How to Access the Recycle Bin in SharePoint

April 4, 2026·2 min read

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Here's how to access the recycle bin in Sharepoint

Navigate to the SharePoint site where you need to access the Recycle Bin from the main dashboard.
Look for the left navigation panel on your SharePoint site page.
Click on the 'Recycle Bin' option in the left-side navigation menu.
View your deleted files and folders that are now displayed in the Recycle Bin interface.
Choose to either restore selected items back to their original locations or delete them permanently.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long do files stay in the SharePoint Recycle Bin?

Files typically remain in the SharePoint Recycle Bin for 30 days by default, though this can vary based on your organization's settings. After this period, items are automatically moved to the second-stage recycle bin or permanently deleted.

Can I recover files that were deleted by someone else in SharePoint?

Yes, if you have the appropriate permissions, you can see and restore files deleted by other users in the same site. Site administrators can access the second-stage recycle bin to recover items that have been removed from the first-stage recycle bin.

What's the difference between restoring and permanently deleting from the Recycle Bin?

Restoring items returns them to their original location with all permissions and metadata intact. Permanently deleting removes items completely from SharePoint, making them unrecoverable through normal means.