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SSC2903's avatar
SSC2903
Copper Contributor
Feb 06, 2025

Lost all Onedrive files

I manage my Onedrive files primarily on my desktop and when I went into my computer today I couldn’t access any file because they all had the red X sync error. Then I went into the web to access them...
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NikolinoDE's avatar
NikolinoDE
Platinum Contributor
Feb 13, 2025

Are a few things you can check to try and recover them. Here are some possible solution approaches:

1. Check if You're Signed Into the Correct Account

Since you have multiple accounts (two for work and one personal), ensure that you're signed into the correct personal OneDrive account:

  • Web: Go to OneDrive online and check your email in the top-right corner.
  • Windows: Click the OneDrive icon in the system tray > Help & Settings > Settings > Account and verify you're using your personal account.

2. Check Another Device or Web Login

  • Try accessing OneDrive from another device (e.g., phone, tablet, different PC).
  • Sometimes files appear missing due to sync errors, but they may still be on another device.

3. Look in OneDrive's Recycle Bin & Restore Options

  • In OneDrive online, check the Recycle Bin (left sidebar).
  • If files were deleted, you may be able to restore them from there.
  • If nothing is in the Recycle Bin, go to Settings > Restore your OneDrive (if you have a Microsoft 365 subscription, this allows you to restore to an earlier version from the last 30 days).

4. Check the "Personal Vault" (if enabled)

  • If you use Personal Vault, files may still be locked inside. Open the Vault to check.

5. Use Windows File History or Backups

If you had File History or Backup and Restore enabled on your PC:

  • Open File Explorer > Right-click your OneDrive folder > Properties > Previous Versions.
  • Check if you can restore an older version of the folder.

6. Search for Files in OneDrive Web

  • Try searching for a specific file name in OneDrive Web.
  • If the files were moved instead of deleted, they may be in a different folder.

7. Check If Work IT Deleted or Overwrote Your OneDrive

  • Your work's IT updates shouldn’t affect your personal OneDrive, but if you were signed into your personal account on your work laptop:
  • IT could have deleted or disconnected your OneDrive.
  • If your personal files were stored on your work OneDrive instead of your personal one, they may have been removed. The text and steps were edited with the help of AI.

 

My answers are voluntary and without guarantee!

 

Hope this will help you.