Deleted File Recovery

How to Recover Files After a Microsoft Teams Exploratory Trial Expires

Guest Writer Oct 9, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user needs to recover files and data that became inaccessible after their Microsoft Teams Exploratory trial ended without a paid license being assigned.

How to Recover Files After a Microsoft Teams Exploratory Trial Expires

Product: Microsoft Teams
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: A Microsoft Teams Exploratory trial has expired, access has been lost, and the user needs to know if and how their data can be restored before permanent deletion.
Observed behavior: Files and workspaces are locked and inaccessible due to trial expiration. Depending on the number of days passed, the data enters a grace period or is permanently deleted.

Before you start

Gather your Microsoft 365 global administrator account credentials, the exact expiration date of your Teams trial, and any data retention notices you previously received from Microsoft.

Solution 1Recommended

Open a Microsoft 365 Admin Support Ticket

The most reliable way to recover data from an expired Teams Exploratory trial is to have the Microsoft support team restore it before the retention grace period ends.

Microsoft typically offers a 30-day grace period where access is lost but data is retained, followed by a deletion phase around 60 days. You must act quickly through the official admin channels, as community forums cannot restore tenant data.

Log in to the Admin Center

Navigate to the Microsoft 365 admin center in your web browser and sign in using your global administrator credentials.

Navigate to Help & Support

Click on the 'Help & Support' button or headset icon located in the bottom right corner of the admin portal.

Create a Service Request

Type 'Data restoration for expired Teams trial' in the search box, hit Enter to review the suggested articles, and then select 'Contact Support' to open a new ticket.

Provide Critical Details

Include the exact trial expiration date, the date you noticed access was lost, and any prior communication from Microsoft regarding your data retention period in your support request.

Open a Microsoft 365 Admin Support Ticket

Time Sensitivity: If more than 60 days have passed since your trial expired without assigning a paid license, the data is likely purged from Microsoft's servers and cannot be recovered.

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1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and click the download button to get the free installer.
2. Install the Suite: Run the downloaded setup file and follow the simple on-screen instructions to install WPS Office on your device.
3. Open Your Recovered Files: Launch WPS Office and directly open any Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files you managed to recover, with all original formatting preserved.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Microsoft keep my Teams data after a trial expires?

Typically, Microsoft retains data for a 30-day grace period where administrators can still access or recover it. After 60 days without a paid license being assigned, the data is generally scheduled for permanent deletion.

Can I recover my Teams data without Microsoft admin access?

No. Only an authorized administrator with access to the Microsoft 365 admin center can open a support ticket and formally request data restoration for an expired Teams Exploratory trial.

Will buying a paid license immediately restore my expired Teams files?

If you purchase and assign a paid Microsoft 365 license within the initial 30-day grace period, users will usually regain access to their data automatically. If more time has passed, you will still need to contact Microsoft support to verify if the files are recoverable.

Migration & Recovery