How to Download or Move Files from the SharePoint Recycle Bin
Question details
The user wants to download deleted files directly from the SharePoint Recycle Bin or move them to a different site for bulk downloading.
- Product
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to retrieve or relocate deleted files directly from the Recycle Bin without restoring them to their original location first.
- Observed behavior
- SharePoint lacks a direct command to download files from the Recycle Bin or move them to another site. Items must be restored to their original location.
Ensure you have the necessary site permissions (such as Site Owner or Member) to access the SharePoint Recycle Bin and restore deleted files.
Restore Files to Original Location Before Downloading
Since SharePoint does not support direct downloads from the Recycle Bin, you must restore the files to their original location before moving or downloading them.
Microsoft SharePoint currently requires all deleted items to be restored to their original document library or list before any secondary actions can be taken. There is no built-in interface or PowerShell command to bypass this requirement.
Navigate to your SharePoint site and click on 'Recycle bin' in the left-hand navigation menu.
Find the files or folders you want to recover and select them by clicking the circular checkbox next to each item's name.
Click the 'Restore' button at the top command bar. The selected items will be immediately returned to their original document library.
Go to the original document library where the files were restored. Select the files again, and click 'Download' to save them locally, or 'Move to' to transfer them to a different SharePoint site or folder.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use SharePoint PowerShell to move recycle bin files to another site?
No, SharePoint PowerShell does not support restoring or moving Recycle Bin contents directly to a different site for downloading. The supported recovery method is to restore items to their original locations first.
How long do deleted files stay in the SharePoint Recycle Bin?
Deleted items are typically retained in the SharePoint Recycle Bin for 93 days from the time you delete them from their original location. After 93 days, they are permanently deleted.
What if the original document library was also deleted?
If the original library or folder was deleted, you must first restore the library or folder from the Recycle Bin before you can successfully restore the individual files contained within it.
How can I request a direct download feature from Microsoft?
Since this is currently a limitation of SharePoint, you can submit a new feature request or vote for an existing one regarding direct Recycle Bin downloads through the official Microsoft SharePoint feedback portal.
