Help me find lost or missing files in OneDrive

Paras Sanket 5 Reputation points
2026-09-11T01:11:18.07+00:00

Please help Help me find lost or missing files in OneDrive

Help me find lost or missing files in OneDrive

Help me find lost or missing files in OneDrive

Microsoft 365 and Office | OneDrive | For home | MacOS
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  1. Xavier-D 13,660 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-09-12T06:06:33.65+00:00

    Hello Paras Sanket

    Since AI assist already covers the main search and recovery options. To narrow down what happened, could you provide the following details?

    • Are all files missing, or only files from one particular folder?
    • Do the files appear on the OneDrive website but not in Finder, or are they missing from both locations?
    • Were these your own files, or files and folders that someone else shared with you?
    • Approximately when did you last see them, and did you recently update macOS, reinstall OneDrive, change accounts, or move the OneDrive folder?
    • Does the OneDrive cloud icon show any sync error, paused status, or storage warning?

    A few additional points may apply:

    • If the missing content was shared with you, ask the owner to confirm that the original file or folder still exists and that you still have permission. A shared item will no longer be available to you if its owner deletes it.
    • On macOS 12.1 or later, browse in Finder to Library > Cloud Storage > OneDrive. OneDrive’s local folder location changed, so an older alias, pinned item, or entry under Recents may point to the previous location.
    • If the file is still present but its contents were overwritten or changed, use Version history on the OneDrive website to check whether an earlier version can be restored.
    • If the files never appeared on the OneDrive website, they may not have completed uploading. Check the OneDrive cloud icon for sync errors and confirm that the account was not over its storage limit.

    Please do not reset, unlink, or reinstall OneDrive until you have checked for unsynced local files, because this could make recovery more difficult.

    Feel free reply back to this post if you need further assistance, I'll be happy to help.

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  2. AI answer

    2026-09-11T01:11:32.99+00:00

    Try these steps in order:

    1. Go to the OneDrive website at https://www.onedrive.com and sign in.
      • Use Search everything at the top.
      • Search by more than just the filename: try descriptions, tags, dates, or places.
      • If using mobile, use a Private or Incognito window so the app does not open instead.
    2. Check the Recycle bin on the left side of the OneDrive website.
      • If the file is there, select it and choose Restore.
      • On Mac, also check the local Trash.
    3. Check Personal Vault.
      • Files stored in Personal Vault do not appear in search results.
      • In the recycle bin, select Show Personal Vault items to unlock and view them if needed.
    4. Make sure the correct Microsoft account is being used.
      • If the file was saved while another account was signed in, sign out and sign in with that other account.
      • If both personal OneDrive and work/school OneDrive are used, the file may be in the other account.
    5. Look on the Mac itself.
      • Use Finder to search for the file.
      • If the file was saved outside OneDrive, or the Mac had not synced yet, it may still be stored locally.
      • Check the Mac Trash.
    6. If many files changed or disappeared recently and there is a Microsoft 365 subscription, use Restore your OneDrive.
      • This can restore the entire OneDrive to a previous point in time within the last 30 days.
      • Warning: files or folders created after the restore point are moved to the OneDrive Recycle Bin.
    7. If the files still are not found:
      • For personal accounts, support agents cannot access the files and cannot provide more help than the listed guidance.
      • Keep trying different filename spellings, descriptions, and locations.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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