SharePoint & Teams Collaboration
Finding and Restoring Files from the Recycle Bin
This guide shows you how to find and restore a file or folder that was deleted from a SharePoint site, using the site Recycle Bin.
Time needed
5 minutes
Platform
Microsoft 365
Guide steps
3 clear sections
Before you begin
You need at least Contribute permission on the SharePoint site where the file was deleted.
Follow along
Step-by-step guide
Open the SharePoint Recycle Bin
- Instruction 1: Go to the SharePoint site in your browser.
- Instruction 2: In the left-hand navigation, click Recycle bin. If you do not see it, scroll down in the left menu — it is usually near the bottom.
- Instruction 3: The Recycle Bin shows files and folders that have been deleted from the site in the past 93 days.
Action map
Open the SharePoint Recycle Bin
- 01
Go to the SharePoint site in your browser.
- 02
In the left-hand navigation, click Recycle bin. If you do not see it, scroll down in the…
- 03
The Recycle Bin shows files and folders that have been deleted from the site in the past…
Visual guide
Use this visual action map alongside the written instructions above.
Open SharePoint help & learning for Finding and Restoring Files from the Recycle BinRestore a deleted item
- Instruction 1: Find the file or folder you want to restore. Use the search bar or scroll to find it.
- Instruction 2: Tick the checkbox next to the item.
- Instruction 3: Click Restore at the top of the page.
- Instruction 4: The file is returned to its original location in the SharePoint library.
Check the Second-Stage Recycle Bin (if the item is not found)
- Instruction 1: If the item is not in the standard Recycle Bin, it may be in the Second-Stage Recycle Bin, which holds items deleted from the first Recycle Bin.
- Instruction 2: Site collection administrators can access this. Contact the helpdesk and ask them to check the Second-Stage Recycle Bin for the specific file name.
- Instruction 3: Items in the Second-Stage Recycle Bin are permanently deleted when the total reaches 200 items or after 93 days.
Quick fixes
Troubleshooting
The Recycle Bin is empty but I just deleted a file
The file may have been deleted by someone else and restored, or permanently purged by an administrator. Contact the helpdesk with as much detail as possible (file name, approximate date deleted, SharePoint site URL).
I cannot see the Recycle Bin link
Your permission level may be too low to see the Recycle Bin. Contact the site owner or helpdesk — a site owner or admin can restore the file on your behalf.
Still need a hand?
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