Delete files from OneDrive on your computer
The fastest way to delete OneDrive files is through the folder on your computer. Open File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac), navigate to your OneDrive folder, right-click the file or folder you want to remove, and select Delete. The file moves to your OneDrive recycle bin, where it stays for 93 days before permanent deletion.
If you delete a file from your OneDrive folder on your computer, it also disappears from OneDrive.com and any other device where you have OneDrive synced. This happens automatically — you do not need to do anything else. The deletion syncs across all your devices within a few minutes, depending on your internet speed.
One common mistake: deleting a file from your computer's regular Recycle Bin does not permanently remove it from OneDrive. You must delete it from the OneDrive folder itself, or it will sync back to your computer the next time OneDrive updates.
Delete files using OneDrive.com
You can also delete files directly from the OneDrive website without touching your computer. Go to OneDrive.com, sign in with your Microsoft account, find the file or folder, right-click it, and select Delete. The file goes to your recycle bin immediately.
Deleting through the website is useful when you are on a different computer or device and do not have OneDrive synced locally. It works the same way as deleting from your computer folder — the file moves to recycle, not permanent deletion.
Key Takeaways
- Deleted files go to your OneDrive recycle bin for 93 days, giving you time to restore them if you change your mind.
- You can delete files either from your OneDrive folder on your computer or through OneDrive.com — both methods sync across all your devices.
- Deleting a file from your computer's regular Recycle Bin does not remove it from OneDrive; you must delete it from the OneDrive folder itself.
- Permanently deleting a file from the recycle bin cannot be undone, so double-check before you empty it.
- Shared files and folders may have restrictions — the person who shared them with you controls whether you can delete them.
Empty your OneDrive recycle bin
Files you delete do not disappear forever right away. They sit in your OneDrive recycle bin for 93 days. If you want to permanently delete them sooner, or free up storage space immediately, you can empty the recycle bin manually.
On OneDrive.com, click the Recycle Bin folder on the left side. You will see all deleted files from the past 93 days. Select the files you want to permanently delete, then click Delete. You can also click "Empty recycle bin" at the top to delete everything at once. This action cannot be undone.
On your computer, right-click the OneDrive folder in File Explorer or Finder, select View Online, and follow the same steps through the website. There is no recycle bin folder visible on your computer itself — all deleted files are managed through OneDrive.com.
Restore deleted files from the recycle bin
If you delete a file by mistake, you have 93 days to get it back. Go to OneDrive.com, click Recycle Bin on the left, find the file, right-click it, and select Restore. The file returns to its original location.
If the original folder no longer exists, OneDrive puts the restored file in your main OneDrive folder instead. You can then move it wherever you need it. Restoring a file does not affect any other files — it only brings back the one you selected.
Delete shared files and folders
If someone shared a folder with you and you want to stop seeing it, you can remove it from your view without deleting it for everyone else. Right-click the shared folder, select Remove, and it disappears from your OneDrive. The folder still exists for the person who shared it and anyone else they invited.
If you are the owner of a shared folder and you delete it, the deletion affects everyone who has access. They will no longer see the folder or its contents. Before you delete a shared folder, make sure no one else needs the files inside.
Free up OneDrive storage by deleting large files
OneDrive gives you 5 GB of free storage. If you are running out of space, deleting large files is the quickest way to make room. Video files, photo libraries, and backup folders often take up the most space.
Before you delete anything, check what is using your storage. On OneDrive.com, click Settings (the gear icon), then Storage, and you will see a breakdown of what is taking up space. This helps you decide what to delete without accidentally removing something important.
If you delete files to free up space and then change your mind, you have 93 days to restore them from the recycle bin. After that, they are gone permanently and the storage space is yours to use again.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens when I delete a file from OneDrive on my computer?
The file moves to your OneDrive recycle bin and is removed from all your devices where OneDrive is synced. It stays in the recycle bin for 93 days. If you delete it from your computer's regular Recycle Bin instead of the OneDrive folder, it will sync back to OneDrive because the deletion did not happen in the right place.
Can I recover a file after I empty the recycle bin?
No. Once you empty the recycle bin, the files are permanently deleted and cannot be restored. Make sure you really want to delete everything before you click "Empty recycle bin."
If I delete a shared folder, can the other people still see it?
No. If you own the shared folder and delete it, everyone loses access immediately. If someone else shared the folder with you and you remove it, only you stop seeing it — the folder remains for everyone else.
Does deleting files from OneDrive free up storage on my computer?
Yes. OneDrive syncs files to your computer, so they take up local storage. Deleting them from OneDrive removes them from your computer as well, freeing up that space.
How long do files stay in the OneDrive recycle bin?
Files stay in the recycle bin for 93 days. After that, they are automatically and permanently deleted. You do not need to do anything — the deletion happens on its own.