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How to Restore a Missing OneDrive Folder After an Update
Question details
The user needs to recover a recently created OneDrive folder that went missing after an update and cannot be found in the Recycle Bin.
- Product
- OneDrive
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Recovering missing folders or files after a system or application update causes them to disappear.
- Observed behavior
- A recently created OneDrive folder is missing and does not appear in either the first-stage or second-stage Recycle Bin.
Ensure you are signed into the correct Microsoft account on your web browser and double-check your local desktop and cloud Recycle Bins to confirm the folder is completely missing.
Use the Restore Your OneDrive Feature
Use this built-in Microsoft 365 feature to undo all actions that occurred on your files and folders over the past 30 days.
The 'Restore your OneDrive' feature is a powerful tool designed to help Microsoft 365 subscribers recover from accidental mass deletions, file corruption, or synchronization issues caused by recent updates. It rolls your entire OneDrive state back to a specific previous point in time.
Go to the official OneDrive website using your preferred browser and sign in with the Microsoft account associated with the missing folder.
Click the gear icon in the upper-right corner of the screen to open the Settings menu.
Click on 'Restore your OneDrive' from the available options. If you do not see this option directly, select 'Options' first, and then find 'Restore your OneDrive' on the left navigation pane.
On the Restore page, use the dropdown menu to select a date and time before the folder disappeared. You can use the activity chart and feed to identify the exact moment.
Once you have selected the appropriate date, click the 'Restore' button to revert your OneDrive to that earlier state.
Try WPS Office for Reliable Document Management and Built-in Cloud Storage
If missing files and unexpected cloud synchronization issues disrupt your workflow, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly stable environment with built-in WPS Cloud, ensuring your important documents are safely backed up and easy to recover.
- 1. Download and Install WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download the free, lightweight installer.
- 2. Sign In to Enable WPS Cloud: Create or sign in to your WPS account to instantly activate your secure cloud storage.
- 3. Enable Automatic Backup: Save your files directly to WPS Cloud or turn on Auto-Backup to prevent data loss in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I recover a OneDrive folder that disappeared more than 30 days ago?
Generally, the 'Restore your OneDrive' feature is limited to the last 30 days. If the folder went missing earlier than that, it cannot be recovered using this method unless your organization has special retention policies in place.
Will restoring my OneDrive delete my recently created files?
Yes, rolling back your OneDrive will undo all changes made after the selected restore date. This includes deleting any files or folders created after that point in time. You should manually back up your recent files to a local drive before initiating the restore process.
Why didn't my missing folder show up in the Recycle Bin?
A folder might bypass the Recycle Bin if it was permanently deleted due to an update glitch, removed by malicious software, or if a synchronization error on another connected device caused it to be hard-deleted rather than moved to the bin.
