How to Fix: OneDrive Deleted My Files?

OneDrive deleted my files! Get four efficient ways to recover deleted files from OneDrive on this page. And you can also get data loss prevention tips.

Penny

By Penny / Updated on April 3, 2024

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Can you recover permanently deleted OneDrive files?

OneDrive deleting my files

   
   
   
       

Last night, my messages being deleted from OneDrive, but I haven’t deleted anything from OneDrive. I’m working on a photo project and when I logged in today my current photo catalog had vanished completely. I was able to recover an older version, but I am losing a year’s worth of work. Luckily, I’ve backed these files on an external hard drive because as soon as OneDrive synced that file, it moved it to the Recycle Bin and deleted it a few minutes later. For now I’ve turned off OneDrive to save the files I’ve left. Why is happening? How do I fix it? I don’t suppose there’s any chance of getting my photo catalog back?

- A user from Microsoft Community

Appearing in August 2007, Microsoft OneDrive allows registered users to share and sync their files within 5GB of free storage space.

If you need, 100 GB, 1TB, or 6TB storage options are available separately. Meanwhile, the OneDrive client app enhances its device with file synchronization and cloud backup features.

onedrive

“OneDrive deleted my files, how to recover deleted files from OneDrive?” As you can see, OneDrive plays a significant role in our careers. If you’re struggling to fix this issue, please read on.

Possible reasons for OneDrive deleted files

OneDrive deleted all my files from computer! Before beginning the data recovery process, let’s get an overview of possible reasons for this issue.

▶Outdated drivers on Windows.

▶Corrupted operating system files.

▶An outdated or corrupted OneDrive client.

▶Sudden interruption during upload.

▶Malware/Virus attacks.

How to recover deleted files from OneDrive?

Are you wondering what can I do if OneDrive deleted my files? Please don’t worry and you can ask for help from the following four solutions.

Method 1. Recover deleted files from OneDrive Recycle Bin/Second-stage recycle bin

How to recover deleted files from OneDrive? The easiest way is to open your OneDrive Recycle Bin to check them.

Step 1. Go to the OneDrive website and log into with your own OneDrive account.

Step 2. Click the “Recycle Bin” icon and “Restore” your selected files/folders to their original location.

If you log into OneDrive with a Microsoft account or school/work account, your items will be automatically erased from the Recycle Bin after 30/93 days.   

If your deleted OneDrive files are not in the Recycle Bin beyond 30/93 days, they might be moved to the Second-stage recycle bin.

Step 1. One the OneDrive Recycle Bin page, click “Second-stage recycle bin” at the bottom.

Step 2. Tick your desired OneDrive files among all the recoverable items and click the “Restore” button.

onedrive-recycle-bin-restore

 

Method 2. Restore OneDrive to a previous time and get the deleted files

OneDrive deleted my files! If the above method cannot help you fix this issue, you can try to restore OneDrive to a previous time. Then you can get your deleted files back.

Step 1. Log into OneDrive with your personal account. Then click “Settings” and select the “Restore your OneDrive” option.

restore-your-onedrive

Step 2. On the next page, “Select a date” before deletion. Then “Restore” your deleted files.

click-restore-onedrive

Method 3. Recover deleted files from OneDrive local folder

OneDrive deleted all my files from my computer? How to restore them? The third way is to recover deleted files from OneDrive local folder because of the following reasons.

First, OneDrive creates a folder named OneDrive and will sync all your OneDrive files automatically to this folder. Second, deleted files on the OneDrive website won’t affect the local files saved on your PCs.

Step 1. Click the “OneDrive” icon at the bottom. Then select “Settings” from the More menu.

onedrive-settings

Step 2. Under the Account tab, click the “Choose folders” button. Please remember the location of your OneDrive folder.

recover-onedrive-from-local-folder

Press “Win + E” to open Windows File Explorer and find your OneDrive folder. If you cannot locate the folder, you’re supposed to refer to a better approach like the following one.

Method 4. Recover deleted/lost files from OneDrive with data recovery software

If there’s no sign of your local OneDrive folder in File Explorer, not to mention getting your permanently deleted files back from the OneDrive Recycle Bin after 30 days.

How to recover deleted files from OneDrive with no effort? So why not use professional data recovery software like MyRecover to help you?

There’re highlights of this highly-praised tool.   

★Tips:   
Recover the deleted/lost Word document, Excel, PPT, PDF, Photos, Videos, Audio, folders, compressed files, and other 200+ types of data from HDD, USB, SD cards, etc.
Get the original format for the deleted and lost data.
During scanning, search your needed files by entering their filenames in the search bar or wait to find all the deleted and other lost files on your computers.   
Support NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, and ReFS file systems.

Download it on your Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, or Windows Server computers now!

Download SoftwareWin 11/10/8/7/Server
Secure Download

Step 1. After loading the disk, hover the mouse over the partition that includes your needed files. Then click Scan.

select-partition-to-scan

Step 2. Quick Scan and Deep Scan will detect all the deleted and other missing files. During scanning, you can also search to locate your desired files more quickly.

scan-lost-data

Step 3. Go to Deleted files/Other missing files folder, and click “Recover x files” to get your selected files back. Please save these OneDrive files in a new location.

select-deleted-ppt-files-click-recover

In conclusion

How to fix the issue of OneDrive deleted my files? This passage lists four feasible ways for your reference. Please read the above content to find a suitable approach for yourself.

In brief, using data recovery software recommended in the final method seems like the top choice. If you’re unwilling to suffer data loss again, why not use free AOMEI Backupper to back up files, folders, disks, partitions, or the system?

Penny
Penny · Editor
Penny works as an editor at AOMEI Technology, while she's a tester and editor for AOMEI Data Recovery Tools. She enjoys helping users with data recovery issues on Windows and iPhones using simple and practical solutions. Outside of work, she has a strong affection for pets, particularly giant pandas.