Deleted File Recovery

How to Restore SharePoint Files Replaced by Empty Folders

WPS Editor Oct 1, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to recover files in SharePoint Online that have disappeared and been seemingly replaced by empty folders, while standard recycle bins show no recoverable items.

How to Restore SharePoint Files Replaced by Empty Folders

Product: Microsoft SharePoint Online
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Files go missing from a SharePoint document library and only empty folders remain in their place.
Observed behavior: Original files are no longer available in their respective folders, the current version history is reset to 1.0, and neither the first-stage nor second-stage recycle bins contain the missing files.

Before you start

Ensure you have Microsoft 365 administrator privileges or site collection administrator permissions, as accessing the Purview audit logs and the second-stage recycle bin requires elevated access.

Solution 1

Check the Second-Stage Recycle Bin

Verify that the files were not permanently deleted from the primary recycle bin by checking the Site Collection (second-stage) recycle bin.

When files are deleted from a SharePoint site, they first go to the site's standard recycle bin. If they are deleted from there, they are moved to the second-stage recycle bin where they remain for the rest of the 93-day retention period.

Access Site Recycle Bin

Navigate to your SharePoint site and click 'Recycle bin' in the left-hand navigation pane.

Open Second-Stage Bin

Scroll to the very bottom of the recycle bin page and click the link that says 'Second-stage recycle bin'.

Restore Files

If the missing files are located here, check the box next to their names and click 'Restore' at the top of the page.

Permission Requirement: Only Site Collection Administrators can view and restore items from the second-stage recycle bin.

Solution 2Recommended

Search the Microsoft Purview Audit Log

Use the audit log to track deletion, move, or replacement activities when files are missing and not found in the recycle bins.

Solution 3

Contact Microsoft Support

Engage Microsoft Support for backend recovery if audit logs show no events and files are completely unavailable.

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Switch to WPS Office for Reliable Document Management

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does SharePoint keep deleted files in the recycle bin?

SharePoint Online retains deleted items in the recycle bins (both first and second-stage combined) for a total of 93 days. After 93 days, the files are permanently deleted.

Why would my SharePoint files be replaced by empty folders?

This can happen due to OneDrive sync client glitches, improper bulk-move operations where the folder structure copies but the files fail to transfer, or third-party workflow errors that recreate folders without their contents.

Can I recover previous versions if the current file version is 1.0?

If a file was entirely replaced by a new empty folder or a blank file resulting in a version reset to 1.0, the version history of the original file is broken. You must rely on the recycle bin or audit logs to find the original deleted file.

Migration & Recovery