026-09-01T20:14:19.6633333+00:00

everything is missing now and i already checked the recycle folder and tryed restoring microsoft one.

Microsoft 365 and Office | OneDrive | For home | Other
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  1. John Jefferson Doyon 86,980 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-09-01T21:01:32.8766667+00:00

    Hi, @Melissa Mosbey

    Since you already checked the Recycle Bin and tried restoring OneDrive, first sign in directly at https://onedrive.live.com and make sure you are using the Microsoft account where the files were originally stored.

    Also try using the search box in OneDrive to search for the name of one missing file or folder.

    If the files are also missing on the OneDrive website, to help narrow this down:

    1. Are the files missing from the OneDrive website itself, or only from your computer/phone?
    2. Did anything happen before the files disappeared, such as reinstalling Windows, unlinking OneDrive, changing accounts, or stopping folder backup?
    3. About when did you last see the missing files?

    Please do not empty the OneDrive Recycle Bin or make major changes to the folders for now.

    Click "Add comment" to let me know.

    Thanks!

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  2. AI answer

    2026-09-01T20:14:35.3333333+00:00

    Since the Recycle Bin and Restore your OneDrive were already tried, the remaining supported checks are:

    1. Go to the OneDrive website and use Search everything at the top of the page.
      • Search by more than filename: try descriptions, tags, dates, and places.
      • Files in Personal Vault do not appear in search results.
    2. Check whether the files are in Personal Vault.
      • In the OneDrive recycle bin, select Show Personal Vault items.
      • If that option is not shown, Personal Vault is already unlocked.
    3. Make sure the correct Microsoft account is being used.
      • If multiple Microsoft accounts exist, the files may be in another OneDrive.
      • Sign out and sign in again with the other account if needed.
    4. Check local device storage.
      • On Windows or Mac, use File Explorer or Finder to search the computer.
      • Also check the computer’s Recycle Bin or Trash.
      • If files were deleted from the cloud, they will not appear in the computer Recycle Bin or Trash.
    5. If the files were created after the restore point used in Restore your OneDrive, they may have been moved to the OneDrive Recycle Bin during restore. Check the Recycle Bin again for anything created after that restore point.

    Important limits from the supported guidance:

    • Restore your OneDrive only undoes actions from the last 30 days.
    • If a file was permanently deleted from the OneDrive Recycle Bin, it cannot be recovered.
    • Support agents cannot access files or provide recovery beyond the listed guidance.
    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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