Forum Discussion
Please help, OneDrive sync and missing/deleted work files
Can you confirm whether both devices were signed in with the same Microsoft account?
Don't panic yet. If the files were recently deleted (within the last 90 days), there's a good chance they can be recovered from OneDrive.
Please try the following:
- Sign in to OneDrive on the web and check the Recycle Bin.
- If the files aren't there, check the Second-stage Recycle Bin (if available).
OR Also, check the Recycle Bin on your PC. If you find the files there, restore them from the PC.
If you find the files in either location, restore them as soon as possible.
If the files were deleted from your laptop or desktop through File Explorer, and those folders were synced with OneDrive or included in Known Folder Move (KFM) (for example, Desktop, Documents, or Pictures), the deletion would be synchronized to OneDrive as well.
In that case, the files may be recoverable from either the local Recycle Bin or the OneDrive Recycle Bin, depending on how and where the deletion occurred. However, if the files were deleted directly from the OneDrive web portal, they would only be available in the OneDrive Recycle Bin.
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From your description, it sounds like OneDrive may have been syncing the Desktop/Documents folders between both devices using the same account. In that case, deleting files on one device can also delete them from OneDrive and other synced devices.
As a best practice, avoid using the same OneDrive account to sync personal and work files across different devices. If possible, use separate accounts or disable Desktop/Documents backup for PC that shouldn't share the same files.