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Deleted File Recovery

How to Recover a Teams Meeting Recording Deleted from the Second-Stage Recycle Bin

Rana GarciaRana Garcia Oct 1, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to recover a Microsoft Teams meeting recording that was permanently deleted from OneDrive after the second-stage recycle bin was emptied.

Recovering a Teams Meeting Recording Deleted from the Second-Stage Recycle Bin
Product
Microsoft Teams / OneDrive
Device & OS
not provided
Scenario
Attempting to restore a permanently deleted cloud video file utilizing Microsoft's backend cloud backups.
Observed behavior
The file is completely removed from all user-accessible recycle bins and standard restoration options are no longer available.
Before you start

Time is critical when attempting to restore permanently deleted cloud files. Gather the exact name of the recording, the creation date, and the original OneDrive or SharePoint URL before proceeding.

Solution 1Recommended

Request Recovery via Microsoft 365 Support

Because the file is purged from the second-stage recycle bin, standard tools will not work. A Microsoft 365 Administrator must escalate the issue directly to Microsoft Support.

Once a file is emptied from the second-stage recycle bin in OneDrive or SharePoint, it becomes inaccessible to end-users and site administrators.

The only remaining option is a backend recovery, which requires a global administrator to open a support ticket. Microsoft typically retains deleted data for a very short window (usually up to 14 days) after permanent deletion.

1
Identify your Microsoft 365 Admin

If you are a standard user, reach out to your organization's IT department, helpdesk, or Microsoft 365 global administrator immediately.

2
Gather recording details

Provide the administrator with the precise name of the Microsoft Teams recording, the date the meeting occurred, and the link to the original folder where it was saved.

3
Open a Microsoft Support request

The administrator must log into the Microsoft 365 Admin Center, navigate to the 'Support' section, and submit a new service request asking for a OneDrive or SharePoint point-in-time recovery.

4
Wait for assessment

Microsoft Support will investigate the backend servers to determine if the recording can be successfully restored based on their retention policies.

Request Recovery via Microsoft 365 Support
Recovery is not guaranteed: Microsoft cannot guarantee successful restoration once a file has been permanently purged from the second-stage recycle bin.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Microsoft keep deleted files in the second-stage recycle bin?

In Microsoft 365, deleted items are kept for a combined total of 93 days across both the primary and second-stage recycle bins. Once deleted from the second stage, they are permanently purged from the user interface.

Can I use third-party data recovery software to get my Teams recording back?

No. Because Microsoft Teams meeting recordings are saved in the cloud (on OneDrive or SharePoint), local hard drive recovery software cannot retrieve them. You must rely on Microsoft's backend cloud backups.

How do I find the second-stage recycle bin in OneDrive?

Log into your OneDrive account on the web, click on 'Recycle bin' in the left navigation pane, and scroll to the absolute bottom of the page. You will find a link labeled 'Second-stage recycle bin'.

Is there a time limit for Microsoft Support to recover permanently deleted files?

Yes. After a file is emptied from the second-stage recycle bin, administrators typically only have a 14-day window to request a point-in-time restoration from Microsoft Support before the data is permanently overwritten.