How do I restore a previous version of a file, find a deleted or missing file/folder in OneDrive or SharePoint or recover an unsaved file?

Use Version History to review and restore previous versions of a file, find missing files or folders that have been accidentally moved or are in the recycle bin and recover unsaved files

Contents

• Use Version History to restore a previous version of a file
• Find missing files or folders
• Recover a file from the recycle bin
• Recover unsaved files

Use Version History to restore a previous version of a file

If the file is stored in a SharePoint library or OneDrive it can be restored using Version history.

Microsoft 365 Desktop	Windows Explorer	SharePoint / OneDrive online
File > Info > Version History	Right-click file > OneDrive > Version history	Right-click file > Version history

Version History Video Tutorial

Related link

• Restore a previous version of a file stored in OneDrive

Find missing files or folders

It's quite common to accidentally move folders or files to another location with a slip of the mouse. If you're not sure of the location try this solutions:

1. If you've just done moved or deleted a file or folder, press the keys CTRL and Z  together to Undo.
2. Look in the surrounding folders in the same location in case you have accidentally dragged it into one of those.
3. Search in the web version of OneDrive:
   1. Search for the file or folder name in the top search bar
   2. Select where to search
      1. All files = all files you have access to across OneDrive and SharePoint
      2. My files = all files in your own OneDrive
      3. Whole organisation = all files you have access to in SharePoint.
         1. You will be redirected to the SharePoint search.
   3. Select Show more results to get a full list of search results. Hover over the location and click the location path to open the containing folder.
      
      1. OneDrive Search
         
      2. SharePoint Search
         
   4. Move the folder or file:
      1. Select the file or folder or the More Options . . . next to its name
      2. Select Move to
      3. Navigate to the location you want it to be
      4. Select Move here
         
   5. When opening a file, the location is shown in the top left in the dropdown box underneath the file's name
      1. Select the folder links to open the containing folders
      2. Select the right arrow > to move the file to another location
      3. 
4. Check the recycle bin...

Recover a file from the recycle bin

If a file or folder has been deleted, restore the file from your computer's recycle bin or, if it's not there, the OneDrive or SharePoint recycle bin:

• OneDrive
  • https://stalbansdiocese-my.sharepoint.com/
  • Sign in if requested
  • Select Recycle bin in left menu
• SharePoint
  • Main Site: https://stalbansdiocese.sharepoint.com/_layouts/15/RecycleBin.aspx
  • Other Sites:
    • https://stalbansdiocese.sharepoint.com/_layouts/15/sharepoint.aspx
    • Sign in if requested
    • Navigate to site
    • Select Recycle bin in left menu

Recover unsaved files

1. Go to File > Info > Manage Document > Recover Unsaved Workbooks in Excel, or Recover Unsaved Presentations in PowerPoint.

   

2. Select the file, and then select Open.

   

3. In the bar at the top of the file, select Save As to save the file.

   

Video Tutorial

365 Tutorial Recovering Unsaved Documents Microsoft Training

Related link

• Microsoft Support: Recover an earlier version of an Office file >

Still can't find what you're looking for?

Raise a support ticket and include any filenames and locations you can remember and the IT Team will take a look for you.