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How to Recover Disappeared Files After Moving Between SharePoint Sites
Question details
The user needs to find and recover files that went missing while being moved from one SharePoint site to another via File Explorer.
- Product
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Moving files between SharePoint locations through File Explorer resulted in interrupted or failed synchronization.
- Observed behavior
- The files are no longer visible in either the source folder or the destination folder.
Ensure you have the exact URLs of both the original (source) and target (destination) SharePoint sites, and verify that you are logged in with the correct Microsoft 365 account.
Check Source and Target SharePoint Recycle Bins
The most common place disappeared files end up after a failed move is the SharePoint site's Recycle Bin.
When a move is interrupted in File Explorer, the system might have already executed the delete command on the source site without fully uploading the file to the target site. Checking both web-based Recycle Bins is the fastest way to recover them.
Open a web browser and navigate to the original SharePoint site where the files were initially located.
Locate and click on the 'Recycle Bin' in the left navigation pane. If it's not visible, append '/_layouts/15/RecycleBin.aspx' to the end of the site URL and press Enter.
Search for your missing files, select the checkboxes next to them, and click the 'Restore' button.
If the files are not in the source Recycle Bin, repeat this exact process for the target (destination) SharePoint site.
Request Advanced Recovery from Microsoft 365 Admin
If files aren't in the Recycle Bin, your IT department can initiate a specialized recovery request through Microsoft 365.
Try WPS Office for Reliable Document Management
While dealing with complex SharePoint sync issues, consider using WPS Office for your daily document tasks. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office, ensuring you can securely edit, save, and manage your local and cloud documents without unnecessary complexity.
- 1. Download and Install: Get WPS Office for free from the official website and complete the quick installation process.
- 2. Open Your Files: Launch WPS Office and directly open your existing Microsoft Office format files without any conversion needed.
- 3. Enable Local Backup: Turn on the built-in backup settings to ensure copies of your files are always saved locally in case of cloud sync failures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do files disappear when moving them between SharePoint sites?
Files can disappear if the transfer process via Windows File Explorer is interrupted by network drops, synchronization delays, or application crashes. This can cause the file to be deleted from the source location before it is fully written to the destination.
Can I find missing SharePoint files in my computer's local Windows Recycle Bin?
Generally, files deleted or lost during a cloud-to-cloud SharePoint move via File Explorer bypass the local Windows Recycle Bin. You must check the web-based Recycle Bin directly on the SharePoint site.
How long do files stay in the SharePoint Recycle Bin before being permanently deleted?
Deleted files are typically kept in the SharePoint site Recycle Bin for 93 days. If they are removed from the user's first-stage bin, they move to the Second-Stage (Site Collection) Recycle Bin for the remainder of those 93 days, which is accessible only by SharePoint administrators.
