This article will guide you through the process of accessing the OneDrive recycle bin. It covers how deleted files are managed within OneDrive, and how deleted items can be recovered.
What Is the OneDrive Recycle Bin?
When an item in OneDrive is deleted, it is sent to the recycle bin. The recycle bin allows for files to be removed from a OneDrive folder, but it also allows for deleted files to be restored. The OneDrive recycle bin actually has two stages: the first and second stage recycle bins.
First Stage Recycle Bin
The first stage recycle bin is the default location for any deleted files within OneDrive. Any files deleted from OneDrive will appear in the recycle bin.
Second Stage Recycle Bin
Any items deleted from the first stage recycle bin will be placed in the second stage recycle bin.
How Long Will Items in the Recycle Bin Be Retained?
Deleted items in OneDrive are retained for 93 days. This applies to both files within the first and second stage recycle bins. The second stage recycle bin can prevent a file from being completely deleted, but it will not extend the amount of time the file can be restored before permanent deletion. Any files in either recycle bin will be deleted after 93 days from the original deletion date.
Accessing the Recycle Bins
First Stage Recycle Bin
The recycle bin can be accessed from the left-hand side of the OneDrive website.
The second stage recycle bin can be accessed from the first stage recycle bin. By scrolling to the bottom of the first stage recycle bin, a second recycle bin link should appear.
Restoring Deleted Items
Deleted items can be restored from either the first stage or second stage recycle bins. Any restored items will be restored to the original location of the item before it was deleted. When restoring from the second-stage recycle bin a prompt will appear, asking to confirm the restoration. This does not occur when restoring from the first stage recycle bin.