Deleted File Recovery

Can a Hard-Deleted Microsoft 365 Group Be Restored?

Nimra Malik Oct 1, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is asking if a permanently (hard) deleted Microsoft 365 group, its email address, and the associated Entra ID object can be recovered, especially since the linked SharePoint site still exists.

How to Handle a Hard-Deleted Microsoft 365 Group

Product: Microsoft 365
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: A Microsoft 365 group was permanently deleted following a shared mailbox request, leaving an orphaned SharePoint site.
Observed behavior: The group, email address, and Entra ID object are completely removed and unavailable in the standard deleted groups interface, while the related SharePoint site remains active.

Before you start

Verify if the group was deleted less than 30 days ago. Groups within this window are usually only 'soft-deleted' and can be easily recovered from the Microsoft 365 admin center before they become hard-deleted.

Solution 1Recommended

Check for Soft-Deletion and Restore the Group

Before assuming the group is hard-deleted, check the deleted groups list. Soft-deleted groups can be fully restored within 30 days of deletion.

When a Microsoft 365 group is deleted, it enters a 30-day soft-deletion state by default. During this time, the group, its email address, and all associated content (including the SharePoint site and planner) can be recovered intact.

Access the Admin Center

Navigate to Deleted Groups

In the left navigation pane, expand 'Teams & groups' and select 'Deleted groups'.

Restore the Group

Locate the affected group in the list. Select it, and then click the 'Restore group' button in the details pane.

Time Limit: If the group is not visible in this list, it has likely exceeded the 30-day retention period or was manually hard-deleted via PowerShell.

Solution 2

Manage an Orphaned SharePoint Site and Recreate the Group

Hard-deleted groups and their associated mailboxes cannot normally be restored. You must salvage the remaining SharePoint data and create a new group.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a soft-deleted and hard-deleted Microsoft 365 group?

A soft-deleted group is held in a temporary recycle bin for 30 days and can be fully restored by an administrator. A hard-deleted group is permanently purged from Entra ID (formerly Azure AD), and its mailbox and content cannot normally be recovered.

Why does the SharePoint site still exist after the Microsoft 365 group was hard-deleted?

Sometimes the SharePoint site remains active if there are specific retention policies applied to the site's content, or if there was a synchronization delay during the deletion process. You can manage this orphaned site directly from the SharePoint Admin Center.

Can Microsoft Support recover a hard-deleted Entra ID object?

In most standard scenarios, hard-deleted objects are permanently destroyed and cannot be recovered even by Microsoft. However, you can submit a support ticket via the Admin Center to verify if any disaster recovery exceptions apply to your specific tenant.

Migration & Recovery