Deleted File Recovery

How to Recover a Disappeared Microsoft Form After Owner Account Deletion

Maira Mehtab Sep 20, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to recover a shared Microsoft Form that has disappeared after the original form owner's Microsoft 365 account was deleted.

Product: Microsoft Forms
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: A user attempts to access a shared Microsoft Form for data collection or reviewing responses, but finds the form is missing because the creator has left the organization and their account was removed.
Observed behavior: The shared Microsoft Form is no longer accessible, displaying an error or failing to load entirely.

Before you start

Verify the exact email address or username of the original form owner and confirm with your IT department if their Microsoft 365 account was recently deactivated or deleted.

Solution 1

Check the Deleted Forms Section

Verify if the form was accidentally moved to the recycle bin prior to the account deletion, as users sometimes delete items before their account is fully removed.

Log into Microsoft Forms

Navigate to forms.office.com in your web browser and sign in with your active Microsoft 365 credentials.

Access Deleted Forms

Scroll to the bottom right of the main dashboard and click on the 'Deleted forms' tab.

Restore the Missing Form

If the form appears in this list, hover over its tile, click the 'More options' (three dots) icon, and select 'Restore'.

Solution 2Recommended

Request Account Restoration from Microsoft 365 Administrator

If the account was permanently deleted, only an IT administrator can restore the account (within 30 days) to recover the form and transfer its ownership.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Microsoft 365 retain forms after an account is deleted?

Microsoft 365 keeps a deleted user's data, including Microsoft Forms and responses, for a strict retention period of 30 days. Once this period expires, the data is permanently purged and cannot be recovered.

Can I transfer ownership of a Microsoft Form before an employee leaves?

Yes. It is highly recommended that exiting employees move their important forms to a Microsoft 365 Group. Doing so transfers ownership to the group, ensuring the form and its data remain available to the team after the individual account is deleted.

Are the collected responses lost when a form disappears?

If the form is currently missing due to account deletion, the responses are inaccessible. However, if an administrator successfully restores the deleted account within the 30-day window, all previously collected responses will be fully restored alongside the form.

Migration & Recovery