When you delete a file from OneDrive, it gets moved to the Recycle Bin, where it stays for 30 days before being permanently deleted.
The Recycle Bin is like a temporary holding area for files you no longer need.
It's worth noting that if you have OneDrive set to sync with your PC, the deleted file will also be removed from your local device.
Don't worry, recovering a deleted file from OneDrive is relatively easy, as long as it's within the 30-day timeframe.
What Happens to Deleted Files
Deleted files from OneDrive don't get completely wiped out. They're moved to the OneDrive Recycle Bin, where they remain available for 30 days after initial deletion.
Depending on the settings, deleted OneDrive items can also be sent to the local recycle bin on your device. This means you can recover them from either the OneDrive Recycle Bin or your device's Recycle Bin or Trash folder.
If you delete OneDrive online-only items, they won't appear in your device's Recycle Bin or Trash folder. This is because online-only items are stored only in the cloud and not on your device.
Deleted shared folders can't be restored once they've been deleted. If you've shared a folder with other OneDrive users and they delete items from there, the items will go to your OneDrive Recycle Bin.
Deleted items are moved from the Recycle Bin to the second-stage recycle bin 30 days after deletion. To access the second-stage recycle bin, open the Recycle Bin in the OneDrive web interface and click the Second-stage recycle bin link at the bottom of the page.
Here's a summary of what happens to deleted files from OneDrive:
- Deleted items are moved to the OneDrive Recycle Bin.
- Items remain available in the Recycle Bin for 30 days after initial deletion.
- Depending on settings, deleted items can be sent to the local recycle bin on your device.
- Online-only items don't appear in the device's Recycle Bin or Trash folder.
- Deleted shared folders can't be restored.
- Items are moved to the second-stage recycle bin 30 days after deletion.
Recovering Deleted Files
Deleted files from OneDrive don't completely disappear, they're moved to the Recycle Bin. The Recycle Bin is like a temporary holding area for deleted files, and it's where you'll find them if you want to recover them.
You have 30 days to recover deleted files from the Recycle Bin, which is a generous amount of time. If you're unable to find the deleted files in the primary Recycle Bin, check the Second-stage Recycle Bin, which is like a backup holding area for files that have been in the Recycle Bin for 30 days.
To recover deleted files from the Recycle Bin, simply access your OneDrive account, navigate to the Recycle Bin, locate the file you want to restore, click or tap on it, and select the "Restore" option. This will restore the file to its original location.
If you're using a Windows device, you can also check your Recycle Bin to see if the deleted files are there. However, if you've deleted online-only items, they won't appear in your device's Recycle Bin or Trash folder.
Here's a summary of the steps to recover deleted files from OneDrive:
• Access your OneDrive account
• Navigate to the Recycle Bin
• Locate the file you want to restore
• Click or tap on the file
• Select the "Restore" option
Remember, if you've shared a folder with other OneDrive users and they delete items from there, the items will go to your OneDrive Recycle Bin.
Permanent File Deletion
Permanently deleted files from OneDrive don't get completely wiped out. They're moved to the OneDrive Recycle Bin.
In the OneDrive Recycle Bin, items remain available for 30 days after initial deletion. This gives you a chance to recover them if needed.
If you delete OneDrive items, you can check your Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash (Mac) to see if they're still there. However, keep in mind that online-only items won't appear in your device's Recycle Bin or Trash folder.
If you've shared a folder with other OneDrive users and they delete items from there, those items will go to your OneDrive Recycle Bin.
OneDrive Recovery Process
OneDrive has a built-in recovery system for restoring deleted documents, similar to a recycle bin on your computer.
If you delete a file from OneDrive, it gets temporarily stored in its recycle bin, where you can retrieve it within a certain period.
You have to be careful, though - if you take too long to empty the Recycle Bin, permanently deleted files can end up staying there forever.
Here are some common scenarios where you might need to recover OneDrive files:
- Accidental Deletion: You accidentally delete a file while organizing your OneDrive.
- Corrupted Files: A file becomes corrupted due to a software glitch or hardware failure.
- Malware or Ransomware Attacks: Malicious software can delete or encrypt your files.
If you're concerned about recovering your files, it's a good idea to regularly check your Recycle Bin and empty it to prevent permanently deleted files from staying there.
Common Recovery Scenarios
Accidental Deletion is a common reason people need to recover OneDrive files. You can retrieve deleted files from OneDrive's recycle bin within a certain period.
If you accidentally delete a file while organizing your OneDrive, it's stored in the recycle bin. The recycle bin is like the one on your computer, but for OneDrive.
Corrupted Files can also be recovered. A file becomes corrupted due to a software glitch or hardware failure, making it difficult to access.
If a file is corrupted, it's possible that it was deleted and then recovered. This is because corrupted files can be recovered, but sometimes the recovery process is complicated.
Malware or Ransomware Attacks can also lead to file recovery issues. Malicious software can delete or encrypt your files, making them inaccessible.
If you're a victim of a malware or ransomware attack, it's essential to act quickly to recover your files. OneDrive's recycle bin can help you retrieve deleted files, but be aware that permanent deletion can make recovery difficult.
Sources
- https://www.nakivo.com/blog/how-to-recover-permanently-deleted-files-from-onedrive/
- https://admindroid.com/how-to-detect-who-deleted-the-files-from-microsoft-365
- https://www.multcloud.com/explore/can-you-recover-onedrive-files-1207-ac.html
- https://www.stellarinfo.com/blog/deleted-files-coming-back-on-windows-11/
- https://www.handyrecovery.com/deleted-files-not-in-recycle-bin/
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