Missing files from OneDrive Documents on macOS following OneDrive reinstallation and an unexpected ~69,000-file deletion/movement notification.

Bhagat, Akhil 0 Reputation points
2026-11-05T07:28:57.0533333+00:00

The user experienced a low disk space issue on macOS, with approximately 800 GB reported under System Data. During troubleshooting, system/cache files were cleaned, and OneDrive was reinstalled because synchronization had been intermittent for over a month.

The user had been saving files in the OneDrive Documents folder, but some recent files may not have completed synchronization to OneDrive Online before the reinstallation.

After OneDrive was reinstalled, the user received an unexpected notification indicating that approximately 69,000 files had been deleted or moved from OneDrive, although the user confirmed that no such action was intentionally performed. The Restore option was selected.

OneDrive now reports that synchronization and backup are complete, and files available in OneDrive Online are being downloaded. However, several recent and older files from the Documents folder remain missing.

Microsoft 365 and Office | OneDrive | For business | MacOS
0 comments

2 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Daniel-Vo 7,980 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-11-05T08:38:04.6066667+00:00

    Hello,

    I'm sorry to hear this happened. I understand how concerning it can be to see a notification indicating that approximately 69,000 files were deleted or moved, especially when some files are now missing after the OneDrive reinstallation.

    To help determine whether this is a synchronization issue, a folder relinking issue, or potential data loss, could you please confirm the following:

    • As the thread is under Business category, can you confirm if this is a personal OneDrive account or a OneDrive for Business account?
    • Are the missing files only recent files created before the reinstallation, or are older files missing as well?
    • Did the restore operation complete successfully after the notification indicating approximately 69,000 files were deleted or moved?
    • Could you also check the Mac Trash and let me know if any of the missing files are present there?
    • Before the issue occurred, were you able to see any of the missing files in OneDrive on the web?
    • When checking OneDrive on the web, did you check the Recycle Bin, or (for business accounts) the Second-Stage Recycle Bin?

    In the meantime, I recommend checking as many of the following locations as possible:

    • OneDrive on the web, including the Recycle Bin and  Second-Stage Recycle Bin for business account.
    • The current macOS sync location under: ~/Library/CloudStorage/
    • Any older or duplicate OneDrive folders that may still exist on the Mac.
    • Finder search across the entire Mac using the names of several missing files.
    • The Mac Trash and any available backups, such as Time Machine.

    If you have not already done so, you may also want to try restoring your entire OneDrive to a point before the deletion event using the Restore your OneDrive feature from the OneDrive web portal. This can sometimes help if a large deletion or move operation was synced unexpectedly.  

    • Go to OneDrive Web and sign in with your account.  
    • Select the gear icon (Settings) > Reset your OneDrive. 

    User's image

    • Under Select a date, choose Yesterday or any date you want.

    User's image

    • Scroll down to see the changes on OneDrive and see if there is the version you want to restore > if so, click Restore.

    User's image

    For your reference: Restore your OneDrive | Microsoft Support 

    Please share the results of these checks and the information requested above, and I'll help determine the most appropriate next steps.

    Kind Regards.

    Was this answer helpful?

  2. AI answer

    2026-11-05T07:29:24.94+00:00

    Start with the locations most likely to still contain the missing files before making any more cleanup changes.

    1. Check OneDrive on the web first.
      This is the recommended starting point for missing files because it is the central copy that devices sync with. Confirm whether the missing Documents files exist online.
    2. Check the current local OneDrive path on macOS.
      On macOS 12.1 and later, the OneDrive folder location moved to: Library > Cloud Storage > OneDrive
      Older shortcuts or aliases may still exist in the previous location, so recent files may appear missing if Finder or Office is pointing to the old path.
    3. Search local storage outside OneDrive.
      Because some files may not have finished syncing before the reinstall, search in Finder across the Mac, not only inside OneDrive. Also check Trash. This is especially important for files that were saved locally in the OneDrive Documents folder but never reached OneDrive Online.
    4. Re-link the existing OneDrive folder if prompted.
      Open OneDrive with Spotlight. If prompted that a folder already exists, select Use this folder so the client reconnects to the existing local folder instead of creating a different location. After sign-in, OneDrive syncs files back to the Mac, though placeholders may appear first and full download can take time.
    5. If the reinstall left behind multiple OneDrive folders, verify before removing anything.
      A leftover folder can contain files that are no longer part of the active sync location. Compare any older or duplicate OneDrive folders with the active folder and with OneDrive on the web. Do not delete any leftover folder until it is confirmed that it contains no unique files.
    6. If the issue matches a Files On-Demand migration problem, reset OneDrive.
      If OneDrive shows the error “A required system component is unavailable on this version of macOS”, the documented fix is a reset.

    Warning: Resetting OneDrive removes all local content. Anything not synced to the cloud may be lost.

    Reset steps:

    • Open Finder and go to Applications.
    • Right-click OneDrive and select Show Package Contents.
    • Open Contents > Resources.
    • Run ResetOneDriveAppStandalone.command.
      Depending on the version, the file may be ResetOneDriveApp.command.
    • Launch OneDrive and set it up again.
    1. If AutoSave or recent Office files are involved, re-save to the new OneDrive location.
      Because the OneDrive path changed on macOS, Office AutoSave can stop working until files are saved again into the new OneDrive folder using File > Save As.
    2. If the files are still missing after these checks, use the correct support path for the account type.
      For a work or school account, contact the organization’s IT helpdesk or admin. For a personal account, use Contact Microsoft Support from the support flow.

    Given the reported reinstall, intermittent sync, and the large delete-or-move notification, the highest-value recovery checks are:

    • OneDrive on the web
    • Library > Cloud Storage > OneDrive
    • Finder search across the whole Mac
    • any duplicate or leftover OneDrive folders
    • Trash
    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

    Was this answer helpful?

Your answer

Answers can be marked as 'Accepted' by the question author and 'Recommended' by moderators, which helps users know the answer solved the author's problem.