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How to Restore deleted files or folders from OneDrive online

Richard
Written by
Richard
Jun 28, 2026 Updated Sep 15, 2026 2 min read
How to Restore deleted files or folders from OneDrive online
How to Restore deleted files or folders from OneDrive online

Restoring deleted files or folders from OneDrive online recovers data that you removed from your cloud storage within the last 30 days. OneDrive keeps an online Recycle Bin that holds onto your deleted items for a full month, even if you already emptied the trash bin on your Windows computer.

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Sign in to the OneDrive website through your web browser to find and bring back your missing files in a few simple clicks.

⚡ Quick Answer

Access the OneDrive website, sign in, and navigate to the Recycle bin on the left-hand menu. Select the files or folders you wish to restore and click the “Restore” button at the top of the page.

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Why Restore Deleted Files?

Files deleted in OneDrive stay in the recycle bin for 30 days before the service deletes them permanently.

What Happens When You Restore Files?

Restoring deleted OneDrive files puts the files back exactly where they were before deletion. If a file was in your Documents folder, the file will return to the Documents folder. This recovery feature works for items deleted within the last 30 days, letting you recover lost files without hassle.

Step 1Go to the OneDrive Website

Open a web browser, go to onedrive.live.com, and sign in with your Microsoft or work/school account.

Microsoft account login page for signing in with email and password.
Microsoft account login page for signing in with email and password.

Step 2Find the Recycle Bin

Click “Recycle bin ” on the left side of the screen. This is where all the OneDrive items you recently deleted remain stored.

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OneDrive recycle bin showing deleted files and folders online.
OneDrive recycle bin showing deleted files and folders online.

Step 3Choose What to Restore

To restore deleted OneDrive files, check the box next to each item you want to get back, or click the Select all option at the top of the list to recover everything at once. You can pick multiple files and folders in the online Recycle Bin to bring them back together instead of processing each item individually.

Click the "Select all" option at the top of the list if you want to recover every item at once.

Selected deleted files in the OneDrive recycle bin online.
Selected deleted files in the OneDrive recycle bin online.

Step 4Start the Restore Process

To finish the process when you restore deleted OneDrive files, click the Restore button at the top of the page after selecting your items. Your files go back to their original folder location, or to your main OneDrive folder if the original spot no longer exists.

Restored files highlighted in the OneDrive recycle bin online.
Restored files highlighted in the OneDrive recycle bin online.

Restored files return to their original folder location. If the original folder is gone, OneDrive creates a new one. Alternatively, the recovered file might appear in the main OneDrive folder. Check both locations if the file is not immediately visible.

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Reference:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-US/onedrive/restore-deleted-files-or-folders-in-onedrive

Summary

OneDrive's Recycle Bin helps recover deleted files and folders. The Recycle Bin temporarily stores items removed from a OneDrive account, preventing permanent data loss. You can restore deleted files from the Recycle Bin for up to 30 days.

Does OneDrive have a secondary recycle bin?

OneDrive actually uses a two-stage recycle bin system for extra data protection.

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Tags: #Windows 11
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Richard

About the Author

Richard

Tech Writer, IT Professional

Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.

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