How to Recover OneDrive Recycle Bin?
Last updated
Last updated
OneDrive, Microsoft's cloud storage service, offers an excellent way to store, share, and access files from anywhere. As with most file storage systems, OneDrive has a Recycle Bin feature that allows users to recover deleted files and folders within a specified period. This ensures that even if you accidentally delete a file, you can easily retrieve it, minimizing the risk of data loss.
However, understanding how to recover files from the OneDrive Recycle Bin can be somewhat confusing, especially for new users. In this comprehensive guide, we will explain everything you need to know about OneDrive Recycle Bin recovery—from how to access it to detailed steps on restoring deleted files and troubleshooting common issues.
The OneDrive Recycle Bin is a temporary storage location where files and folders go when they are deleted from your OneDrive account. It functions similarly to the Recycle Bin on your computer. When you delete a file or folder, it is moved to the OneDrive Recycle Bin and remains there for a specified period, during which you can recover it.
OneDrive’s Recycle Bin holds deleted items for 30 days by default. After this period, the items are permanently deleted from the Recycle Bin, and you will no longer be able to recover them through OneDrive’s interface. However, in some cases, such as with OneDrive for Business, administrators may have different retention policies, which could extend or shorten this time frame.
It’s important to note that the OneDrive Recycle Bin can hold up to 1000 items per user account. If the Recycle Bin reaches this limit, older files will be automatically removed, making space for newer deletions.
Before you can recover any deleted files or folders, you need to access the OneDrive Recycle Bin. Below are the steps to access the Recycle Bin, whether you are using a web browser, Windows PC, or mobile device.
Accessing the OneDrive Recycle Bin through a web browser is one of the easiest and most common methods. Follow these steps:
Open Your Web Browser: Launch your preferred web browser (e.g., Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Safari).
Go to OneDrive Website: In the browser’s address bar, type onedrive.com and press Enter.
Sign In to Your Microsoft Account: If you are not already logged in, you will be prompted to sign in with your Microsoft account (such as an Outlook, Hotmail, or Live email address). Enter your login credentials and proceed.
Open the Recycle Bin:
Once logged in to your OneDrive account, locate the Recycle Bin option in the left-hand navigation pane. It’s usually listed under the Files section, along with folders like Documents and Pictures.
Click on Recycle Bin to open it.
If you have OneDrive installed on your Windows PC and are syncing files locally, you can also access the Recycle Bin directly from your PC.
Open File Explorer: On your PC, click on the File Explorer icon from the taskbar or press Windows + E to open it.
Navigate to OneDrive Folder: In the left-hand panel of File Explorer, you will see OneDrive listed as a separate directory under "This PC." Click on OneDrive.
Find the Recycle Bin: In your OneDrive folder, you may also see a Recycle Bin folder if you’ve synced it to your computer. Double-click to open it.
Restore Items: If any deleted files are in the OneDrive Recycle Bin on your PC, you can select them and restore them directly from here.
For mobile users, the OneDrive mobile app makes it simple to recover files from the Recycle Bin. Here’s how to do it:
Open the OneDrive App: Launch the OneDrive app on your Android or iOS device.
Go to the "Me" Tab: Tap the Me tab (usually located in the bottom-right corner of the app).
Access Recycle Bin: Scroll down and find the Recycle Bin option, usually located under Manage.
Recover Files: Tap on the Recycle Bin to view deleted files. You can select any item and restore it to your OneDrive account.
Once you’ve accessed your Recycle Bin, you can easily recover deleted files by following these steps. The process is simple and can be done on any device—whether you're using the web interface, your Windows PC, or the mobile app.
Browse the Recycle Bin: After opening the Recycle Bin, browse through the list of deleted files and folders. You can view deleted items by name, date, or size. If there are many deleted files, you may also use the search function to find specific files.
Select Files/Folders: To select files or folders that you want to recover, simply click on them. On the web, you can select multiple files by holding down the Ctrl (Windows) or Cmd (Mac) key while clicking the items. On mobile devices, tap and hold to select multiple files.
Click Restore:
After selecting the files, look for a Restore button in the toolbar. The exact location of this button may vary depending on the device you're using:
Web Browser: On the top toolbar of the Recycle Bin, there is a Restore button. Click on it to recover the selected files.
Windows PC: In File Explorer, you may have a Restore option available after right-clicking the selected files.
Mobile App: After selecting the files in the app, tap the Restore option.
Wait for the Process to Complete: After clicking Restore, OneDrive will restore the selected files and return them to their original location in your OneDrive account. The process should only take a few moments, depending on the number of files being restored.
Once the restore process is complete, you should be able to find the files back in your OneDrive folders. The restored files will appear in their original locations in your OneDrive folder structure.
If the file was in a shared folder, it will be restored to that shared folder as well.
If your files are no longer available in the Recycle Bin—either because the 30-day retention period has passed or they were manually deleted from the Recycle Bin—you have a few limited options left for recovery:
If you’ve lost an important file or folder that has been updated multiple times, you may be able to restore an earlier version of the file from OneDrive’s Version History feature.
Right-click the File: In your OneDrive folder, right-click on the file or folder you want to recover.
Select Version History: From the context menu, click on Version History. You will see a list of previous versions of the file.
Restore a Previous Version: Choose the version you wish to recover and click Restore.
If the file is no longer available in your Recycle Bin and you cannot recover it through Version History, your final option is to contact OneDrive support. In certain cases, especially with business accounts or enterprise subscriptions, support staff may be able to help recover permanently deleted files, but this is not guaranteed.
To contact OneDrive support:
Open OneDrive Help & Support: You can access this by clicking on the Help & Support option in the settings menu of OneDrive.
Request Assistance: From here, follow the on-screen instructions to request assistance or contact a support agent.
OneDrive's Recycle Bin holds deleted items for 30 days before permanently deleting them. After the 30-day period, files and folders are permanently removed, and they cannot be recovered through the OneDrive interface. If you’ve passed the 30-day threshold, it’s essential to regularly back up your important files to prevent accidental loss.
Recovering files from OneDrive’s Recycle Bin is a straightforward process that can save you from accidental deletions. Whether you're using a web browser, a Windows PC, or a mobile device, OneDrive makes it easy to recover lost files within 30 days of deletion. Understanding how to access and restore files from the Recycle Bin is an essential skill for OneDrive users, especially those who store critical documents and photos.
While the Recycle Bin provides a safety net, it’s important to take proactive steps to prevent file loss, such as enabling Version History and regularly backing up your data. If you ever find yourself in a situation where files are permanently deleted, contact OneDrive support to see if recovery options are available. By following the tips and methods provided in this guide, you can ensure that your files are safe and recoverable whenever necessary.