Unsynced my OneDrive and now files are missing on my laptop

Danielle 0 Reputation points
2026-09-28T17:33:47.2+00:00

A few weeks ago, I synced my laptop to my OneDrive. Yesterday, because of the persistent error messages and the inability to see image thumbnails in folders due to storage, I unsynced my OneDrive. Immediately after, my Documents folder disappeared from my C: drive, and now, even in my OneDrive folder, those files are gone.

I would appreciate any available help recovering my files.

Microsoft 365 and Office | OneDrive | Other | Windows
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  1. AI answer

    2026-09-28T17:34:09.2633333+00:00

    Try this recovery path in order:

    1. Search on the OneDrive website first
      • Sign in to https://www.onedrive.com.
      • Use Search everything at the top.
      • Search by more than the exact filename: try keywords, dates, tags, or folder names.
      • This is the best first check because it shows what actually exists in cloud storage.
    2. Check the OneDrive Recycle bin
      • On the left side of the OneDrive website, select Recycle bin.
      • If the missing files or folders are there, select them and choose Restore.
      • If any files were in Personal Vault, use Show Personal Vault items in the recycle bin.
    3. Check whether the files are in another Microsoft account
      • If more than one Microsoft account or a work/school account has been used on the laptop, sign out and sign back in with the other account.
      • Files may have been saved to a different OneDrive than expected.
    4. Search the laptop’s local storage
      • In File Explorer, search the PC for the missing files and folders.
      • Also check the PC Recycle Bin.
      • If the files were saved outside OneDrive or had not finished syncing before OneDrive was unsynced, they may still be on local storage.
    5. If many files disappeared at once, use Restore your OneDrive
      • If Microsoft 365 is available on the account, open Restore your OneDrive: https://onedrive.live.com/?v=restore
      • This can roll back file and folder changes from the last 30 days.
      • Caution: files or folders created after the restore point are moved to the OneDrive Recycle Bin.
    6. If the files still are not found
      • For personal accounts, deleted files can be restored only within 30 days.
      • For work or school accounts, deleted files can usually be restored within 93 days, unless the administrator changed retention.
      • If files are not found in search or in the OneDrive Recycle Bin, they usually cannot be retrieved.
      • For a work or school account, the IT administrator may be able to investigate further and will need the file or folder names, approximate last access time, and the device used.

    A related issue can also make File Explorer show incorrect sync state. If OneDrive showed Up to date but files or folders still looked like they were syncing, hidden or temporary files in the OneDrive folder or an incorrect Windows Search index can cause that. In that case:

    • Show hidden files and folders in File Explorer.
    • Remove hidden files and folders that are not associated with files currently being edited.
    • Search for temporary Office files, close open Office files, and clear the Office document cache.
    • Warning: manually deleting temporary Office files can cause data loss, so only delete files that are confirmed safe to remove.

    References:

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  3. EmilyS726 271.2K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-09-28T18:17:25.7866667+00:00

    This can happen if you had OneDrive OnDemand enabled, and you didn't turn the files into local physical copies first before you turn off OneDrive.

    In order for us to sort all of these out, it is necessary (just for now) to get OneDrive desktop app back up and running.

    To do so, go to your Start menu and see if you already have the OneDrive app installed. If so, go ahead and run it, sign in. If you don't have it installed, you will need to download it, install it back and then set it up. You can download it from here: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/onedrive/download

    Once you have the OneDrive app up and running again, please follow these steps closely:

    1. Right click on the OneDrive cloud icon on the lower right on your taskbar to go to Settings.
    2. On the "Sync and Backup" tab, click on "Advanced Settings" to expand that section. Then under File On-Demand, click on "Download all files".
    3. Give it plenty of time to allow the files to be downloaded from the online cloud. On your computer's file explorer, you can observe the OneDrive folder and its folders/files inside. You want all of the green checkmark icon to turn solid green with a white checkmark. Depends on how many files you have, this process can take a while, so please be patient.
    4. Once all of the folders and files turn into the solid green icon with white checkmark, you can go back to OneDrive Settings. Very important - click on "Manage Backup" button, then turn off all folders listed there.
    5. After you turn off the folders sync in Step 4, now go to Account tab, click on "Unlink this PC"
    6. Go to your Windows Settings > Apps, find OneDrive and uninstall it.

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