OneDrive Deleted: How to Restore Someone’s OneDrive Account

Last Updated on October 20, 2023

Need files from a deleted OneDrive account?

In this guide, you will learn the steps to restoring a deleted OneDrive account, and how it differs from merely deleting files and folders.

Let’s get started.

Table of Contents:

Understanding OneDrive Deletion
Difference between account deletion and file deletion
Steps to restore deleted OneDrive account
- Accounts deleted within 30 days
- Accounts deleted past the 30 days period
How to restore deleted files in OneDrive
Preventing accidental deletion in OneDrive

Understanding OneDrive Deletion

Did your organization delete a user recently? The good news here is that not all is lost, yet.

When you remove a user from the Microsoft 365 admin center or through Active Directory synchronization, their OneDrive will be kept for a specific number of days.

By default, this period is set to 30 days. During this time, other users can still access shared content.
But afterward, the user’s OneDrive will be in a deleted state for 93 days and can only be restored by a global or SharePoint admin.

It’s a little similar to the two-stage recycle bins in SharePoint, though deleted items in SharePoint stay for 93 days in the first stage.

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Difference between account deletion and file deletion

Understanding the difference between account deletion and file deletion is crucial for effectively managing your OneDrive.

Let’s explore these concepts in detail:

Account Deletion: When we talk about account deletion, it refers to removing the entire OneDrive account, including the files, account credentials, settings, and associated data. It’s like erasing the user’s presence from OneDrive.
File Deletion: On the other hand, file deletion refers to the removal of specific files or folders within the OneDrive account. This can be intentional or accidental. The good news is that OneDrive provides built-in features to help you recover deleted files.

By understanding these distinctions, you can effectively manage your OneDrive account and ensure the safety and security of your files.

Steps to restore deleted OneDrive account

Restoring the OneDrive account will also mean restoring the user’s Microsoft account.

So the method of restoration varies:

When the deletion is still within 30 days
When the user no longer appears in the Microsoft 365 admin center

Accounts deleted within 30 days

When a user is recently deleted, his/her account appears on the deleted users page in the Microsoft 365 admin center.

On any Microsoft 365 page, click the app drawer and then click the admin button:

Go to the admin center from Microsoft 365

You will then arrive at the home page of the admin center.

What you need to do now is to expand the users menu on the left panel and select the deleted users option:

The next page will contain all the users deleted within the last 30 days.

Select the user and then click the restore user button:

It will then ask you if you want to auto-generate the password for the user or create the password yourself.

Once the account is restored, the associated OneDrive will also be restored — allowing you to copy the files and folders you need.

Accounts deleted past the 30 days period

Users that are deleted for more than 30 days will no longer appear on the deleted users page in the Microsoft 365 admin center.

If you want to restore a deleted account and its associated OneDrive, you will have to use PowerShell.

In case you know the URL of the OneDrive you want to restore, you can run the following command directly:

Get-SPODeletedSite -Identity <URL>

A clue here is that the URL is based on the username, so you can have a few tries yourself.

If you can’t figure out the URL, you can use the following command:

Get-SPODeletedSite -IncludeOnlyPersonalSite | FT url

This will list out all the deleted OneDrive accounts that are still in the 93 days grace period.

Note: Only the accounts in the list can be restored.

To restore the OneDrive, all you have to do is run the following command:

Restore-SPODeletedSite -Identity <URL>

Once the account is back, you can then access the files and folders and copy them to another account.

How to restore deleted files in OneDrive

Did you accidentally delete files from OneDrive?

The bright side here though is that it’s much easier to recover files deleted in OneDrive than the whole account itself.

All you have to do is go to the OneDrive recycle bin:

You will see all the recently deleted OneDrive files.

To restore the deleted files, select all of them and then click the OneDrive folder restore button:

If you can’t see the files here, there is a second-stage recycle bin option or link below the page where you can do the same thing.

If you were using your computer while deleting some files, you can check your computer’s recycle bin and restore the files from there.

Preventing accidental deletion in OneDrive

Accidental deletion of files or even your entire OneDrive account can be a distressing experience.

But don’t worry, there are several strategies you can employ to prevent such mishaps. Here’s how you can safeguard your data:

Regular backups: One of the most effective ways to prevent data loss is by regularly backing up your files. You can do this manually or set up automatic backups using OneDrive’s built-in features. This way, even if you accidentally delete a file, you will have a backup ready to restore.
Use file versioning: OneDrive automatically keeps versions of your files for 30 days. This means if you accidentally delete or overwrite a file, you can restore it to an earlier version.
Enable two-factor authentication: To prevent unauthorized access and potential deletion of your account, enable two-factor authentication. This adds an extra layer of security, requiring a second form of identification beyond just your password.
Regularly update your account information: Keep your account information, including your recovery email and phone number, up to date. This will help you regain access to your account if you ever lose your login credentials.
Understand how OneDrive works: Take some time to familiarize yourself with the OneDrive interface and its features. Knowing how to properly delete, restore, and manage your files can prevent accidental deletions.
Be careful with shared files and folders: If you’re sharing files or folders with others, be aware that they may have the ability to delete shared content. Make sure to set appropriate permissions and only share with trusted individuals.

Remember that prevention is always better than cure, especially when it comes to protecting your valuable data.

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