Deleted File Recovery

How to Recover Deleted or Locked Assignments in SharePoint

Maira Mehtab Sep 21, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to recover school assignments that have either been deleted or locked in SharePoint, preventing both the student and the teacher from accessing the submitted work.

Product: Microsoft SharePoint and Teams
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: A student was actively working on a school assignment when the file suddenly disappeared or became locked, resulting in a complete loss of access to the document.
Observed behavior: The assignment is missing from its original directory or locked by the system, which stops the student from editing the file and prevents the teacher from viewing or grading the submitted work.

Before you start

Determine whether you were working directly in a SharePoint document library or via the Microsoft Teams Assignments tab, as the exact recovery location depends on where the assignment file was hosted.

Solution 1Recommended

Restore the Assignment from the SharePoint or Teams Recycle Bin

If the file was accidentally deleted while you were working on it, it can usually be recovered directly from the SharePoint or Teams recycle bin.

When files are deleted in Microsoft Teams or SharePoint, they are not permanently destroyed immediately. They are moved to the site's recycle bin where they can be restored by the user or the site administrator.

Navigate to the site

Open the specific SharePoint site or the Microsoft Teams channel where your assignment was originally hosted.

Open the Recycle bin

Look at the left-hand navigation menu and click on the 'Recycle bin' option. If you are in Teams, you may need to click 'Open in SharePoint' first from the Files tab to see this menu.

Locate the assignment

Scroll through the list of deleted items or use the search bar to find your missing assignment document.

Restore the file

Select the checkbox next to your assignment file, then click the 'Restore' button at the top of the page to return it to its original folder.

Retention Period: Files in the SharePoint recycle bin are typically retained for 93 days before they are permanently deleted.

Solution 2

Check Assignment Submission and Lock Status

Determine if the assignment was actually deleted or if it was intentionally locked by the system after you submitted it.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Looking for a Reliable Way to Complete School Assignments Offline?

While recovering files from SharePoint requires navigating Microsoft Teams or contacting your teacher, you can write and manage your school assignments safely offline using WPS Office. It is a free, lightweight suite that fully supports Microsoft Office formats and provides reliable local auto-backups so you never lose your work.

1. Download and Install WPS Office: Get the free WPS Office suite from the official website and install it on your computer.
2. Open Microsoft Office Formats: Easily open, edit, and save your school assignments in DOCX, XLSX, or PPTX formats without compatibility issues.
3. Enable Auto-Backup: Turn on the local auto-backup feature in WPS settings to ensure your school work is continually saved to your local drive.

Highly compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats.Local file saving and auto-backup features prevent unexpected data loss during assignments.Lightweight design ensures smooth performance on older student laptops.Completely free to use for students and educators with a familiar user interface.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the recycle bin located in SharePoint?

You can usually find the Recycle bin in the left-hand navigation pane of your SharePoint team site. If it is not visible there, click on the gear icon, select 'Site contents', and click 'Recycle bin' in the top right corner.

Why are my Microsoft Teams assignments locked?

Assignments in Microsoft Teams often lock automatically once the strict due date has passed or immediately after you click the 'Turn in' button. Only the class instructor can unlock the assignment or return it to you for revisions.

Can a teacher recover a student's deleted assignment?

Yes. If the file was stored in a shared SharePoint document library, the site owner (typically the teacher) can access the site's Recycle bin or the Second-stage recycle bin to restore the student's deleted files.

How long do deleted files stay in the SharePoint recycle bin?

Deleted files are typically retained in the SharePoint recycle bin for 93 days. After this period, they are permanently removed from the system and cannot be restored.

Migration & Recovery