How to Recover Deleted Notebooks in OneNote

Updated 14 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

Accidentally deleting a notebook in OneNote can feel like losing hours of notes, but in most cases the notebook is recoverable. This guide walks you through the built-in recovery options in OneNote for Windows, Mac, and the web app, plus what to do if the notebook doesn’t appear right away. You’ll need your Microsoft account sign-in details and access to the device where the notebook was last opened.

What You’ll Need

Your Microsoft account (the one used for OneNote) and password
Access to the device where the notebook was last used (if you’re on a shared or work device, you may need admin permission)
An internet connection (most recovery methods rely on OneDrive sync)

Step-by-Step

Check the OneNote app’s notebook list first. Open OneNote and click or tap the notebook name in the top-left corner. A drop-down list shows all notebooks you’ve opened. If the deleted notebook appears there, simply click it to reopen it. This is the easiest fix and works often.
Look in the Recycle Bin on OneDrive. Since OneNote notebooks are stored in OneDrive by default, go to onedrive.com and sign in. In the left sidebar, scroll down and select Recycle bin. You’ll see files and folders you’ve deleted. Look for a folder named after your notebook (e.g., My Notebook). If you find it, select it and click Restore. After restoring, reopen OneNote and the notebook should reappear in your list.
Restore from OneNote’s built-in backup (Windows only). If you’re on Windows and the notebook was stored locally (not synced to OneDrive), open OneNote, go to File > Open > Backups. OneNote keeps local backups of notebooks you’ve worked on. Select the notebook and click Open Backup. This opens a copy you can then move to a new location.
Check the OneDrive website’s version history. For notebooks synced to OneDrive, go to onedrive.com, navigate to the folder where the notebook was stored (usually Documents), right-click the notebook file (it has a .onetoc2 extension) and choose Version history. You may see earlier versions of the notebook. Select one from before the deletion and click Restore. This works if the notebook was overwritten or corrupted, not if the entire folder is gone.
Use the OneNote web app to open a recovered notebook. After restoring from the Recycle Bin or version history, go to onenote.com and sign in. Your restored notebook should appear in the list. If not, click Open from OneDrive and navigate to the restored folder.
If the notebook was on a shared or work account, contact your IT admin. For business or school accounts, the admin may have a separate retention policy. They can restore a deleted notebook from the SharePoint admin center or Microsoft 365 admin center, often within 30 days of deletion.

Common Mistakes

Deleting the notebook from within OneNote vs. deleting the folder from OneDrive. When you delete a notebook from OneNote, it moves to the OneDrive Recycle Bin. But if you also deleted the folder from OneDrive (or emptied the Recycle Bin), recovery becomes much harder.
Overlooking the OneNote app’s notebook list. Sometimes the notebook isn’t actually deleted—it’s just closed. Check the list before doing anything else.
Assuming local backups exist. OneNote’s backup feature is only enabled if you turned it on in settings. By default, it may not be on.
Restoring the wrong version. In version history, pick a version from before the deletion, not the most recent one (which might be after the deletion).

Tips

Enable OneNote’s automatic backup on Windows. Go to File > Options > Save & Backup and set a backup location. This creates local copies you can use if OneDrive fails.
Check the Recycle Bin quickly. The OneDrive Recycle Bin only keeps items for 30 days (or less if your admin sets a policy). Act fast.
Don’t create a new notebook with the same name. If you create a new notebook with the same name before restoring the old one, it can confuse the sync and make recovery more difficult.
Use the OneNote desktop app for recovery. The web app has fewer recovery options than the Windows desktop app.

Troubleshooting

If the notebook isn’t in the Recycle Bin: It may have been permanently deleted, or the Recycle Bin was emptied. Try the version history route if the notebook file still exists somewhere. Otherwise, check if you have a local backup file (look for .one files in your backup folder).

If the restored notebook doesn’t appear in OneNote: Close and reopen OneNote, or sign out and sign back in. You can also manually open it: File > Open > Browse and navigate to the restored folder on OneDrive.

If you get an error about the notebook being locked: Another device may have it open. Close OneNote on all devices, wait a few minutes, then try again.

If you’re using a work or school account and can’t see the Recycle Bin: Your admin may have disabled it or set a shorter retention. Contact IT support with the notebook name and the approximate deletion date.

If the notebook was stored locally and you don’t have backups: Check your computer’s Recycle Bin (for the .one files). If they were deleted and emptied, recovery is unlikely without third-party file recovery software, which is beyond this guide’s scope.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do deleted notebooks stay in the OneDrive Recycle Bin?

Typically 30 days from deletion, but your administrator may set a shorter or longer period. After that, items are permanently removed.

Can I recover a notebook I deleted months ago?

Only if you have a local backup or if your organization’s retention policy keeps deleted items longer. For personal accounts, the 30-day window is standard.

Does OneNote have an undo for deleting a notebook?

No, there’s no immediate undo. You must go through the Recycle Bin or version history.

Will restoring a notebook from the Recycle Bin bring back all my sections and pages?

Yes, the entire notebook folder is restored, including all sections and pages, as long as the folder was not partially deleted.

What if I deleted a notebook from the OneNote mobile app?

The same rules apply—it goes to the OneDrive Recycle Bin. Use the OneDrive website or app to restore it.

Can I recover a notebook that was shared with me and then deleted by the owner?

No, you only have access to your own notebooks. If the owner deletes it, you lose access unless they restore it.

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