Prevent SharePoint from Deleting Files Automatically & Recover SharePoint Files

Why is SharePoint deleting my files?

SharePoint is a web-based collaborative platform that integrates with Microsoft Office. Debuted in 2001, SharePoint is primarily marked as a document management & storage space.

But several users have reported that their documents automatically getting deleted from their SharePoint libraries.

When it comes to problems regarding automatically deleting SharePoint files from your computer, accidental deletion is one of the possible reasons. Or it was removed by a local application for a user who’s synchronized the SharePoint library. You could try to reconfirm whether a local application has removed/deleted this item or not.

Also, your installed local virus-protection software may also quarantine files automatically when detecting threats. After that, you may find your SharePoint files disappeared.

How do I stop SharePoint from deleting files automatically?

According to the above possible factors, there’re two directions for your reference. You can get an overview of these four solutions before following one of them.

Fix 1. Perform a full scan to remove detected suspicious files

If your SharePoint file deletes itself automatically, it is likely to be infected by malware viruses. So how do I stop SharePoint from deleting files automatically?

In this scenario, you’d better make good use of this Windows feature to remove ransomware viruses.

Step 1. Press “Win + I” to open Windows Settings. Then go to Update & Security > Windows Security > Virus & threat protection.

Step 2. Click “Scan options” on the Virus & threat protection screen.

Step 3. Choose “Full scan” and click “Scan now” to start the scanning process.

Fix 2. Uninstall malfunctioned updates

Apart from that, if your latest Windows Update file causes your Windows automatically delete SharePoint files, which suggests there is something wrong with your update file.

So you need to uninstall/delete Windows Update files on Windows 10, or 11 computers.

Step 1. Press “Win + I” to open Windows Settings. Then click Update & Security > Windows Update > View update history.

Step 2. Click the “Uninstall updates” option.

Step 3. Please right-click on your malfunctioned Windows Update file version and click the “Uninstall” button.

Fix 3. Recover deleted files from the SharePoint Recycle Bin

If you accidentally deleted files from SharePoint, its Recycle Bin provides a possibility for SharePoint recover deleted files. Please ensure you’re allowed to use administrative or ownership rights before following the steps below.

Step 1. Go to the SharePoint site and click the “Recycle Bin” icon at the top right.

Step 2. Please choose your desired file from several listed deleted files.

Step 3. Click “Restore” to get your chosen file back.

Fix 4. Recover deleted SharePoint files via document recovery software

But some users are bothered by how SharePoint can recover deleted files not in Recycle Bin.

As long as you’ve synced/saved your desired SharePoint files to your local hard drives, even after permanent deletion, regular backups or leading document recovery software can help you out.

Since non-tech users won’t take the initiative to learn about Windows features, let alone use Windows backup software to create regular backups. Naturally, there’s no way to restore files from backups in Windows 10, or 11.

Thus, using one of the best Windows data recovery software like MyRecover seems as your top choice. Because MyRecover can help you reduce uncertainty and increases the likelihood of recovering your permanently deleted downloaded SharePoint files.   

★Highlights of MyRecover::   

Powerful features: Recover deleted & lost MS Office files, folders, compressed files, photos, songs, videos, audio, websites, and 200+ file types from HDD, USB, SD cards, etc.

Easy-to-find: During Quick Scan and Deep Scan, you can search your desired files by Path, Filename, Date, Size, etc.

Convenient: Retain the original Path, Filename, and Format for the deleted files.   

Excellent compatibility: Support NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, and ReFS file systems.

Don’t hesitate to install MyRecover on your Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, or Windows Server PC now!

Step 1. Launch MyRecover and hover the mouse over the partition that stores your desired SharePoint files before deletion. Then click Scan.

Step 2. Filter your wanted SharePoint files according to Name, Date, Document Type, or Path. Or type file names in the search bar to locate your deleted SharePoint files.

Step 3. Go to the Deleted Files/Recycle Bin/Other Missing Files folder and select the deleted SharePoint files you want. Then click the “Recover x files” button.

• After the document recovery process, remember to save these retrieved SharePoint files in a new location.
• If you need, it’s time for you to consider upgrading MyRecover to the Professional or Technician edition to recover large-scale deleted & missing files.

Related Q&A about automatically deleted files & data loss prevention tips

If your SharePoint deleting files automatically, you can get potential reasons and several fixes from the above content to address this issue. Apart from that, there’re some related tips about automatically deleted files.