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(Solved) Deleted OneDrive Files Not in Recycle Bin
You can fix the deleted OneDrive files not in Recycle Bin issue easily and quickly in 4 simple and effective methods, along with step-by-step instructions.
By Ivy / Updated on March 10, 2025
“I accidentally deleted someOneDrive files in the web interface and I need to recover them. But I can’t find them in the Recycle Bin. Why deleted OneDrivefiles not in Recycle Binand where do they go?”
Where do deleted OneDrive files go if not in the Recycle Bin?
Normally, if you delete a file from OneDrive in Windows Explorer, you can find it in your computer’s Recycle Bin and recover deleted OneDrive file by right-clicking it and choosing Restore.
Similarly, the deleted files from onedrive.com will be moved to its Recycle Bin and remain for 30 days. If you are using OneDrive for Business, it will then go to the second-stage Recycle Bin and stay there for another 30 days until being permanently deleted.
Thus, you can check the local Recycle Bin or second-stage Recycle Bin to find deleted files. It doesn't matter if it's not there, your files are still out there somewhere. This article will provide you with 4 proven options to recover deleted files from OneDrive.
Why deleted OneDrive files not in Recycle Bin?
Before recovering deleted OneDrive files, it's necessary to talk about the possible reasons behind this issue. Usually, when deleting files, there are two situations, causing deleted OneDrive files are not in Recycle Bin.
- One is you delete files using the Shift + Delete shortcut or the command line, which will bypass the Recycle Bin and permanently delete files.
- The other is your files exceed the maximum size of the Recycle Bin. At the same time, your computer will prompt, "This folder is too big to Recycle Bin".
In addition, there is a sync issue due to network interruption or software glitches, causing the illusion of deleted files not in the Recycle Bin
How to recover deleted OneDrive files not in Recycle Bin
If you deleted OneDrive files in the web interface, here are 4 options on how to recover deleted OneDrive files not in Recycle Bin.
Option 1. Check local Recycle Bin
Normally, you can go to the local Recycle Bin if the OneDrive deleted files not in Recycle Bin.
Step 1. Open the Recycle Bin on the desktop.
Step 2. Search for deleted OneDrive files, select it, and click Restore.
If the deleted OneDrive files still not in the local Recycle Bin, you can try professional data recovery freeware AOMEI FastRecovery to scan the disk or partition containing OneDrive folder and recover deleted files in Windows 11/10/8/7 and Windows Server, with a high success rate.
It supports a wide range of data types, from documents to images, videos, audios, compressed files, etc., over 1000+ data formats, and works perfectly with NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, and ReFS file systems, highly compatible with different storage devices. More surprisingly, it can recover data of 500MB free.
Before starting, download, install and launch AOMEI FastRecovery on your computer.
Step 1. Hover the mouse over the drive or partition saving local OneDrive folder (usually C: drive). Then, click Scan.
Step 2. Then, the scanning process will start automatically. During scanning, you can type the file name or extension on the upper right search box. Or expand the Deleted Files or Recycle Bin to find deleted files in OneDrive folder.
Step 3. You don’t need to wait for the process to complete if you find the files you want to recover. Select the deleted files and click the Recover button. Please select a new location to save the recovered files.
In addition, you can also use it to recover data from formatted drives, or due to corrupted partitions, system crashes, virus attacks, and other data loss scenarios.
Option 2. Check the Second-state Recycle Bin
If the retention time is exceeded (30 days for Microsoft account and 93 days for work or schedule account) or you delete it from OneDrive Recycle Bin, it will be moved to the Second-stage recycle bin. Note this option is only available for OneDrive for Business.
Step 1. Navigate to the OneDrive and log into your OneDrive account.
Step 2. Click Recycle Bin on the left panel. Then, scroll down to bottom and click Second-stage recycle bin.
Step 3. Select the files or folders you need to recover and click Restore. All selected files will be restored to their original locations.
Option 3. Restore your OneDrive to previous time
OneDrive allows you to restore it to a previous time and get the already deleted files or folders back if you can’t find them in the Recycle Bin.
Step 1. Log in to your OneDrive account. Tap Settings and select Restore your OneDrive option from the drop-down menu.
Step 2. On the next page, select the date before deleting OneDrive files from the Select a date box.
Step 3. Then, select the change you want to undo and click Restore to start this process.
Option 4. Check the local OneDrive folder
Also, you can go to the local OneDrive folder and see if deleted OneDrive files are there.
Step 1. Click the OneDrive icon in the System Tray, and from the More menu, select Settings.
Step 2. Under the Account tab, click the Choose folders button.
Step 3. Check the OneDrive folder location in the lower left corner. Then, go to your OneDrive folder in File Explorer.
Closing words
This post primarily describes 4 options to fix the "deleted OneDrive files not in Recycle Bin" issue, along with step-by-step instructions. You can check the local Recycle Bin folder or Second-state Recycle Bin first, as deleted files are temporarily moved to the Recycle Bin.
The most effective method for recovering deleted OneDrive files locally is using professional data recovery software - AOMEI FastRecovery. It can handle any data loss scenario easily and quickly, even permanently deleted files. Free download it to try now!
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