To recover a deleted OneDrive file, open OneDrive on the web, select Recycle bin, choose the file or folder, and select Restore. If the file still exists but its contents were overwritten or corrupted, open that file’s Version history and restore an earlier version. If many files changed, Microsoft 365 subscribers can use Restore your OneDrive to roll back account activity from a chosen point within the last 30 days.
Choose the recovery method that fits what happened
| What happened | Best first option | Scope and limits |
|---|---|---|
| One file or folder was deleted | OneDrive web Recycle bin | Microsoft says the window is 30 days for personal accounts and 93 days for work or school accounts, unless an administrator changes the setting. Permanently deleted recycle-bin items cannot be restored through the documented user-facing flow. Microsoft Support |
| A file was overwritten or corrupted | That file’s Version history | Restore an earlier version of one file at a time. Microsoft’s guidance states a 30-day retention period; work or school administrators may disable versioning. Microsoft Support |
| Many files have recent unwanted changes | Restore your OneDrive | Available to Microsoft 365 subscribers; rolls back file and folder activity within the last 30 days. Files created after the selected restore point are sent to the recycle bin. Microsoft Support |
| A file does not appear in OneDrive | Check account, search, Personal Vault, and local storage | An account mismatch, a hidden vault item, shared-file access changes, or an online-only file can make a file seem missing. Microsoft Support |
Restore a deleted file or folder from OneDrive
- Go to OneDrive and sign in to the account where the item was stored. If you use both personal OneDrive and a work or school account, check the relevant account.
- In the navigation pane, select Recycle bin.
- Select the file or folder, then select Restore. Microsoft says it returns to its original OneDrive location.
- If the item is in Personal Vault, unlock the vault or select Show Personal Vault items in the recycle bin to view its deleted items.
Microsoft’s stated recycle-bin windows are 30 days for personal accounts and 93 days for work or school accounts. Work or school administrators can change the retention setting, so the 93-day period is not guaranteed in every organization. If the item was permanently deleted from the recycle bin, Microsoft says it cannot be recovered through this user-facing process. Microsoft Support
Recover overwritten or corrupted content with Version history
- Open OneDrive on the web and locate the file.
- Right-click the file and choose Version history.
- In the version pane, select the ellipsis beside the version you want, then choose Restore.
The selected version becomes the current version; the version that was current beforehand remains in the version list. Microsoft says Version history supports all file types, including Microsoft 365 files, PDFs, CAD files, photos, and videos. Its support guidance states a 30-day retention period. A work or school administrator may have disabled versioning. Microsoft Support
If you use the OneDrive sync app, Microsoft also documents accessing Version history from File Explorer. Use the version list to restore only the affected file; this is narrower than rolling back activity across the entire OneDrive.
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Roll back many recent changes with Restore your OneDrive
For widespread unwanted changes, Microsoft 365 subscribers can use Restore your OneDrive to undo actions on files and folders from a selected point within the previous 30 days. Microsoft describes this as undoing all actions that occurred on files and folders in that period. Microsoft Support
- Open the Restore your OneDrive page in OneDrive.
- Choose a date or custom restore point.
- Review the activity chart and reverse-chronological activity feed, and check which operations are selected.
- Confirm the restore only after checking the scope. Files or folders created after the selected point are sent to the recycle bin.
Use this broad rollback only when multiple changes need to be undone. For one deleted item, restore it from the recycle bin; for one overwritten file, use its Version history.
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- Easily store and access 5TB of content on the go with the Seagate portable drive, a USB external hard Drive
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
If the file is still missing
- Search the OneDrive website. Try filename variations, descriptions, tags, dates, or places. Microsoft notes that Personal Vault contents do not appear in search results. Microsoft Support
- Verify the account. Check the personal and work or school OneDrive accounts separately if you use both.
- Check Personal Vault. Unlock it to inspect its contents; for deleted vault items, use Show Personal Vault items in the recycle bin.
- Check the computer’s Recycle Bin or Mac Trash only for a local copy. A locally available synced file may be there. Online-only files are stored in the cloud and will not appear in the device’s local bin; use the OneDrive or SharePoint web recycle bin instead. Microsoft Support
- Consider whether someone else owned the shared file. If the owner deleted it, you may no longer have access to it. Microsoft Support
- For a work or school account, contact your administrator. Ask about tenant retention settings and any organization-specific investigation or recovery options.
When OneDrive recovery is no longer available
Microsoft says permanently deleted files in the OneDrive recycle bin cannot be recovered through the described user-facing recovery flow. For organization accounts, the administrator may be able to check configuration or other organization-specific options, but the availability of those options depends on the tenant.
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- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
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- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
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