Deleting a notebook in OneNote removes the entire folder and all its pages at once

When you delete a notebook in OneNote, you're removing the whole container — every page, section, and note inside it disappears. The process is straightforward, but it works differently depending on whether you're using OneNote on Windows, Mac, the web, or a mobile device. The notebook goes to your recycle bin first, so you have a window to recover it if you change your mind.

Before you delete, check whether the notebook is stored locally on your computer or synced to OneDrive or Microsoft 365. This matters because cloud-based notebooks can sometimes be recovered from your OneDrive recycle bin even after OneNote empties its own trash, but local notebooks are harder to get back. If you're unsure, look at the notebook name in OneNote — cloud notebooks usually show a cloud icon next to them.

Key Takeaways

  • Deleted notebooks go to OneNote's recycle bin for 93 days before permanent removal, giving you time to change your mind.
  • The deletion process differs between OneNote for Windows, OneNote on the web, and OneNote for Mac, so use the steps that match your version.
  • Cloud-based notebooks synced to OneDrive can sometimes be recovered from OneDrive's recycle bin even after OneNote deletes them.
  • Local notebooks stored only on your computer are harder to recover once deleted, so back them up first if you might need them later.

Delete a notebook in OneNote for Windows

Open OneNote and look at the left sidebar where your notebook names appear. Right-click directly on the notebook name you want to delete — not on a section or page inside it, but on the notebook title itself. A menu will pop up with several options.

Click Delete Notebook from that menu. OneNote will ask you to confirm the deletion. Click Delete again to proceed. The notebook disappears from your sidebar immediately, but it moves to OneNote's recycle bin rather than vanishing completely. You can recover it from there within 93 days if you need to.

Delete a notebook in OneNote on the web

Go to OneNote.com and sign in with your Microsoft account. Find the notebook you want to delete in your notebook list on the left side of the screen. Hover your mouse over the notebook name until a three-dot menu icon appears to the right of it.

Click those three dots and select Delete Notebook from the dropdown menu. OneNote will ask you to confirm. Click Delete to move the notebook to the recycle bin. Like the Windows version, the web version keeps deleted notebooks in a recycle bin for 93 days, so you can restore it during that time if you decide you need it back.

Delete a notebook in OneNote for Mac

Open OneNote and locate the notebook in the left sidebar. Right-click on the notebook name itself — make sure you're clicking the notebook, not a section inside it. A context menu will appear with several choices.

Select Delete Notebook from the menu. OneNote will prompt you to confirm the deletion. Click Delete to send the notebook to the recycle bin. The notebook is removed from your sidebar but remains recoverable for 93 days through OneNote's recycle bin feature.

Delete a notebook in OneNote for iPhone or Android

Open the OneNote app and go to the Notebooks tab at the bottom of the screen. Find the notebook you want to delete and swipe left on it (iPhone) or long-press it (Android). A delete option will appear.

Tap Delete to confirm. The notebook moves to the recycle bin on your device. Mobile versions of OneNote also keep deleted notebooks for a period before permanent removal, though the exact timeframe can vary depending on your device and OneNote version.

Recover a deleted notebook from the recycle bin

If you deleted a notebook by mistake, you can usually get it back. In OneNote for Windows and Mac, look for a Recycle Bin option in the notebook list on the left sidebar — you may need to scroll down to see it. Click on it to view notebooks you've deleted.

Find the notebook you want to restore and right-click on it. Select Restore Notebook or Restore from the menu. The notebook returns to your main notebook list with all its contents intact. In OneNote on the web, click the settings gear icon, then look for Recycle Bin in the menu to find and restore deleted notebooks.

What happens to cloud notebooks stored on OneDrive

If your notebook was synced to OneDrive or Microsoft 365, deleting it from OneNote doesn't immediately erase the files from OneDrive. The notebook folder remains in OneDrive's recycle bin for 93 days after you delete it from OneNote. This gives you a second chance to recover the notebook even if you empty OneNote's recycle bin.

To recover a cloud notebook from OneDrive, go to OneDrive.com, click the Recycle Bin option on the left sidebar, and look for your notebook folder. Right-click it and select Restore. The notebook folder returns to your OneDrive, and you can then re-open it in OneNote. Local notebooks stored only on your computer don't have this safety net, so back them up before deleting if you think you might need them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete just one section or page instead of the whole notebook?

Yes. Right-click on a section name or page name in the sidebar and select Delete Section or Delete Page. These also go to the recycle bin first, so you can recover them if needed. Deleting a section removes all pages inside it, but the notebook itself stays.

What if I don't see a recycle bin option in OneNote?

The recycle bin may not appear until you've deleted something. After you delete a notebook, check your notebook list again — the recycle bin should now be visible. If you're using OneNote on the web, the recycle bin is in the settings menu rather than the main sidebar.

Can I delete a shared notebook?

You can delete a shared notebook from your own copy of OneNote, but this only removes it from your account. Other people who have access to the shared notebook can still see it in their OneNote. If you want to permanently remove a shared notebook for everyone, the notebook owner needs to delete it from their account.

How long do notebooks stay in the recycle bin?

OneNote keeps deleted notebooks in the recycle bin for 93 days. After that time, they are permanently deleted and cannot be recovered through OneNote. Cloud notebooks on OneDrive have their own separate 93-day recycle bin, so you may be able to recover them from OneDrive even after OneNote's recycle bin empties.

Will deleting a notebook free up storage space on my computer?

Deleting a local notebook removes it from your hard drive and frees up space, but only after it's permanently deleted from the recycle bin — moving it to the recycle bin doesn't free up space yet. Cloud notebooks stored on OneDrive don't take up local storage, so deleting them from OneNote doesn't affect your computer's available space.