Managing SharePoint sites effectively includes understanding how to delete and restore sites when necessary. Whether you’re cleaning up unused sites, decommissioning projects, or dealing with accidental deletions, SharePoint provides structured ways to delete and recover sites.
This guide covers:
✔ How to delete a SharePoint site
✔ How to restore a deleted site
✔ Retention policies and best practices
1. How to Delete a SharePoint Site
Before deleting a site, ensure that:
You have admin permissions (Global Admin, SharePoint Admin, or Site Owner).
Users no longer need access to the site.
All critical data is backed up.
Steps to Delete a SharePoint Site (Modern Experience)
1️⃣ Go to the SharePoint Admin Center
- Sign in to Microsoft 365 Admin Center.
- Click SharePoint under Admin Centers.
2️⃣ Find the Site to Delete
- In the SharePoint Admin Center, click Active Sites.
- Locate the site using the search bar.
3️⃣ Delete the Site
- Select the site.
- Click Delete in the top menu.
- Confirm the deletion.
The site moves to the Deleted Sites (Recycle Bin), where it stays for 93 days before permanent deletion.
2. How to Restore a Deleted SharePoint Site
If a site is deleted accidentally, it can be restored within 93 days.
Steps to Restore a Deleted Site
1️⃣ Go to the SharePoint Admin Center
- Sign in to Microsoft 365 Admin Center.
- Click SharePoint under Admin Centers.
2️⃣ Access the Deleted Sites List
- In the SharePoint Admin Center, click Deleted Sites.
3️⃣ Restore the Site
- Select the site you want to restore.
- Click Restore.
The site will be restored with all content and settings intact.
3. What Happens When You Delete a SharePoint Site?
Team Sites (Microsoft 365 Group-connected)
- Deleting a group-connected team site also deletes the associated Microsoft 365 Group, Outlook mailbox, Planner, and Teams data.
- Restore the Microsoft 365 Group within 30 days via the Microsoft Entra admin center (formerly Azure AD).
Standalone SharePoint Sites
- The site moves to the Deleted Sites section and can be restored within 93 days.
OneDrive and Document Libraries
- If a SharePoint site is deleted, all document libraries, lists, and subsites are deleted as well.
Tip: If you need long-term backups, use Microsoft 365 Backup solutions or export important data before deleting a site.
4. SharePoint Retention Policies and Site Expiration
Organizations can control site deletions and retention using Microsoft 365 compliance policies.
Retention Policy Options
✔ Site Expiration Policies – Automatically delete inactive sites after a set period.
✔ Retention Policies – Retain content for compliance before permanent deletion.
✔ Backup Solutions – Use third-party backup tools for extended recovery.
Tip: Apply a Retention Policy in Microsoft Purview (Compliance Center) to prevent accidental permanent deletion.
5. Best Practices for Managing Site Deletions and Restorations
✔ Review site usage before deletion to ensure it is no longer needed.
✔ Back up important data before deleting a site.
✔ Set retention policies for regulatory compliance.
✔ Monitor the Deleted Sites list for any recovery needs.
✔ Inform users before removing a site to avoid disruptions.