How to Recover Documents in OneDrive, Teams, or SharePoint

Questions

  • How can I recover a deleted document in OneDrive?
  • How can I recover a deleted document in Microsoft Teams?
  • How can I recover a deleted document in SharePoint?
  • Where is the Recycle Bin in OneDrive, Teams, or SharePoint?
  • What should I do if I can't find a document I need?
  • How long do deleted files stay before they're permanently removed?

Environment

This article applies to Bowdoin faculty, staff, and students who have accidentally deleted a document, or cannot find a document, in OneDrive, Microsoft Teams, or SharePoint.

Resolution

Recover a document in OneDrive

  1. Open OneDrive in your web browser and select Recycle bin on the left.
  2. Look through the list of deleted files to find the document you want to recover.
  3. Select the checkbox next to the document, then select Restore at the top of the page. The document returns to its original location.

Recover a document in Microsoft Teams

  1. Open Teams, go to the channel where the document was stored, and select the Files tab.
  2. Select Open in SharePoint to view the document library in SharePoint.
  3. In SharePoint, select Recycle bin in the left menu.
  4. Find the deleted document, select it, and select Restore.

Recover a document in SharePoint

  1. Open the SharePoint site where the document was stored and select Recycle bin in the left menu.
  2. Browse the list of deleted files to locate the document you need.
  3. Select the checkbox next to the document, then select Restore at the top of the page. The document returns to its original location.
Can't find the document? It may be in the second-stage Recycle Bin. In OneDrive, scroll to the bottom of the Recycle Bin and select Second-stage recycle bin. In SharePoint, select Second-stage recycle bin at the bottom of the Recycle Bin page.
Important: Items in OneDrive, Teams, and SharePoint have a total retention period of 93 days across the Recycle Bin and second-stage Recycle Bin. After 93 days, items are permanently deleted and cannot be recovered.

Additional Help

If you need further assistance, you have several options:

  • Bowdoin Bot: Chat with Bowdoin Bot directly from any KB page for instant answers.
  • Phone: Call the Bowdoin College Service Desk at (207) 725-3030.
  • In person: Visit the Tech Hub in Smith Union during business hours.
  • Submit a ticket: Request assistance through the Service Catalog.
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