File recovery in SharePoint

Question

How do I recover a file in SharePoint if it was deleted and I need it again?

Solution

It depends on when the file was deleted from your SharePoint site or its recycle bin.

1. If the file was deleted less than 93 days ago, it can be recovered by going to the site's recycle bin or to the site collection's — meaning the university's — recycle bin if it has been deleted from your site's recycle bin.
2. If it was deleted more than 93 days ago, it cannot be recovered. It is permanently deleted from the university's collections.

Recovery from your site's recycle bin

Go to the SharePoint site in question, then:

1. Select Recycle bin from the navigation menu
2. Navigate to the file in question, then select it.
3. Select the Restore option from either:
   1. the toolbar above the navigation menu, or,
   2. secondary-clicking the file name and selecting the Restore option.

Recovery from the site collection's recycle bin

Submit a ticket request to the Microsoft Office 365 Support Request service page or select the Request Help button on this page.

It's been longer than 93 days. Are you sure it can't be recovered?

Only if you submit a request to the Microsoft Office 365 Support Request service page or select the Request Help button on this page can our administrators reach out to Microsoft to attempt a point in time restoration recovery. It is only possible for 14 days beyond the 93 days.

Any later than that, it is permanently deleted.