File Sharing Problems

Fix OneNote Notebook Sharing and Deleted or Moved Errors

Adam Davis Sep 25, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to resolve an issue where sharing a OneNote notebook fails, and the recipient receives an error stating the notebook has been deleted or moved.

How to Fix OneNote Notebook Sharing and 'Deleted or Moved' Errors

Product: Microsoft OneNote
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: A user is trying to share a OneNote notebook or a recipient is trying to access a notebook that has been shared with them.
Observed behavior: The recipient is unable to access the shared notebook and sees a 'deleted or moved' error message, even though the notebook remains active and intact in the original owner's account.

Before you start

Ensure you have a stable internet connection and that the notebook owner's Microsoft OneDrive account has enough storage space to complete background synchronizations.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify Notebook Location and OneDrive Synchronization

Confirm that the notebook hasn't been accidentally relocated and that OneDrive has fully uploaded the latest changes to the cloud.

OneNote notebooks rely on OneDrive or SharePoint for cloud synchronization. If the sync process is interrupted or the source folder is renamed, recipients will encounter sharing errors.

Check Cloud Location

Log into your OneDrive or SharePoint account via a web browser and navigate to the 'Documents' or 'Notebooks' folder to confirm the original OneNote file is still present.

Verify Sync Status

Check the OneDrive cloud icon on your computer's taskbar or menu bar. Click on it to ensure the status says 'Up to date' and no files are pending.

Force a Manual Sync

Open the OneNote desktop app, right-click on the name of the problematic notebook, and select 'Sync This Notebook Now' to force an immediate update.

Verify Notebook Location and OneDrive Synchronization

OneDrive Outages: Occasionally, Microsoft server outages can cause temporary syncing issues. You can check the Microsoft 365 Service Status page if the sync seems perpetually stuck.

Solution 2

Re-add Sharing Permissions and Access via Web

Resetting the recipient's access can resolve corrupted permission glitches causing the 'deleted or moved' message.

Solution 3

Clear OneNote Cache and Update Applications

Clearing out corrupted local cache data and updating your software can fix persistent background syncing and sharing errors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does OneNote say my notebook was deleted or moved when it wasn't?

This usually happens if the OneDrive synchronization process was incomplete, the notebook folder was renamed while syncing, or the sharing permissions became corrupted between the owner's and recipient's accounts.

How do I force OneDrive to sync my OneNote notebooks?

You can force a sync by right-clicking the specific notebook in the OneNote desktop application and selecting 'Sync This Notebook Now'. Alternatively, check your OneDrive system tray icon to ensure syncing isn't paused.

Does clearing the OneNote cache delete my notes?

Clearing the cache deletes temporary files, which often fixes syncing issues. However, any notes that have not yet synced to the cloud may be lost. It is highly recommended to manually back up unsynced sections before clearing your cache.

Can I recover a OneNote notebook if it was accidentally deleted?

Yes. If the notebook was stored in OneDrive, log into your OneDrive account via a web browser, navigate to the Recycle Bin, select the deleted notebook file, and click 'Restore'. You generally have 30 days to recover deleted files.

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