Summary
When you delete items from a document library or list in Microsoft OneDrive, Teams or SharePoint, they aren't immediately removed. Deleted items go into the OneDrive or SharePoint site Recycle Bin for a period of time or until they are emptied from the recycle bin.
The OneDrive and SharePoint site recycle bins are not the same as the Windows recycle bin that you see on your desktop. Deleted items are retained in recycle bins for a certain period of time. For OneDrive and SharePoint, the retention period is 93 days. It begins when you delete the item from its original location. When you delete the item from the site recycle bin, it goes into the Second Stage Recycle bin. It stays there for the remainder of the 93 days, and then is permanently deleted and not recoverable.
Note - you can safely delete things from the recycle bin to free up space and leave them in 2nd stage until the clock runs out - the 2nd stage bin does not count toward your storage quota.
This article describes how to recover deleted items from OneDrive, Teams or SharePoint Online.
How-To
Task: To recover deleted items in OneDrive, Teams or SharePoint Online
For full instructions with screenshots, please visit this Microsoft article: Restore items in the recycle bin that were deleted from SharePoint or Teams
Instructions for OneDrive
Step 1 -
Navigate to OneDrive from Microsoft 365.
Step 2 -
Click Recycle Bin in the left navigation menu.
Step 3 -
Locate and select the file or folder you wish to recover.
Step 4 -
Click Restore from the toolbar at the top of the page.
Step 5 -
Verify that the file or folder has been restored to its original location in OneDrive.
NOTE - if you don't see what you're looking for, be sure to check the Second Stage Recycle bin (aka, site collection recycle bin) using the link at the very bottom of the Recycle Bin page.
If it is not present in the Second Stage recycle bin, it may have been permanently deleted or exceeded the retention period. USNH SharePoint administrators do not have any additional recovery options in these cases.
Instructions for Teams and SharePoint
Step 1: Navigate to the SharePoint site, or the Site associated with your Microsoft Team.
Step 2: Click the settings gear icon located at the very top of the page to the left of your name.
Step 3 - Click Site Contents
Step 4 - Click the Recycle Bin icon in upper right corner.
Step 5 - Select the item you wish to recover.
NOTE - if you don't see what you're looking for, be sure to check the Second Stage Recycle bin (aka, site collection recycle bin) using the link at the very bottom of the Recycle Bin page. If it is not present in the Second Stage recycle bin, it may have been permanently deleted or exceeded the retention period. USNH SharePoint administrators do not have any additional recovery options in these cases.
Step 5 - Click Restore Selection.
Outcome
The deleted items are recovered.
Further Readings
SharePoint: Deleting/Restoring a SharePoint Site
SharePoint/Teams: Restoring a Document Library
Restore items in the recycle bin that were deleted from SharePoint or Teams
Need additional help?
For assistance concerning site creation, content sharing, file synchronization, or other common SharePoint, OneDrive, Teams, or Office app activities, we recommend our Microsoft 365 Learning sites:
Learn more about the great tools our Microsoft 365 Learning sites offer!
Visit the Technology Help Desk Support page to locate your local campus contact information or to submit an online technology support request. For password issues you must call or visit the Help Desk in person.