OneDrive is a cloud storage service offered by Microsoft. It allows you to store your files online and access them from anywhere. OneDrive also includes a recycle bin, which can be used to restore deleted files. In this article, we will show you how to access the OneDrive recycle bin and restore deleted files.
If you are a new user of OneDrive and have very little knowledge about all its functions, we might be able to help you out with everything, as we are aware that OneDrive offers only 5GB of free storage.
Although 5 Gb storage is not less, there will be a time when this storage space will run out. At that time, in the haste of cleaning, you can delete some files which are important to you. All the deleted files are sent to Recycle Bin, which can be retrieved if needed.
Therefore, we will explain where OneDrive’s recycling bin is and how to access it.
What is OneDrive’s policy for retaining Data?
You will be surprised to know that OneDrive Recycle Bin works as temporary extra storage on top of your subscribed storage plan. It stores your deleted data for 30 days in the recycle bin, but the minimum limit is three days. The variable in duration is due to the amount of deleted data exceeding 10 % of your total storage limit within the recycling bin.
There is a cap on the upper storage limit within the recycling bin. It can store only 10 % of your total storage space. If this policy violet means your deleted data is much more than 10 % of the storage, then the duration of your data in the recycle bin is reduced. Otherwise, all the data deleted from OneDrive remains for 30 days in the recycle bin.
This policy is different for work or business accounts. Here, data will remain for 93 days after being removed from OneDrive. It will follow when your administrator still needs to change his OneDrive setting.
Recycle bin policy in OneDrive is a useful feature because once you delete files from OneDrive, they no longer take up space in your storage. In short, they do not count against OneDrive storage.
Read How to Delete All Photos from OneDrive
Where is the Recycle Bin in OneDrive on your PC?
OneDrive in Windows and Mac does not have any special folder for the recycle bin that you can access when you delete files that are in sync with OneDrive. It goes to the recycle bin found in your computer so that you can access the recycle bin from your PC.
However, suppose you have deleted the file or folder, even from the recycle bin folder from your computer, and want to access the deleted files. In that case, it is certainly possible by using OneDrive in the web browser.
You are required to go to the OneDrive website and login into your Microsoft OneDrive account. When OneDrive completes loading all your files, go to the recycle bin option on the left panel. If you can not locate it, click on the burger menu, and now it is visible.
On Opening the recycle bin, you will get all the files and folders deleted within the recycle bin limit period (30 or 93 days) according to your account.
Read How to Sync Documents to OneDrive
How to Access OneDrive Recycle Bin on Android?
In Android smartphones or tablets, accessing recycle bins is a little different but, at the same time, far easier.
Here is what you can do to access the recycle bin on your android device.
- Sign in to your OneDrive account
- Choose the ‘Me’ option at the bottom, and select recycle bin.
That is, now you have all the deleted file access.
How to Access OneDrive Recycle Bin on iOS?
On an iPhone or iPad, accessing OneDrive is mostly similar to Android.
- Here, you first need to log in to your OneDrive account
- Select the initial of the account from the top left corner.
- You can see the Recycle Bin on the screen below.
- Tap on it to access all deleted files and folders for a duration of 30 days.
Read How to Send A OneDrive Link to Different People
How to Recover Deleted Files OneDrive Recycle Bin in PC
We have already discussed how to access the recycle bin. Now it is time for the main part, how to restore files from the recycle bin. Before going through the procedure, you must remember that the files deleted from the Personal vault will only appear in the recycle bin if the vault is unlocked. Here is the following procedure
- Login to your Microsoft OneDrive Account.
- Select Recycle Bin from the left menu.
- It will show all the deleted files from OneDrive. You need to select the file you want to restore.
- Select ’Restore’ in the menu bar
- You can recover all deleted files using the Restoring all item button.
How to Recover OneDrive Deleted files on Android
If you want to recover deleted OneDrive files in Android, go to the recycle bin as previously mentioned, then select the targeted file you want to recover the select restore from the top of the OneDrive app. It will recover the file in real-time.
How to Recover Files from OneDrive recycle bin on Mac
You can recover the deleted file by accessing the recycle bin of OneDrive and selecting the targeted file by tapping their name and pressing the Recover icon on the top right corner of OneDrive. Now your files are recovered.
Read How to Stop Sharing Files on OneDrive
Frequently Asked Questions
OneDrive is a cloud service for storage and synchronization, while OneDrive for business offers more than storage, like editing and creating.
You can share any file in OneDrive. Simply choose the Share option as seen on the screen, and from here, you can either copy the link or enter the email address of the person you want to share it with.
Conclusion:
Here is all you need to know on how to access OneDrive recycle bin on your system. Whether you are using Windows PC or macOS, everything is pretty straightforward. Simply follow the steps we have mentioned in the guide above, and you are good to go.
The best part of a recycle bin on OneDrive is that you can recover the files you might have accidentally deleted. Although there is a time limit to when you can access these files, this is the best way to go with.
You may like the following onedrive tutorials:
- How to Backup OneDrive to an External Drive
- How to Check OneDrive Space
- Transfer Everything from Dropbox to OneDrive
- How to Share a Document on OneDrive
- How to Add OneDrive to File Explorer
Robert is a tech expert (with more than 10 years of experience in using mac os and iPhone) who loves to help others learn about the Mac operating system and iPhone. He provides helpful tutorials on how to use Mac OS, tips and tricks for getting the most out of your Mac operating system, iPhone tips and tricks, and more. He’s always up for a challenge and enjoys learning new things about his favorite OS. When he’s not helping people get the most out of their technology, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two cats. Check out more.