(Fixed) OneDrive Deleted All My Files from My Computer

Why did OneDrive delete all my files?

Various reasons are responsible for the OneDrive deleted all my files from my computer issue. We have collected some tested reasons below:

• OneDrive is a sync service. So your files on the computer may be deleted if you deleted it from OneDrive.
• Check whether you are logged in to the correct Microsoft account.
• Outdated Windows operating system or OneDrive client.
• Your disk has bad sectors.
• OneDrive default save location. If you are using Windows 10 or 11, the new files or folders are automatically saved to OneDrive unless you change it to a different location on your PC.
• OneDrive limitations, e.g. you haven't used your OneDrive for two years, or you have exceeded your storage limit by more than 3 months, etc.

However, sometimes, even though you didn't remove any of those files, your computer may display a notice saying that you recently deleted a ton of files. Anyway, that's it. But, the most important thing now is how to recover your files and fix this issue.

Part 1. recover deleted OneDrive files

Restoring deleted files should be the initial step in troubleshooting. So how to recover deleted OneDrive files? We've gathered some proven methods to help you. Please try the following methods.

Method 1. Recover deleted files from OneDrive Recycle Bin

You can try to check the Recycle Bin of OneDrive and your computer, which is a temporary place to save the deleted files.

Step 1. Go to the OneDrive website and log in to your OneDrive account.

Step 2. On the left side, select the Recycle Bin. Next, click Restore after selecting the files or folders you want to recover.

Now you can go to the original location to check your files and folders.

If you can’t find your deleted files in the Recycle Bin, they may be moved to the second-stage recycle bin.

Step 1. Scroll down the Recycle Bin page and click Second-stage recycle bin at the bottom.

Step 2. Choose the files or folders you want to restore and press Restore. All of the chosen files will be put back where they were originally.

You can also recover deleted files from Recycle Bin on your computer. Open Recycle Bin, locate OneDrive deleted files and select Restore.

Method 2. Restore OneDrive to a previous date

You can still use the "Restore your OneDrive" feature to restore deleted files not in Recycle Bin from OneDrive to a previous date containing deleted files. 

Step 1. Log in to your OneDrive account. Click Settings > Restore your OneDrive from the drop-dowm menu.

Step 2. On the next page, choose a date that the files had not been deleted yet, and click Restore.

Method 3. Recover deleted OneDrive files with a professional tool

If OneDrive deleted files not in the Recycle Bin, you can still employ a professional data recovery software - MyRecover. It has a straightforward interface, which makes it easy to navigate even for novices. So you can easily retrieve deleted files from OneDrive in Windows 11, 10, 8, 7 and Windows Server in just 3 steps.

MyRecover's Core. Embedded with advanced scanning algorithms, it will thoroughly scan your disk for deleted or lost data which makes data recovery easy and quick, with a high success rate.

Powerful. It claims to support over 200 data types, from images (e.g. recover deleted PNG files) to documents, videos, audio files, compressed files, etc.

Efficient. It allows users to search or filter deleted files quickly, preview, and recover them while scanning if necessary.

All-inclusive. It applies to comprehensive data loss situations, including file deletion, Recycle Bin recovery, partition loss, damaged or formatted disk, etc.

Compatible. It supports recovering deleted files from hard drive with different file systems including NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, and ReFS.

On your computer, download and install MyRecover. It is 100% secure and trustworthy data recovery software with a virus-free guarantee. 

Step 1. Launch this professional data recovery software on your computer. Hover the mouse over the drive and click Scan to scan.

Step 2. The software will automatically start Quick Scan & Deep Scan to thoroughly scan your drive. Then, a list of lost files will appear. You can find deleted files in OneDrive by typing onedrive in the search box. It will display the OneDrive folder and all the deleted files inside it.

Step 3. Select the desired files and click Recover x files to recover deleted OneDrive files. You will be asked to select a location to save the recovered files. Please select a new one to avoid data overwritting. 

🔗 In addition, you can also use it to recover deleted Dropbox files, Google Drive files, etc. 

Part 2. Fix OneDrive is automatically deleting files

Unexpected automated file deletion in OneDrive is an annoying problem. Windows outdated drivers, corrupt operating system files, outdated OneDrive client, bad sectors, etc., may be the reason for the issue. Also, you logged in the wrong account. Don't worry about much and we will offer you feasible ways to fix this issue properly.

Method 1. Check if you logged in the wrong account

If you have more than one OneDrive account, you may be logged into the wrong account. Try to log out of the account you are currently logged in to and sign in with a different account. You need to type your username and password twice to confirm it is your account. Then, check if your files are there.

Method 2. Check hard disk for bad sectors using CHKDSK

You man encounter the error if your hard drive is corrupted with bad sectors. Using CHKDSK command can fix this problem.

Step 1. Press Win + R and enter CMD to launch Command Prompt.

Step 2. Enter CHKDSK to check if there are bad sectors in your hard drive.

Step 3. Enter the command chkdsk #: /f /r/x to fix the bad sectors. (Replace # with the letter of your disk you want to check)

Method 3. Change default save location

In Windows 10 or 11, if you turn on  the"Back up to OneDrive" feature, it will backup files  to OneDrive automcatilly and save a copy of files online. If you set it as OneDrive only, your files will not be kept in your computer's folder. Try to change the save location.

Step 1. Click the OneDrive icon > OneDrive Help and Settings, and select Settings.

Step 2. In the Sync and back up tab, click Manage Back up.

Step 3. Select the toggle of Documents, Pictures, or Desktop to turn it off.

Step 4. Then, in the confirmation dialog, select This computer only to move files from OneDrive folder to the folder on your computer.

Method 4. Update OneDrive client

You may encounter the problem “OneDrive deleted all my files from my computer automatically” if you are using an outdated version of OneDrive client. In this case, updating the OneDrive client may fix this problem.

Step 1. Under Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features, right-click Microsoft OneDrive software and click Change.

Step 2. Select Online Repair and click Repair to update your OneDrive client.

Method 5. Update Windows operating system

An outdated Windows operating system also can be the reason for OneDrive computer file deletion. You can use this method to check and update your Windows system.

Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, click Check for updates and install any available updates. Reboot your computer after that.

Conclusion

This article can help you if you are facing the same problem “OneDrive deleted all my files from my computer”. It not only helps you recover deleted OneDrives files but also fixes this issue. Of these, the most effective method is to use professional data recovery software for Windows - MyRecover.

To avoid this issue happen again, we advise you to use trustworthy Windows backup software - AOMEI Backupper Standard to backup files automatically and save at least 3 copies of files on 2 different locations.