Check the Recycle Bin first. If the file was in OneDrive or SharePoint, check its online recycle bin, which keeps deleted items for 93 days by default. For overwritten files, try Previous Versions or version history. If the file isn't in any of those, stop using the drive and restore from backup.
Common causes
Accidental deletion
Files deleted by mistake, or by someone else on a shared drive.
Overwritten file
Saving over a file with the wrong version.
Sync conflicts
OneDrive or Dropbox sync problems can remove or duplicate files.
Drive failure
A failing drive can make files unreadable.
How to fix it, step by step
- 1
Check the Recycle Bin
Restore the file from the Windows Recycle Bin if it's there.
- 2
Check OneDrive or SharePoint recycle bin
Sign in online and open the Recycle bin for the OneDrive or SharePoint site.
- 3
Use version history
For Office files in OneDrive or SharePoint, use Version history to restore an earlier version.
- 4
Try Previous Versions
Right-click the folder and choose "Restore previous versions" if File History or shadow copies are enabled.
- 5
Stop using the drive and restore from backup
If the file isn't found, avoid saving new files to that drive and restore from your backup.
When to call a technician
If the file isn't in any recycle bin, or the drive is failing, call before trying recovery software — continued use can overwrite the data. We recover from backups or the drive itself where possible.
On-site support across Orange County · see our IT support, managed IT, Microsoft 365 support and cybersecurity services.
Frequently asked questions
How long does OneDrive keep deleted files?
OneDrive and SharePoint keep deleted items for 93 days by default.
Can deleted files be recovered without a backup?
Sometimes, if the drive hasn't been heavily used since. Success drops the more the computer is used.
Why should I stop using the computer?
New files can overwrite the space where the deleted file was, making recovery impossible.