Deleted File Recovery

How to Recover Deleted OneNote Pages After 60 Days

Kushani Nimanthika Sep 27, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to restore Microsoft OneNote pages that have permanently disappeared from the notebook recycle bin after the standard 60-day retention period.

How to Recover Deleted OneNote Pages After 60 Days

Product: Microsoft OneNote
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to recover important note pages that were deleted over two months ago and are no longer in the standard recycle bin.
Observed behavior: The deleted OneNote pages are completely missing from the notebook recycle bin due to the expiration of the retention period.

Before you start

Before attempting to restore your OneDrive to an earlier date, ensure you download and back up any currently important files locally, as the restoration process will revert all OneDrive content to its state on the selected date.

Solution 1Recommended

Restore OneDrive to an Earlier Date

Use the OneDrive restoration feature to roll back your entire OneDrive, including synced OneNote notebooks, to a time before the pages were permanently deleted.

OneNote notebooks are typically synced with OneDrive. If the notes bypass the 60-day recycle bin limit, restoring your entire OneDrive from Office.com can often recover the lost pages. This feature is available for Microsoft 365 subscribers.

Access OneDrive online

Open OneDrive Settings

Click the gear icon in the top right corner to access Settings, then select 'Restore your OneDrive'.

Select a restore date

Choose a specific date from the dropdown menu that corresponds to a time before the OneNote pages were deleted (up to 30 days ago).

Confirm restoration

Review the activity chart to verify the changes, then click 'Restore' to execute the rollback.

Impact on other files: Restoring your OneDrive affects all files and folders. Any changes made to other documents after the selected restore date will be undone.

Solution 2

Open a Service Request via Microsoft 365 Administrator

If OneDrive restoration does not work, organizational users can request backend recovery assistance from Microsoft Support.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Secure Document Management

Dealing with complex recovery limits in Microsoft 365 can be frustrating. Switching to WPS Office offers a streamlined, lightweight alternative that comes with intuitive built-in cloud backup features to help prevent permanent data loss, all while maintaining seamless compatibility with your existing files.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download and install the free office suite on your preferred device.
2. Sign in for Cloud Storage: Create a free account or sign in to access your complimentary WPS Cloud storage space.
3. Enable Auto-Backup: Turn on the auto-backup feature in settings to automatically sync and protect your documents from accidental data loss.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where are deleted OneNote pages stored before the 60-day limit?

Within the first 60 days, deleted pages are kept in the Notebook Recycle Bin. You can find this by opening your notebook, clicking the 'History' tab (or 'View' tab on Mac/Web), and selecting 'Notebook Recycle Bin'.

Can I find deleted OneNote pages in my local computer backups?

Yes, if you use the desktop version of OneNote (OneNote 2016/2021) on Windows, it automatically creates local backups. You can check for these files by navigating to File > Info > Open Backups.

Does restoring OneDrive guarantee my OneNote pages will be recovered?

Not necessarily. If the pages were never properly synced to OneDrive before deletion, or if the deletion occurred more than 30 days ago (the limit for OneDrive restore), the rollback may not recover your specific notes.

Can free Microsoft accounts use the OneDrive restore feature?

The 'Restore your OneDrive' feature is generally reserved for users with a Microsoft 365 subscription. Free personal accounts may not have access to full point-in-time restoration capabilities.

Migration & Recovery