Recover a deleted OneDrive file from an ex-employee
Default 30 days user recycle bin, then second-stage recycle bin up to 93 days total from deletion. After that permanently gone unless retention policy is set.
Try this first
- 1Check the user recycle bin (first 30 days)
- 2If gone: second-stage site recycle bin (remaining time up to day 93 total)
- 3On expired account: site restore via admin portal within 93 days
- 4After that only via third-party backup
When to bring us in
At 90+ days old without external backup
See also
- We have backups but we do not know if they workA backup that cannot be restored is not a backup. Testing matters as much as taking the backup.
- Suspected ransomware: what to do RIGHT NOWThe first 30 minutes are critical. One wrong move spreads the damage. Read before acting.
- Someone accidentally deleted an important folderUsually fine to recover. The trick: do not save anything new on that drive until you know how.
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