The three ways to delete in OneDrive, and what happens to each one
OneDrive gives you three deletion options, and which one you use depends on whether you want the file gone permanently or just out of your way. You can delete to your recycle bin (recoverable for 93 days), delete permanently (gone when ready), or stop sharing a file while keeping it in your account. Most people use the recycle bin by default, which is the safest choice if you are not certain.
The recycle bin is OneDrive's safety net. When you delete a file or folder, it lands in your recycle bin for 93 days before OneDrive removes it automatically. During that window, you can restore it to its original location with a few clicks. After 93 days, OneDrive deletes it permanently from their servers. If someone else shared the file with you, deleting it removes it only from your view — the owner still has it.
Permanent deletion skips the recycle bin entirely. The file is gone when ready and cannot be recovered through OneDrive. You would need a backup or a previous version (if OneDrive's version history captured it) to get it back. Use this only when you are certain you will never need the file again.
Key Takeaways
- Deleting to your recycle bin is the default and safest option — files stay recoverable for 93 days before OneDrive removes them automatically.
- You can delete a file by right-clicking it, selecting Delete, and confirming; it goes to your recycle bin unless you hold Shift while deleting.
- Permanent deletion (Shift+Delete on Windows, Command+Delete on Mac) removes the file when ready with no recovery window.
- Stopping sharing a file keeps it in your OneDrive but removes access for anyone you shared it with.
- OneDrive stores previous versions of files for up to 93 days, so you can restore an older copy even if you did not delete the current one.
How to delete a file or folder to your recycle bin
Open OneDrive in your web browser or through the OneDrive app on your computer. Find the file or folder you want to delete. Right-click on it (or long-press on a phone) and select Delete from the menu. The file moves to your recycle bin when ready. You will see a confirmation message at the top of the screen.
On a phone or tablet, open the OneDrive app, find the file, tap the three dots next to it, and select Delete. The process is the same — it goes to your recycle bin, not permanently removed.
If you delete a file by mistake, go to your recycle bin (usually a link in the left sidebar of the web version, or a menu option in the app), find the file, right-click it, and select Restore. It returns to the folder where it was before you deleted it.
How to permanently delete a file without using the recycle bin
Permanent deletion removes a file when ready without sending it to your recycle bin first. On Windows, select the file and press Shift+Delete together. On Mac, select the file and press Command+Delete. A confirmation dialog will appear asking if you are sure. Click Delete to confirm. The file is gone.
In the OneDrive web version, you can also right-click a file that is already in your recycle bin and select Delete permanently. This removes it from the recycle bin entirely, and it cannot be recovered.
Permanent deletion is useful when you are deleting sensitive files and want them gone when ready, or when you are running low on storage and want to free up space right away. OneDrive does not keep a copy after permanent deletion, so use this option only when you are certain.
Deleting folders with files inside them
When you delete a folder, everything inside it — files, subfolders, and all their contents — goes to your recycle bin together. You do not delete the contents separately. Right-click the folder and select Delete, just as you would for a single file.
If you restore a folder from your recycle bin, all the files inside it are restored too, in the same structure they had before. This makes it straightforward to undo a large deletion if you change your mind.
Be careful when deleting shared folders. If you are the owner and you delete it, everyone you shared it with loses access. If someone else owns the folder and you delete it from your view, you are only removing it from your own OneDrive — the owner still has it.
The difference between deleting and stopping a share
Deleting a file removes it from your account (or sends it to your recycle bin). Stopping a share keeps the file in your OneDrive but removes access for the people you shared it with. These are two different actions with different results.
To stop sharing a file without deleting it, right-click the file and look for a Share or Manage access option. Select the person or group you want to remove and click the trash icon or Remove button next to their name. They can no longer see or open the file, but it stays in your OneDrive.
If you want to delete the file entirely and also remove everyone's access, delete the file itself. Deleting it automatically stops all shares, since no one can access something that no longer exists in your account.
Recovering files from your recycle bin
Your OneDrive recycle bin holds deleted files for 93 days. After that, OneDrive removes them permanently. You can see how much time is left by opening your recycle bin and looking at the file details.
To restore a file, open your recycle bin, find the file you want back, right-click it, and select Restore. The file returns to the folder where it was before you deleted it. If that folder no longer exists, OneDrive creates it again.
If you cannot find a file in your recycle bin, it may have been permanently deleted, or the 93-day window may have passed. Check your OneDrive version history instead. Right-click the folder where the file was stored, select Version history (or Restore previous versions on some versions), and look for a snapshot from before the file was deleted. You can restore the entire folder to an earlier state, which brings back any files that were in it at that time.
Storage and deletion: what counts toward your limit
Deleted files in your recycle bin still count toward your OneDrive storage limit until they are permanently removed. If you are running out of space and need to free it up when ready, permanently delete files instead of moving them to your recycle bin.
To check your storage, open OneDrive settings and look for Storage or Account. You will see how much space you are using and how much is left. If you are close to your limit, permanently deleting large files is faster than waiting 93 days for the recycle bin to empty automatically.
Files you have shared with others but do not own do not count toward your storage limit. Deleting them from your view frees up no space because they are stored in the owner's account, not yours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I recover a file after it has been in my recycle bin for more than 93 days?
No. After 93 days, OneDrive permanently deletes files from your recycle bin automatically. If you need a file that old, check your version history in the folder where it was stored. OneDrive keeps previous versions for up to 93 days as well, so you may be able to restore an older copy of the folder.
What happens to shared files when I delete them?
If you own the file, deleting it removes access for everyone you shared it with. If someone else owns the file and shared it with you, deleting it removes it only from your OneDrive — the owner still has it. The owner can see that you deleted it from your account, but they can restore their own copy.
Does deleting a file free up my storage space right away?
Deleting to your recycle bin does not free up space when ready — the file still counts toward your limit until it is permanently removed or the 93 days pass. Permanently deleting a file (Shift+Delete on Windows, Command+Delete on Mac) frees up space right away.
Can I delete multiple files at once?
Yes. In the OneDrive web version or app, hold Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Mac) and click each file you want to delete. Then right-click one of the selected files and choose Delete. All selected files go to your recycle bin together. You can also select all files in a folder by pressing Ctrl+A or Command+A.
What if I delete a file that is synced to my computer?
If you have OneDrive synced to your computer, deleting a file in OneDrive also deletes it from your computer's OneDrive folder. It goes to your recycle bin on both. You can restore it from either your OneDrive recycle bin or your computer's recycle bin within the 93-day window.