Deleted File Recovery

How to Restore a Deleted Microsoft Forms File Upload Folder

Maira Mehtab Oct 10, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to recover a deleted folder used for Microsoft Forms file uploads in order to allow respondents to submit files again.

How to Restore a Deleted Microsoft Forms File Upload Folder

Product: Microsoft Forms
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Respondents are trying to submit files via a Microsoft Form but are blocked from completing the submission because the destination folder was deleted.
Observed behavior: A 'Failed to upload your file' error appears when users attempt to attach and submit files, preventing successful form submission.

Before you start

Ensure you are signed in to the correct OneDrive for Business account or SharePoint site where the original Microsoft Form was created.

Solution 1Recommended

Restore the Upload Folder from OneDrive for Business

Recover the deleted forms folder directly from your primary OneDrive recycle bin to immediately restore file upload functionality.

When a file upload question is added to a personal Microsoft Form, a folder is automatically generated in your OneDrive for Business. If this folder is deleted, it breaks the upload path. Restoring it will fix the form instantly.

Access OneDrive

Open your web browser and sign in to your OneDrive for Business account.

Navigate to the Recycle Bin

On the left navigation pane, click on 'Recycle bin'.

Locate the Folder

Look for the deleted folder associated with your Microsoft Form. It is typically named after the form.

Restore the Folder

Select the deleted upload folder and click on the 'Restore' button at the top of the page.

Restore the Upload Folder from OneDrive for Business

Form Functionality Restored: Once the folder is returned to its original location, the 'Failed to upload your file' error will disappear, and respondents can submit files immediately.

Solution 2

Recover from the Second-Stage Recycle Bin

If the upload folder has been cleared from your primary recycle bin, you may still find it in the second-stage recycle bin.

Solution 3

Restore from SharePoint Site Recycle Bin (For Group Forms)

If the form was created as a group form or in SharePoint, the upload folder is stored in the site's recycle bin rather than your personal OneDrive.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why do respondents get a 'Failed to upload your file' error on my Microsoft Form?

This error occurs because the specific destination folder in OneDrive or SharePoint linked to the Form's File Upload question has been moved, renamed, or deleted, breaking the upload path.

How long do deleted folders stay in the OneDrive recycle bin?

For work or school accounts (OneDrive for Business), deleted items are typically retained in the recycle bin for 93 days before they are permanently purged from the system.

Can I simply create a new folder with the same name to fix the upload error?

No, recreating a folder manually will not re-link it to the Microsoft Form. You must either restore the original folder from the recycle bin or delete and recreate the File Upload question within the form to generate a new linked folder.

What should I do if the folder is missing from both recycle bins?

If the folder is not in the primary or second-stage recycle bin, it may have been permanently deleted, or it might reside in a SharePoint site you lack administrative access to. You will need to contact your organization's IT administrator to check backend recovery options.

Migration & Recovery