The three ways to delete on OneDrive

You can delete a file or folder from OneDrive in three ways: through the web browser, through the Windows File Explorer or Mac Finder, or through the OneDrive mobile app. The web browser is the most straightforward — you right-click the file, select delete, and it moves to the recycle bin. If you delete through File Explorer or Finder, the file goes to your computer's recycle bin first, not OneDrive's. The mobile app works the same way as the web version: tap and hold the file, then select delete.

Deleted files don't disappear when ready. They sit in OneDrive's recycle bin for 93 days before being permanently removed. During that time, you can restore them. After 93 days, OneDrive deletes them permanently and you cannot get them back.

Key Takeaways

  • Files deleted through the OneDrive website go to OneDrive's recycle bin, where they stay for 93 days before permanent deletion.
  • Files deleted through Windows File Explorer or Mac Finder go to your computer's recycle bin first, giving you a second chance to recover them before they leave your device.
  • You can restore a deleted file from OneDrive's recycle bin by opening it, selecting the file, and choosing restore.
  • Permanently deleting a file from OneDrive's recycle bin removes it for good — there is no recovery after that step.

Deleting files through the OneDrive website

Open OneDrive in your web browser and navigate to the folder containing the file you want to delete. Right-click the file name and select Delete from the menu. The file moves to your recycle bin when ready. You will see a confirmation message at the bottom of the screen.

If you want to delete multiple files at once, click the checkbox next to each file name to select them, then click the trash icon at the top of the page. All selected files move to the recycle bin together.

Deleting files through File Explorer or Finder

If you have OneDrive syncing to your computer, you can delete files directly from File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac). Open the folder where your OneDrive files are stored — usually called "OneDrive" in your user directory. Right-click the file and select Delete. The file goes to your computer's recycle bin, not OneDrive's recycle bin.

This matters because your computer's recycle bin has its own timeline. Windows typically empties the recycle bin after 30 days, though you can change this setting. Mac's Trash empties after 30 days as well. If you delete a file through File Explorer or Finder and then empty your computer's recycle bin, the file is gone from your device — but it may still exist in OneDrive's recycle bin for the full 93 days.

Deleting files through the OneDrive mobile app

Open the OneDrive app on your phone or tablet and navigate to the file you want to delete. Tap and hold the file name until a menu appears. Select Delete. The file moves to your recycle bin on OneDrive, not your phone's storage.

The mobile app works the same way whether you use iOS or Android. The file stays in OneDrive's recycle bin for 93 days, and you can restore it during that time through the app.

How to restore a deleted file

Open OneDrive in your web browser and look for the Recycle bin link in the left sidebar. Click it to see all files you have deleted in the past 93 days. Find the file you want to restore, right-click it, and select Restore. The file returns to its original folder.

If you deleted a file from a folder that no longer exists, OneDrive restores the file to the root of your OneDrive instead. You can then move it to a new location. If you restore a file with the same name as a file already in that folder, OneDrive adds a number to the file name — for example, "Document (2).docx".

Permanently deleting a file from the recycle bin

If you want to remove a file permanently before the 93 days are up, open the recycle bin, right-click the file, and select Delete permanently. The file is removed when ready and cannot be restored. Use this option only when you are certain you will never need the file again.

You can also empty the entire recycle bin at once by clicking Empty recycle bin at the top of the page. This permanently deletes all files in the bin, so make sure you have reviewed them first.

What happens to shared files when you delete them

If you delete a file that you have shared with other people, those people can no longer open it. The file disappears from their view when ready, even though it is still in your recycle bin. If you restore the file within 93 days, it becomes visible to them again.

If someone else shared a file with you and then deleted it, you cannot restore it — only the person who owns the file can access the recycle bin. The file disappears from your OneDrive as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I recover a file after it has been permanently deleted?

No. Once you select Delete permanently or the 93-day recycle bin period expires, the file is gone for good. OneDrive does not maintain backups of permanently deleted files. If the file was important, check with anyone you shared it with to see if they have a copy.

Does deleting a file on my computer delete it from OneDrive?

Not always. If you delete a file through File Explorer or Finder, it goes to your computer's recycle bin first. The file remains in OneDrive until you empty your computer's recycle bin or until OneDrive syncs the deletion. If you delete through the OneDrive website, it goes straight to OneDrive's recycle bin.

What if I delete a file by accident?

Open OneDrive's recycle bin within 93 days and restore the file. It returns to its original folder. If you deleted it more than 93 days ago, it cannot be recovered. For important files, consider keeping older versions or backups in a separate location.

Can I delete a file that someone else shared with me?

No. You can remove it from your view by clicking the three dots next to the file and selecting Remove, but this only removes your access — it does not delete the file from the owner's OneDrive. The owner can still see and restore it.

How do I delete an entire folder and everything in it?

Right-click the folder name and select Delete. All files and subfolders inside move to the recycle bin together. You can restore the entire folder at once, or restore individual files from inside it. The 93-day recovery period applies to the whole folder.