SharePoint Document Issues

How to Prevent SharePoint Files from Appearing in the Local Recycle Bin

Bushra Parveen Oct 23, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to prevent files that are deleted by other users on SharePoint from generating a copy in their local Windows Recycle Bin.

How to Prevent SharePoint Files from Appearing in the Local Recycle Bin

Product: SharePoint / OneDrive
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: A user is synchronizing an online SharePoint document library to a local computer via the OneDrive sync client.
Observed behavior: When files are deleted from the SharePoint library online by other users, the synchronized local copies are removed from the local computer and unexpectedly sent to the local Windows Recycle Bin.

Before you start

Ensure that the OneDrive Files On-Demand feature is enabled in your OneDrive application settings so you can manage your local disk space.

Solution 1Recommended

Use the "Free up space" Option in OneDrive

Changing your synchronized folders to online-only items prevents local copies from being stored, which stops them from moving to the local Recycle Bin when deleted remotely.

By default, OneDrive may download copies of synchronized SharePoint files to your hard drive. If another user deletes the file from SharePoint, the sync client resolves this by deleting the local file, sending it directly to your Windows Recycle Bin. Using the 'Free up space' feature converts these files into online-only shortcuts.

Open File Explorer

Press Windows Key + E to open File Explorer and navigate to your synchronized SharePoint folder on the left sidebar.

Select the Folder or Files

Right-click the entire SharePoint folder or the specific files you want to stop storing locally.

Click Free up space

Select 'Free up space' from the context menu (indicated by a blue cloud icon). The files will be removed from your local drive but remain accessible online.

Use the "Free up space" Option in OneDrive

Online-Only Files: Once configured, files deleted by other users will go directly to the SharePoint site's Recycle Bin and will no longer appear in your local Windows Recycle Bin.

Solution 2

Map SharePoint as a Network Location

Mapping the SharePoint library as a network location entirely bypasses OneDrive synchronization, avoiding duplicate local copies.

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1. Download and Install WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website to download the free installer and complete the setup on your Windows PC.
2. Open a Synchronized Document: Launch WPS Office, click 'Open', and navigate to your synced SharePoint or OneDrive folder in File Explorer.
3. Edit and Auto-Save: Edit your document normally. When you save, OneDrive will automatically sync the changes back to your SharePoint library.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats (DOCX, XLSX, PPTX) stored on SharePoint and OneDrive.Lightweight installation saves local disk space, complementing the OneDrive 'Free up space' feature.Familiar user interface allowing for a seamless transition without a learning curve.Free to use with built-in comprehensive PDF editing capabilities.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why do deleted SharePoint files go to my local Recycle Bin?

When you sync a SharePoint library using OneDrive, physical copies of the files are downloaded to your local hard drive. If a file is deleted from the online library by another user, the OneDrive sync engine removes the local copy from your computer by sending it to your Windows Recycle Bin.

How do I know if a synced file is online-only or stored locally?

Open File Explorer and check the 'Status' column next to your files. A blue cloud icon means the file is online-only and takes up no disk space. A green checkmark indicates the file is downloaded and stored locally on your device.

Will using 'Free up space' delete the file from SharePoint?

No. The 'Free up space' option only removes the local, cached copy from your computer's hard drive to save space. The original file remains safely stored in your online SharePoint document library.

Document & File Issues