How to Recover Files Deleted from OneDrive Recycle Bin?

Where do files go when deleted from OneDrive?

OneDrive, like other file hosting and syncing services, offers cloud storage space for users to save and sync their files on the cloud. Users can save, share, move, and delete their data as they like. If you delete files but repent later or find you still need the deleted files, you can recover them from the recycle bin, which stores the deleted files for 30 days.

However, some users empty the Recycle Bin or remove deleted files again from it, resulting in permanently deleted files.  So you may want to know how to recover files deleted from OneDrive recycle bin if you are in this situation. You may also lose files due to virus or malware infection, backup conflicts, etc.

Anyway, there are several methods in this article, whether it's in Recycle Bin or not. As you know, like other cloud storage devices, OneDrive also provides a backup feature to help users backup files. If you are also facing the OneDrive files missing issue now, you may think of backups.

How to recover deleted files in OneDrive

In this section, you will learn how to recover deleted files from OneDrive in 5 practical ways. Some of them even helps to recover permanently deleted files from OneDrive. Check out and select one that fits your situation.

Method 1. Recover deleted files from OneDrive Recycle Bin

OneDrive also has a Recycle Bin folder that stores deleted files for 30 days. You can check if deleted files are in the Recycle Bin at the first time.

Step 1. Go to  https://onedrive.live.com/ and log in with your OneDrive account.

Step 2.  Select Recycle Bin at the left panel.

Step 3.  Check if there are deleted files to be recovered.  Select it and click the Restore button.

Method 2. Recover OneDrive files from local copies

Once you enable OneDrive, it will create a local OneDrive folder to backup files inside it automatically. So if your files are not in the OneDrive Recycle Bin, you can try to find it in the local OneDrive folder.

Step 1. Right-click the OneDrive icon, then go to Settings > Account and click the Choose folder button. 

Step 2. After loading, you will see the location of the local OneDrive folder. It displays at the bottom-left corner, click it. 

Step 3. It will navigate you to your OneDrive folder. Just check if your deleted files are there and upload them to OneDrive cloud storage. If not, your files may be permanently deleted.

Method 3. Restore your OneDrive to previous version 

Though files deleted from the recycle bin cannot be recovered directly, you could revert OneDrive to its earlier date to undo the deletion. Then, how does OneDrive restore previous version?

OneDrive has an inbuilt feature - Restore your OneDrive to rollback OneDrive. In this way, all the changes you made will be canceled. It is similar to performing a system restore to an earlier status.

Step 1. Go and sign in to your Microsoft account on the OneDrive website > Settings > Options > Restore your OneDrive.

Step 2. Move the slider below to choose an earlier date and click Restore.

With the help of this feature, you can rollback OneDrive and undo the permanent deletion. It will also be helpful when you need to recover overwritten files in OneDrive.

Method 4. Restore previous version of local OneDrive folder

If you didn’t subscribe to Microsoft 365, the restore feature wouldn’t be available for you. But there is another way.

Windows PC is built with a Previous Versions feature that stores copies of the files and folders. Once your files get deleted, lost, corrupted, damaged, etc., you can restore previous version of the files/folders to get them back.

Step 1. Visit the OneDrive Personal folder > target the parent folder that contains the deleted files > right-click on it > click Restore previous versions.

Step 2. Select an earlier version > Restore.

Moreover, if the item you removed is a big folder directly under the OneDrive folder, just choose the whole OneDrive drive > Restore previous versions > choose a preferred version > Restore to recover files deleted from OneDrive Recycle Bin.

Method 5. Recover permanently deleted files from OneDrive using software

As has been mentioned, only Microsoft 365 users and those who have activated File History and restore points can restore permanently deleted files from OneDrive.

In addition, reverting OneDrive or a folder to a previous status will inevitably influence other files in the folder and the drive, which may lead to unnecessary damages or troubles.

Then, how to recover files deleted from OneDrive recycle bin if there are no previous versions to restore? It will be better if it does not affect other files. In this case, an efficient Windows data recovery app will be the correct key to the door. It stands out for its unique features in data recovery.

MyRecover

BEST Data Recovery Software for Windows PC

• Competitive: Developed and supported by the leading benchmark of the data security industry, MyRecover is outstanding.
• User-friendly interface: With a clean and simple design, it facilitates all users to operate it efficiently.
• Core scanning and recovery technologies: Its Quick & Deep Scan methods will scan your disk thoroughlyand find out as much data as possible. You can then recover all of them successfully.
• Comprehensive scenarios. It applies to file deletion, formatting, recycle bin emptying, viruses, etc.
• 200+ data formats: It supports different data types, includingdocuments (TXT, DOCX, XLSX, CSV), images (JPG/JPEG, PNG, TIFF, HEIF, GIF, SVG), videos(MPEG/MP4, MOV, AVI,WMV), compressed files (7Z, ZIP, ZAP RAR, AR/ARC,), etc., up to 200+ formats.
• Compatible. It supports Windows 11/10/8/7 SP1& servers and storage devices in NTFS/FAT32/exFAT/ReFS file systems.

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Using MyRecover, you can easily recover deleted files from OneDrive as long as your files are deleted from the local OneDrive folder. 

Step 1. Download and run MyRecover > Hover the mouse over the drive containing local OneDrive folder and click Scan to scan.

Step 2. It will start Quick Scan & Deep Scan automatically to scan your disk for deleted or lost files and display them in the following window. 

Step 3. Go to the OneDrive folder in Deleted files or Other Missing Files directory and select the permanently deleted data. Then, click Recover x files. Remember to select a new location to save deleted OneDrive files to prevent data overwriting.

With the help of this app, it is easy to recover permanently deleted files in Windows 10/8/7 and Windows 11.

Conclusion 

Users can read this article to learn how to recover files deleted from OneDrive recycle bin. In general, the “Restore your OneDrive” feature and the Previous Versions on the Windows PC can help you get back data by reverting the folder.

If you want to know how to recover permanently deleted files from OneDrive, a data recovery program for Windows will be the best choice.

FAQ

Now, in case you need further help, some frequently asked questions are ready with answers.