Files have disappeared from one drive account. Folders are there but files are not

Hi @Shelley Edwards

I’m very sorry you’re dealing with this. Having most of your files disappear while the folder structure remains intact is extremely concerning, especially after you have already checked the Recycle Bin, Personal Vault, and the available activity history.

Since you have already completed the standard recovery checks, I would not recommend running a full OneDrive restore without first securing copies of any newer files. Restoring OneDrive to an earlier date rolls back changes made after the selected restore point, so your concern about recently created files is understandable.

Before contacting support, please note the names of several missing files, their original folder paths, approximately when you last opened them, and which devices were syncing with OneDrive. Screenshots showing the empty folders and the absence of corresponding deletion activity may also help.

If this is a personal OneDrive account, contact Microsoft Support through the Get Help app in Windows or the Microsoft Support contact page and request assistance with OneDrive missing files/data loss. Please be aware that forum moderators and support agents cannot directly open or inspect the contents of a personal OneDrive account, and recovery cannot be guaranteed, but they can confirm whether any further supported investigation is available.

If this is a work or school OneDrive account, please contact your organization’s IT administrator instead. They may be able to examine audit information, retention settings, and additional recovery options that are not available to an individual user.

For privacy, please do not post your email address, filenames containing personal information, or account details publicly in this thread. Thank you for your understanding

Your OneDrive files are located in the cloud and also in your computer's OneDrive folder at C:\Users\username\OneDrive. Unless folder backup is turned off, the Desktop, Documents, and Pictures folders also sync to OneDrive. Files that are deleted from these syncing folders go to the online recycle bin at onedrive.com. You have 30 days to restore the files before they are permanently deleted.

Have you noticed these files disappearing from your Desktop, Documents, or Pictures folders on your computer? I find it easier to monitor my OneDrive on my computer than in the cloud at onedrive.com.

And of course, you must keep your OneDrive subscription up to date, since free OneDrive only provides 5 GB of cloud storage.