The fastest way to delete a OneNote notebook

To delete a notebook in OneNote, right-click the notebook name in the left sidebar and select Delete. OneNote will ask you to confirm, then move the notebook to your Recycle Bin. The notebook stays in the Recycle Bin for 93 days before permanent deletion, so you can recover it during that window if you change your mind.

The exact steps depend on whether you use OneNote on Windows, Mac, or the web version. The web version (OneNote.com) works slightly differently because the notebook lives in your Microsoft OneDrive or SharePoint, not on your computer. In all versions, the notebook itself is deleted — not just your local copy — so anyone else with access will no longer see it.

If you cannot find the Delete option, your account permissions may prevent deletion. Shared notebooks often have restrictions, and some workplaces lock notebooks to prevent accidental loss. Check with the notebook owner or your IT department before assuming the option is unavailable.

Key Takeaways

  • Right-click the notebook name in the sidebar and select Delete to remove it from OneNote permanently.
  • Deleted notebooks go to your Recycle Bin for 93 days, giving you time to recover them if you delete by mistake.
  • In the web version of OneNote, deletion removes the notebook from OneDrive or SharePoint, not just from your view.
  • Shared notebooks may not have a Delete option if your account lacks permission to remove the entire notebook.

Deleting a notebook on Windows OneNote

Open OneNote on your Windows computer and look at the left sidebar where your notebook names appear. Right-click directly on the notebook you want to delete. A menu will pop up with several options, including Delete. Click Delete, and OneNote will ask you to confirm the action.

After you confirm, the notebook disappears from your sidebar when ready. OneNote moves it to your Recycle Bin, where it stays for 93 days. During those 93 days, you can recover the notebook by opening your Recycle Bin (usually found in File menu settings or your account settings) and selecting Restore.

If the Delete option does not appear when you right-click, the notebook may be shared or stored in a location your account cannot modify. Try opening OneNote settings to check whether the notebook is marked as read-only or owned by someone else.

Deleting a notebook on Mac OneNote

The Mac version of OneNote works the same way as Windows. Look for the notebook name in the left sidebar, right-click it, and select Delete from the menu. Confirm the deletion when OneNote asks, and the notebook moves to your Recycle Bin.

On Mac, you may also see a Delete option in the OneNote menu at the top of the screen if you select the notebook first. Both methods do the same thing — the notebook goes to the Recycle Bin for 93 days before permanent removal.

Deleting a notebook in OneNote on the web

OneNote.com (the web version) stores notebooks in your OneDrive or SharePoint, so deletion works differently. Open OneNote.com, find the notebook you want to delete in your notebook list, and click the three dots (more options) next to the notebook name. Select Delete from the menu.

When you delete a notebook in the web version, it goes to your OneDrive or SharePoint Recycle Bin, not OneNote's own Recycle Bin. You have 93 days to recover it from there. If you delete a notebook that is stored in SharePoint (often used by teams or workplaces), check with your SharePoint administrator about recovery options, as some organizations have different retention policies.

Recovering a deleted notebook within 93 days

If you delete a notebook by mistake, you have 93 days to get it back. In the Windows or Mac version, open OneNote and look for a Recycle Bin option in your account settings or File menu. Click it, find the notebook you deleted, and select Restore.

In the web version, go to your OneDrive or SharePoint site directly (not through OneNote), find the Recycle Bin, and restore the notebook from there. The location depends on where the notebook was stored — if it was in your personal OneDrive, check your OneDrive Recycle Bin; if it was in a team SharePoint site, check that site's Recycle Bin.

What happens to shared notebooks when you delete them

If you delete a notebook that other people have access to, the entire notebook is deleted for everyone. They will no longer see it in their OneNote sidebar, and they cannot access any of the notes inside. Before deleting a shared notebook, make sure no one else needs it or has important information stored only there.

If you own a shared notebook and want to remove your own access without deleting it for others, look for an option to leave the notebook instead of delete it. This removes it from your sidebar but leaves it intact for other people. The exact wording varies by OneNote version — it may say "Stop sharing" or "Leave notebook."

When you cannot delete a notebook

Some notebooks cannot be deleted because of account permissions or organizational policies. If the Delete option does not appear when you right-click, the notebook may be read-only, owned by someone else, or locked by your workplace.

Check whether the notebook is shared and whether you are the owner. Only the owner can delete a shared notebook. If you are not the owner, ask the owner to delete it, or ask them to remove you from the notebook so it no longer appears in your sidebar. If your organization locks notebooks, contact your IT department or manager to request deletion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete just one section of a notebook instead of the whole thing?

Yes. Right-click the section name (not the notebook name) in the sidebar and select Delete. The section moves to the Recycle Bin for 93 days. If you want to keep the notebook but remove only some notes, delete individual pages instead by right-clicking the page name.

What if I delete a notebook and then cannot find it in the Recycle Bin?

Check whether the notebook was stored in OneDrive or SharePoint. If it was in OneDrive, look in your OneDrive Recycle Bin, not OneNote's. If it was in a team SharePoint site, check that site's Recycle Bin. The 93-day recovery window applies to both locations.

Does deleting a notebook delete it from everyone's computer if we all have it synced?

Yes. OneNote syncs across all devices and accounts, so deleting a notebook removes it everywhere. If multiple people have the notebook open on different computers, they will all see it disappear from their sidebar once the deletion syncs.

Can I delete a notebook if I am not the owner?

No. Only the notebook owner can delete a shared notebook. If you want to stop seeing it, ask the owner to remove you from the notebook, or ask them to delete it if no one needs it anymore.