One Note delete

Delete each notebook from OneDrive, then close it in OneNote on both the laptop and iPad so obsolete entries do not remain or produce synchronization errors.

Warning: Deleting a notebook removes all its sections, pages, notes, images, files, and attachments. Copy anything needed before proceeding. ^1^

Delete the notebook at its source

Repeat these steps for each unwanted notebook:

1. In a browser, open OneDrive and sign in with the same Microsoft account used by OneNote.
2. Open My files > Documents.
   • Look for a Notebooks or OneNote Notebooks folder.
   • If the notebook was saved elsewhere, navigate to that folder.
3. Select the circle beside the notebook without opening it.
4. Choose Manage > Delete, or Delete on the OneDrive toolbar. This deletes the cloud copy used by your synchronized devices. ^2^

Do not merely delete the individual pages or close the notebook: closing only removes it from the app’s list; it does not delete the notebook or its contents.

Remove the old entry from both devices

After deleting it from OneDrive:

• Windows laptop: Open OneNote, right-click the deleted notebook’s name, and select Close This Notebook. This prevents OneNote from continuing to synchronize with a notebook that no longer exists. ^2^
• iPad: In OneNote, tap Show Notebooks, press and hold the notebook, tap the Close Notebook icon at the bottom, and select Close. ^1^

Repeat this closing step on any other device where the notebook remains listed.

Permanently erase it immediately

Deleting from OneDrive initially moves the notebook to the OneDrive Recycle bin. If recovery is not needed:

1. In OneDrive, open Recycle bin.
2. Select the deleted notebooks.
3. Choose Delete or Empty recycle bin.
4. Confirm the permanent deletion.

If there is any possibility that the notebooks may be needed later, leave them in the Recycle bin until certain.

If Delete is unavailable

Make sure the notebook is selected from My files > Documents rather than from Recent or Shared. If it belongs to someone else and appears under Shared, only its owner can delete the original; remove it from the shared list or ask the owner to delete it.

References

1. Delete pages, sections, or notebooks in OneNote for iPad or iPhone | Microsoft Support
2. Delete a notebook from OneDrive | Microsoft Support