How To: Restore an Earlier Version or a Deleted File in OneDrive

Saved over a file or deleted one by mistake? Learn how to get back an earlier version, or restore a deleted file from OneDrive or Teams.

Get back an earlier version

Where
How
In Word, Excel, or PowerPoint
Select File > Info > Version History. Open an older version, then select Restore.
OneDrive on the web
Right-click the file and select Version history. Find the version you want and select Restore.
File Explorer (Windows)
Right-click the file in your OneDrive folder and select OneDrive > Version history.

Restoring an earlier version doesn't delete the newer ones. They stay in the version history too.

Restore a deleted file

1

Open the recycle bin

Go to OneDrive on the web and select Recycle bin. For a file in Teams, open the channel's files, select Open in SharePoint, then Recycle bin.

2

Restore it

Select the file and choose Restore. It goes back to where it was.

  • Deleted files stay in the recycle bin for a limited time, so restore them as soon as you notice.
  • Can't find it in the recycle bin? Contact the IT Service Desk soon. The sooner you ask, the better the chance it can be recovered.

Get help

Still need help? Submit a request through Microsoft Teams, call the IT Service Desk at 612.343.4170, or visit Miller Hall 226.