The fastest way to delete a file from OneDrive

To delete a file from OneDrive, open OneDrive in your web browser or the OneDrive app on your computer, right-click the file you want to remove, and select Delete. The file moves to your OneDrive recycle bin, where it stays for 93 days before OneDrive removes it permanently. If you delete by mistake, you can restore it from the recycle bin during that window.

On a phone or tablet, tap and hold the file, then tap the trash icon. The process is the same — the file goes to recycle bin first, not straight to permanent deletion. You can also select multiple files at once and delete them together, which saves time if you are cleaning up several items.

Key Takeaways

  • Deleted files go to your OneDrive recycle bin for 93 days, not straight to permanent deletion, so you can restore them if you change your mind.
  • You can delete files from the OneDrive website, the Windows or Mac app, or the mobile app — the file goes to the same recycle bin from any device.
  • Emptying your recycle bin permanently deletes files and frees up your storage space, but you cannot undo this action.
  • If someone else shared a file with you, deleting it removes it from your view but does not delete it from the owner's account.

Deleting files from the OneDrive website

Open onedrive.live.com in your browser and sign in with your Microsoft account. Navigate to the folder containing the file you want to delete. Right-click the file name and select Delete from the menu that appears. The file disappears from your main OneDrive view and moves to the recycle bin.

If you want to delete multiple files at once, click the circle next to each file name to select them. A toolbar appears at the top of the page with a trash icon — click it to delete all selected files together. This is faster than deleting one file at a time, especially if you are removing a batch of old documents or photos.

Deleting files from the OneDrive app on Windows or Mac

Open the OneDrive app on your computer. The app usually appears as a folder icon in your taskbar (Windows) or menu bar (Mac). Navigate to the file you want to delete, right-click it, and select Delete. The file moves to your recycle bin when ready.

On Windows, you can also select a file and press the Delete key on your keyboard. On Mac, select the file and press Command+Delete. Both methods send the file to recycle bin. If you have the OneDrive folder synced to your computer, you can also delete files directly from File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac), and they will move to OneDrive recycle bin rather than your computer's trash.

Deleting files from the OneDrive mobile app

Open the OneDrive app on your phone or tablet. Tap and hold the file you want to delete until a menu appears. Tap the trash icon or Delete option. The file moves to your recycle bin on all your devices.

To delete multiple files, tap the circle next to each file to select them. A toolbar appears at the bottom of the screen with a delete option — tap it to remove all selected files at once. The mobile app works the same way whether you use an iPhone, Android phone, or iPad.

Emptying your OneDrive recycle bin

Files in your recycle bin still count toward your storage limit. To free up space, you need to empty the recycle bin permanently. On the OneDrive website, click Recycle bin in the left sidebar. Select the files you want to remove permanently, or click Empty recycle bin at the top to delete everything at once. Once you empty the recycle bin, those files cannot be restored.

In the OneDrive app on Windows or Mac, right-click the OneDrive icon in your taskbar or menu bar and select Settings. Go to the Account tab and click Manage storage. This opens the website version where you can empty your recycle bin. On mobile, open the app, tap your profile picture, go to Settings, and look for the recycle bin option — the exact location varies by phone type.

What happens when you delete a shared file

If someone shared a file with you and you delete it, the file disappears from your OneDrive but remains in the owner's account. You are only removing it from your own view. The owner can still see it, edit it, and share it with others. Deleting a shared file does not affect anyone else's access to it.

If you are the owner of a shared file and you delete it, the file goes to your recycle bin. Other people who have access to it can no longer open it, but they may still see it in their shared files list until you empty your recycle bin. Once you empty recycle bin, the file is gone for everyone.

Recovering deleted files from recycle bin

To restore a deleted file, open OneDrive and click Recycle bin in the left sidebar. Find the file you want to restore, right-click it, and select Restore. The file returns to its original location in your OneDrive. If the original folder no longer exists, OneDrive creates it again.

On the mobile app, tap and hold the file in recycle bin and select Restore. The file goes back to where it was before you deleted it. You have 93 days from the deletion date to restore a file — after that, OneDrive removes it permanently and you cannot get it back.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does deleting a file from OneDrive delete it from my computer too?

No. If you have OneDrive synced to your computer, deleting the file in OneDrive removes it from the synced folder on your computer as well. But deleting a file from your computer does not automatically delete it from OneDrive — you have to delete it in OneDrive itself for that to happen.

Can I recover a file after I empty my recycle bin?

No. Once you empty your recycle bin, the files are permanently deleted and cannot be restored. If you delete a file by mistake, restore it from recycle bin before you empty the bin.

How much storage space do deleted files take up?

Deleted files in your recycle bin still count toward your OneDrive storage limit. They do not free up space until you empty the recycle bin. If you are running low on storage, emptying recycle bin is one way to make room for new files.

What if I delete a file someone else owns but shared with me?

Deleting a shared file removes it from your OneDrive only. The owner still has the file in their account and can continue to use it or share it with others. You are not deleting it for them.