Delete Files and Folders in Microsoft OneDrive - WindowsTips.net - Windows Tips and Tricks with Geek

Monday, September 20, 2021

Delete Files and Folders in Microsoft OneDrive

 Microsoft OneDrive logo

Delete Files and Folders in OneDrive

You can delete files and folders in OneDrive from using either your PC or your smartphone. Here’s how to do both.

Delete Files and Folders Using Your PC

To delete files and folders from your OneDrive, open a browser on your PC, go to the OneDrive website, and then log in to your account.

Once you’ve logged in, you’ll be in the “My Files” tab in your account. Here, select the file or folder you want to delete by clicking it with your mouse. You can select multiple files and folders by holding the Ctrl key (Command on Mac) and clicking the files/folders. Selected files and folders will appear in a gray box with a blue checkmark in the top-right corner.

Click a file or folder to select it.

Once a file or folder is selected, the “Delete” option will appear in the menu bar. Click it to delete the selected files and folders.

Click the Delete button in the menu bar.

You can also delete the file or folder stored in OneDrive from your PC. Click the OneDrive icon in the desktop toolbar and then click “Open Folder” to quickly open the OneDrive folder in File Explorer.

Open OneDrive folder on your PC.

Once in the OneDrive folder in File Explorer, select the file or folder you want to delete and then press the Delete key. Alternatively, right-click the file or folder and then click “Delete” from the context menu.

Right-click the file and then click Delete.

Delete Files and Folders Using Your Smartphone

To delete OneDrive files and folders using your mobile device, you’ll need to download the OneDrive app for iOS or Android. Once installed, tap the app icon to launch it.

When your app opens, you’ll be on the “Home” screen. If you know the name of the file or folder you want to delete, tap the Search bar at the top and then type the file or folder name.

Tap the Search bar.

Your recent files will also be displayed on the Home screen. If the file you want to delete isn’t there, you can tap “See All” to the right of Recent Files.

Tap See All.

However, this only shows actual files. To see both files and folders, tap “Files” in the bottom menu.

Tap Files.

Once you find the file or folder you want to delete, tap the three dots to the right of the file or folder name.

Tap the three dots.

In the window that appears, tap “Delete.”

Tap Delete to move the file to the recycle bin.

A pop-up menu will appear asking you to confirm that you want to delete that item. Tap the “Delete” button again.

Tap Delete.

The file or folder is now deleted.

Empty the Recycle Bin

When something is deleted, no matter if it gets deleted from the OneDrive website, the OneDrive folder on your PC, or the mobile app, it gets moved to the Recycle Bin. You’ll want to empty the Recycle Bin to permanently delete everything.

Empty the Recycle Bin Using Your PC

To empty the Recycle Bin using your PC, head back to the OneDrive website and then click “Recycle Bin” in the left-hand pane.

Open the Recycle Bin.

Next, click the item you want to permanently delete. Or, click the bubble next to “Name” at the top of the list to quickly select all items in the Recycle Bin.

Click the dot next to Name to select all items.

Once selected, you’ll see the option to delete the selected items in the header menu. This option will say “Empty Recycle Bin” if you selected all items in the Recycle Bin. Otherwise, it will say “Delete.”

Click Empty Recycle Bin.

A message will appear asking you to confirm that you really want to delete all of the items. Click “Yes” if you’re sure.

Warning: Once you empty the Recycle Bin, you cannot restore the files or folders. Only empty the Recycle Bin if you’re sure you won’t need the files or folders anymore.

Click Yes to permanently delete all items.

The files and folders are now permanently deleted from OneDrive.

Empty the Recycle Bin Using Your Smartphone

To empty the Recycle Bin using your smartphone, open the app and then tap “Files” at the bottom of the screen.

Tap Files.

Next, tap “Recycle Bin” in the bottom-right corner of the screen.

Tap Recycle Bin.

To select an item to delete from the Recycle Bin, press and hold the item with your finger. A blue bubble will appear next to it, indicating that that item is selected. To select multiple items, tap the bubble next to it. To delete the selected items, tap the Trash Can icon in the top-right corner of the screen.

Select the items and tap the trash can.

A pop-up message will appear asking you to confirm that you want to permanently delete the select item(s) from OneDrive. Tap “Delete.”

Warning: You can’t restore items deleted from the Recycle Bin. Be sure you no longer need the file or folder before deleting it.

Tap Delete.

The selected files and folders are now permanently deleted from OneDrive.

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