OneDrive File Issues

How to Delete OneNote Notebooks and Duplicate Copies from OneDrive

Chanuka Geekiyanage Sep 29, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to delete old OneNote notebooks and their duplicate copies from OneDrive, especially when the original device is no longer available.

How to Delete OneNote Notebooks and Duplicate Copies from OneDrive

Product: Microsoft OneNote and OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Cleaning up cloud storage by removing outdated or duplicate OneNote notebooks that are persisting in OneDrive.
Observed behavior: Duplicate copies named Copy 1 and Copy 2 appear in OneDrive, and the delete option is missing from the OneDrive menu if the notebooks are still open in the OneNote application.

Before you start

Verify that you are deleting the correct notebook and ensure any recent notes you want to keep have been manually copied elsewhere, as deleting a notebook from OneDrive will permanently remove it across all your synced devices.

Solution 1Recommended

Close the Notebooks in OneNote and Delete via OneDrive Web

This is the required method to unlock the files and successfully remove notebooks and their duplicates from your cloud storage.

OneDrive prevents you from deleting OneNote notebooks if they are actively open in the OneNote app on any device. To restore the delete option in OneDrive, you must first sever the connection by closing the notebooks directly within the OneNote application.

Close the Notebook in the OneNote App

Open the OneNote application. Click on the notebook dropdown list, right-click (or long-press) the name of each unwanted notebook, and select 'Close This Notebook'.

Sign in to OneDrive on the Web

Open your web browser and sign in to the official OneDrive website using the Microsoft account associated with your OneNote files.

Locate the Notebook Files

In the left sidebar, click on 'My files'. Navigate to the 'Documents' folder, then look for the 'OneNote Notebooks' folder where the original files and duplicate copies (e.g., Copy 1, Copy 2) are stored.

Delete the Notebooks

Select the original notebook and any duplicate copies you want to remove by checking the circle icon next to them. Click the 'Delete' button on the top toolbar.

Empty the Recycle Bin

If you need to free up storage space immediately or want permanent deletion, navigate to the 'Recycle bin' in the left menu of OneDrive, and click 'Empty recycle bin'.

Close the Notebooks in OneNote and Delete via OneDrive Web

File Locks Removed: Closing the notebook in the app removes the file lock, allowing OneDrive to process the deletion without synchronization errors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is there no delete option for my OneNote notebook in OneDrive?

If a notebook is currently open in the OneNote app on any connected device, OneDrive locks the file to prevent data loss. This lock hides or disables the delete option. You must first close the notebook inside the OneNote app to make the delete option available.

How do duplicate copies like 'Copy 1' and 'Copy 2' get created in OneDrive?

Duplicate copies are typically created when there is a synchronization conflict. If OneNote cannot merge offline changes with the cloud version due to network issues or version mismatches, it creates a duplicate (Copy 1, Copy 2) to prevent you from losing your work.

Can I recover a OneNote notebook if I accidentally deleted it from OneDrive?

Yes, deleted notebooks are moved to the OneDrive Recycle Bin. You can recover them by logging into OneDrive on the web, clicking 'Recycle bin' on the left panel, selecting the deleted notebook, and clicking 'Restore'. This must be done before the recycle bin is automatically emptied.

Will deleting a notebook from OneDrive delete it from my phone or tablet?

Yes, deleting the notebook file from OneDrive removes the master copy. Once your phone, tablet, or PC synchronizes with OneDrive, the notebook will stop syncing and eventually become inaccessible on those devices.

Document & File Issues