Tried to recover files but only some of the files were recovered.

Helen Turkovich 0 Reputation points
2026-08-25T20:37:21.8633333+00:00

I accidentally delete OneDrive and all my files disappeared from both computers. I need to restore all the files. When I ran the 'restore files' command, only some files were recovered. I need help.

Microsoft 365 and Office | OneDrive | For home | Windows
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  1. Hendrix-V 18,055 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-08-26T04:25:37.02+00:00

    Hi Helen Turkovich,

    I understand how concerning it can be when files are still missing after running a recovery. Since some files were restored, it suggests that the recovery process was at least partially successful, but additional checks may be needed to locate the remaining data.

    Please try the following:

    1. Verify you're signed in with the correct Microsoft account - if you've ever used more than one Microsoft account, sign in to OneDrive on the web and confirm you're viewing the account that originally contained the missing files.
    2. Check if the missing files were stored in Personal Vault - open OneDrive on the web and review your Personal Vault, as files stored there may not appear alongside your regular folders.
    3. Review the OneDrive activity history - in OneDrive on the web, check your recent activity and confirm that the restore date selected was before the files disappeared.
    4. Confirm when the files were last available - OneDrive restoration is designed to recover changes within the available recovery window. Knowing approximately when the files went missing can help determine whether additional recovery options may still be available.

    If the missing files still cannot be found after these checks, I recommend contacting Microsoft Support for a more detailed review of your OneDrive account and recovery history.

    Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

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  2. AI answer

    2026-08-25T20:37:39.3733333+00:00
    1. Stop making changes in OneDrive on both computers for now. OneDrive syncs deletions and moves across devices, so continued activity can make recovery harder.
    2. Use OneDrive on the web as the source of truth.
      • Go to the OneDrive website and sign in.
      • Open Recycle bin on the left.
      • Restore any missing files or folders still listed there.
    3. Check the local recycle bins on both computers.
      • In Windows, open Recycle Bin, select the missing files or folders, right-click, and choose Restore.
      • Files deleted from the cloud will not appear in the computer Recycle Bin. Deleted online-only files also will not appear there.
    4. If only some files came back after Restore your OneDrive, check whether the remaining files are in another location:
      • Personal Vault: files stored there do not appear in normal search results. In the recycle bin, select Show Personal Vault items to check.
      • Another Microsoft account: sign out and sign in again with any other Microsoft account that may have been used.
    5. If many files are still missing and there was a broad deletion or sync problem, use Restore your OneDrive again and review the restore point carefully:
      • Go to the OneDrive website.
      • Select Settings > Options > Restore your OneDrive.
      • Choose a date or Custom date and time.
      • Use the activity chart and activity feed to review the actions that will be undone.
    6. Important limitation:
      • Restore your OneDrive can undo actions from the last 30 days.
      • Any files or folders created after the restore point will be moved to the OneDrive Recycle Bin. Check the Recycle Bin after the restore so those newer items are not missed.
      • If a file was permanently deleted from the OneDrive Recycle Bin, it cannot be recovered.
    7. If restore still brings back only part of the data, contact Microsoft Support from the support flow for personal accounts. Mobile users can also open the OneDrive app and gently shake the device to contact Support.
    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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