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OneDrive File Issues

How to Restore the OneDrive Delete Confirmation Warning in Windows

Bushra ParveenBushra Parveen Oct 9, 2026 871 views

Question details

The user wants to re-enable the OneDrive deletion confirmation prompt after accidentally checking the 'Do not show this reminder again' option, without needing to perform a full System Restore.

How to Restore the OneDrive Delete Confirmation Warning
Product
OneDrive
Device & OS
Windows
Scenario
Deleting synced files from the OneDrive folder on a Windows PC.
Observed behavior
Files are deleted immediately without a warning dialog because the reminder prompt was previously disabled.
Before you start

Since this solution requires making changes to the Windows Registry, it is highly recommended that you back up your registry or create a System Restore point before proceeding to prevent any unintended system issues.

Solution 1Recommended

Restore the Deletion Warning via Registry Editor

Modify or delete the specific registry key that stores your preference for hiding the OneDrive deletion prompt.

Windows stores the 'Do not show this reminder again' preference for OneDrive directly in the Registry. By resetting this specific value, you can bring the prompt back instantly without affecting any of your synced files or needing to roll back your operating system.

1
Open the Windows Registry Editor

Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog. Type 'regedit' into the text box and press Enter or click OK. Click 'Yes' if prompted by User Account Control.

2
Navigate to the OneDrive Registry Key

In the left pane of the Registry Editor, navigate to the following path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\OneDrive.

3
Modify or Delete the FirstDeleteDialogsShown Entry

In the right pane, look for an entry named 'FirstDeleteDialogsShown'. Double-click it and change its 'Value data' to 0. Alternatively, you can right-click the entry and select 'Delete' to remove it completely.

4
Apply Changes and Restart OneDrive

Close the Registry Editor. To apply the changes, either restart your computer or right-click the OneDrive cloud icon in your system tray, quit the app, and relaunch it from the Start menu.

Restore the Deletion Warning via Registry Editor
Test the Warning Prompt: Try deleting a non-essential test file in your OneDrive folder to confirm that the 'Deleted files are removed everywhere' warning dialog successfully appears again.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the OneDrive delete warning disappear in the first place?

The warning dialog typically disappears because the 'Do not show this reminder again' checkbox was selected during a previous file deletion prompt. Windows saves this preference in the system registry.

Can I restore the OneDrive warning without using the Registry Editor?

Currently, if the reminder box was checked, there is no toggle inside the standard OneDrive settings menu to bring it back. The Registry Editor is the only direct built-in method to revert this specific interface behavior.

Will modifying the OneDrive registry key affect my saved files?

No, changing or deleting the 'FirstDeleteDialogsShown' registry key only affects the user interface pop-up behavior. It does not delete, move, or alter any of your actual files stored in the cloud or on your local drive.

How long do deleted OneDrive files stay in the Recycle Bin if I missed the warning?

For personal Microsoft accounts, deleted files are kept in the OneDrive online Recycle Bin for 30 days. For work or school accounts, they are typically retained for 93 days, allowing you ample time to restore them.