Deleted File

Christina Spoon 0 Reputation points
2026-09-18T17:27:46.5233333+00:00

I have been noticing that my Macbook Pro doesn't work well with OneDrive as I have had files deled that I didn't want deleted. One was deleted on May 19, 2026 and I have been trying to get it recovered. The custom date on the recovering page doesn't go back that far. How can I get this file back?

Microsoft 365 and Office | OneDrive | For business | MacOS
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  1. AI answer

    2026-09-18T17:28:02.2833333+00:00

    For a OneDrive for work or school file deleted on May 19, 2026, the built-in recovery options are limited by retention:

    • Restore your OneDrive only rolls back changes from the last 30 days.
    • Deleted files for work or school accounts can usually be restored from the OneDrive recycle bin for up to 93 days, unless the administrator changed the retention setting.
    • If the file was permanently deleted from the OneDrive recycle bin, it cannot be recovered through OneDrive self-service.

    What to check:

    1. OneDrive website recycle bin
      Sign in to OneDrive on the web, open Recycle bin, and look for the file. If it is there, select it and choose Restore.
    2. Mac Trash
      If the file was deleted from a synced OneDrive folder on the Mac, open Trash and check whether the file is still there. If found, use Put back to restore it to the original folder.
    3. Correct account
      Verify the file was not saved under a different Microsoft account or another OneDrive account.
    4. Organization support
      Since this is OneDrive for business and the deletion date is far beyond the 30-day OneDrive restore window, contact the organization’s IT helpdesk, service desk, or admin. For work or school accounts, retention can depend on admin settings, and admin-side recovery may be the only remaining path.

    If the file is no longer in the recycle bin and the admin retention period has passed, there is no supported OneDrive recovery path left.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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  2. Chris-D 1,595 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-09-18T17:45:07.94+00:00

    Hi Christina,

    Thank you for sharing the details of your situation.  

    The Restore your OneDrive feature can only undo file activity from the previous 30 days. This is why the Custom date option does not allow you to select May 19, 2026. 

    Please sign in to OneDrive on the web and check the Recycle Bin to see whether the file is still available. You may also want to check the Trash on your MacBook Pro, as locally deleted OneDrive files may sometimes remain there. Kindly note that online-only files generally do not appear in the Mac Trash after deletion.  

    I also recommend checking: 

    • Whether the file was saved under another Microsoft account 
    • Any Time Machine or external-drive backups 
    • Other devices that may contain a local copy 
    • Email attachments or folders where the file may previously have been copied 

    For your references: 

    If this is a work or school OneDrive account, please contact your organization’s Microsoft 365 administrator, as they may be able to check additional recovery options or applicable retention policies. 

    If the file is no longer in the OneDrive Recycle Bin and no backup or local copy exists, it may not be recoverable through OneDrive. Permanently deleted files cannot be restored using the Restore your OneDrive feature. 

    I hope this information helps you locate the file. Should you have any further questions or need additional assistance, please feel free to share them in the comment below. I'm very happy to help.  

    If the answer is helpful, please click 'Yes' and kindly upvote it.

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