Restoring deleted files

Question

Restoring deleted files

Nicola Urquhart 0

I did not realize microsoft could remotely delete files that were saved onto my own computer- now I know. I deleted files from onedrive in order to use my email (storage was full but I don't use onedrive, it was just automatically taking all my stuff). It deleted all the files off my computer too. I have spent literally all day trying to fix this. The files are not in the recycling bin either on my computer or onedrive. I paid for 365 membership so that I could 'restore onedrive' to yesterday. I've done it numerous times now because everytime, it does something different. It brings back a few files randomly (like 1 from yesterday, 4 from 2020, and that's it). The last time I did it, it brought back all the files (thank zeus) but ONLY to the 'home' page on onedrive and they still won't open. If I search for them, they don't exist. When I try to open them, it gives an error message. But at least I can see them now- that's something I guess. How do I get them back???? Pleaseeee.

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3 answers

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Answer 1

Stefan Blom 357.3K MVP Volunteer Moderator

By default, the OneDrive storage synchronizes with files on your PC, which means that deleting in one location will delete in the other location as well (see https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/onedrive/sync-your-computer-s-files-and-folders-with-onedrive).

As you know, there is an option to restore the entire OneDrive storage, but it is connected to a Microsoft 365 subscription (see https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/onedrive/restore-your-onedrive), so if you didn't have the subscription from the start, you won't be able to restore what was lost before you got the subscription.

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Answer 2

Hendrix-V 20,800 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hi Nicola Urquhart,

I’m sorry you’re dealing with this, especially after spending so much time on recovery.

Since the OneDrive recovery options have already been tried, the next practical option is local file recovery, provided the files had previously been downloaded to the PC:

Minimize use of the affected drive.
Do not install recovery software onto that same drive.
Scan the drive with a reputable file-recovery tool and save recovered files to a different drive.

If the files are especially important, a professional data-recovery service may be safer.

I hope you’re able to recover at least some of the missing files.

Nicola Urquhart 0 Reputation points

2026-11-07T12:55:56.9+00:00

I contacted two different computer fixer guys and they both said there's almost no chance they can be recovered because (1) this is a known horror that onedrive creates and (2) I used the computer all day trying to get it back. Of course I could give them $150 to try to fix it but they were honest about the prospects. I would much rather fork over $150 to someone at microsoft to just give me my files back. Obviously if they have the power to remotely delete all of my files from my own computer without my permission, they also have the power to give them back. I'll paypal some random onedrive employee whatever price they name if they'll give me my files back. The problem with this plan is there appears to be no possible way to get a human who works at microsoft/onedrive to provide support. (But hey if you do, feel free to email me your price to give me back my files- and then just do it- thanks!!)
Hendrix-V 20,800 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-11-08T04:04:54.6366667+00:00
Hi Nicola Urquhart,

I understand how concerning this is. Since the files are now shown on OneDrive Home but cannot actually be located or opened, I would avoid making further restore attempts for the moment.

If you have another drive available and the files were once stored locally, you could attempt local file recovery, making sure any recovered data is saved to the other drive.

If the files only ever existed as online-only OneDrive files, however, local recovery software would not have a local copy to recover.

I hope this helps clarify the remaining option and gives you the best chance of recovering your data.
Nicola Urquhart 0 Reputation points

2026-11-08T15:08:32.14+00:00

Say I had committed crimes and stored evidence of my crimes on onedrive. But then I found out the cops were after me, so I deleted all the files. The police contact onedrive with a warrant for all of my deleted files. Are you telling me that onedrive would have no way of retrieving the files to give to them??? Seems like this service was designed for criminals.

I believe I don't have the files anymore. What I don't believe is that they POOF disappeared like they never existed. And part of why I don't believe it (in addition to the obvious nonsensical nature of that idea) is that every time I 'restored' my onedrive, it gave me back different random files. If the files no longer exist, WHERE did those files come from?

...Where they're stored by onedrive, that's where. The same place onedrive would get them from if the police requested them. Part of what is so infuriating about this situation is the blatant lying. The files exist but onedrive doesn't want to go to the effort of returning them because they don't deem me important enough to spend that time on. So say that. Not lie that they don't exist. If onedrive could hand them over the cops, they could also hand them over to me. They're choosing not to.

Answer 3

For a personal OneDrive account, the supported recovery paths are limited to these steps:

Check whether the files are in the correct account.
- Sign out of OneDrive and sign in again.
- If another Microsoft account was ever used on the device, check that account too.
Search on OneDrive.com.
- Sign in to the OneDrive website.
- Use Search everything at the top.
- Search by filename, partial name, dates, tags, or descriptions.
- If the files were in Personal Vault, they will not appear in search results. In the recycle bin, use Show Personal Vault items.
Check the OneDrive recycle bin again.
- On the left side of the OneDrive website, select Recycle bin.
- If items are found, select them and choose Restore.
- For personal accounts, deleted items can be restored within the last 30 days.
- Files cannot be restored after they have been permanently deleted from the OneDrive recycle bin.
Check the local device.
- Use File Explorer to search the PC.
- Check the Windows Recycle Bin.
- Note: files deleted from the cloud, including online-only files, do not appear in the computer Recycle Bin or Trash.
Use Restore your OneDrive only as a full rollback.
- This feature is available to Microsoft 365 subscribers.
- In OneDrive on the web, go to Settings > Restore your OneDrive.
- Choose a date or Custom date and time.
- Review the activity chart and activity feed, then restore.
- This can undo actions from the last 30 days.
- Important: files or folders created after the restore point are moved to the OneDrive Recycle Bin.
If files appear on the OneDrive Home page but do not open, first confirm whether they can be found through Search everything or in the expected OneDrive location after the restore. The documented recovery options are search, recycle bin restore, full OneDrive restore, checking another account, and checking local storage.
If the files are not found through search, are not in the recycle bin, and are still not usable after restore attempts, there is no additional supported recovery path for personal accounts beyond those built-in options. Support agents are not allowed to access the files and cannot provide more help than the published guidance.

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