how do I retrieve a deleted file

Hello Renee Springer-Maynard,

Welcome to the Microsoft Community Support!

In order to recover a deleted file, it depends on where and how it was deleted. Here are few steps which you can try:

1. Open the Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash (Mac).
2. Look for the deleted file, right-click it, and select Restore.
3. If you have File History enabled (Windows), go to the folder where the file was stored.
4. Right-click inside the folder and select Restore previous versions.
5. On Mac, try Time Machine if backups were enabled:
   1. Open Time Machine.
   2. Navigate to the file location and restore the latest version.
6. If you saved the file to OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox, check their trash/recycle bin.
7. Restore it from there before the service deletes it permanently.
8. If the file was permanently deleted, you can try:
   • Recuva (Windows)
   • EaseUS Data Recovery (Windows/Mac)
   • Disk Drill (Mac)
9. If you have system restore or backup enabled, you may be able to recover the file.

If the problem persists, please feel free to contact us via Contact Us - Microsoft Support.

Best Regards, Van Johnson | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Things you need to do right after the deletion:

1. Quit the app and stop creating files or adding texts to a file;

2. Check the trash bin to see if there is a copy there;

3. Check backups in local or cloud storage platforms;

4. Try a free file recovery program: Recuva, PhotoRec, Testdisk, Windows File Recovery

Hello Renee,

Thank you for contacting Microsoft Community Support.

The response is regarding to your issue related to that how do you retrieve a deleted file. Microsoft doesn't help with data recovery however I can guide you for some steps, I hope these might help you to resolve your issue.

Step1 - Restore deleted files or folders in OneDrive: If you accidentally delete a file or folder in OneDrive, you may be able to recover it later from the OneDrive recycle bin, and if you're a Microsoft 365 subscriber, you can even restore your entire OneDrive if something goes wrong.

Notes:

• For info about restoring an older version of a file, see Restore a previous version of a file in OneDrive.
• For info about restoring a deleted SharePoint file or folder, see how to restore items from the SharePoint recycle bin.

Go to the OneDrive website, and sign in with either your Microsoft account or your work or school account. In the navigation pane, select Recycle bin and then please select the files or folders you want to restore by pointing to each item and clicking the circle check box that appears, and then click Restore.

Step2 - Restore deleted files or folders from your computer: If you deleted the files or folders from your OneDrive, check your Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash (Mac) to see if your files are there.

To restore files from your Recycle Bin in Windows, open the Recycle Bin, select the files or folders you want to recover, then right-click them and select Restore. The file or folder will be restored to its original folder.

To restore files from your Trash on a Mac, open the Trash, select the files or folders you want to recover, then right-click them and select Put back. The file or folder will be restored to its original folder.

I hope these steps may help you to resolve your issue.

If none of the step works, please contact to Microsoft Live Support Team via Contact Us - Microsoft Support Best Regards,Thomas | Microsoft Community Support Specialist