Backup and Restore View, Delete, or Restore Files from OneDrive Version History

This tutorial will show you how to view, delete or restore previous versions of files from your OneDrive version history.

You can use OneDrive to sync files and folders between your computer and the cloud, so you can get to your files from anywhere - your computer, your mobile device, and even through the OneDrive website at OneDrive.live.com. If you add, change, or delete a file or folder in your OneDrive folder, the file or folder is added, changed, or deleted on the OneDrive website and vice versa. You can work with your synced files directly in File Explorer and access your files even when you’re offline. Whenever you’re online, any changes that you or others make will sync automatically.

You can use OneDrive version history to see, delete, and restore older versions of files in your OneDrive. Version history works with all file types, including Microsoft 365 files, PDFs, CAD files, photos, videos, and more.

If you sign in with a personal Microsoft account, you can retrieve the last 25 versions. If you sign in with a work or school account, the number of versions will depend on your library configuration.

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1 Open the OneDrive app in Windows 11.

2 If not already, sign in to OneDrive with your personal Microsoft account or your work or school account.

3 Right click on a single file you want to view, delete or restore from version history. (see screenshot below step 4)

4 Click/tap on OneDrive, and click/tap on Version history. (see screenshot below)


5 You will now see all available versions of this file in version history. Right click on a version you want, and click/tap on Restore, View online, or Delete version for what you want to do. (see screenshot below)

If you select to restore a previous file version, it will become the current version (top). The previous current version will now become a previous version in the list.

1 Go to the OneDrive.live.com site in your web browser.

2 If not already, sign in to the OneDrive site with your personal Microsoft account or your work or school account.

3 Perform one of the actions below: (see screenshot below)

• Select (check) a single file you want, click/tap on the More commands (3 dots) button on the toolbar, and click/tap on Version history.
• Right click on a single file you want, and click/tap on Version history.

4 Click/tap on the Show more actions for this item (3 dots) button for a version you want. (see screenshot below step 5)

You will need to hover on the file version to see the Show more actions for this item (3 dots) button.

5 You will now see all available versions of this file in version history. Click/tap on Open File, Restore, or Delete Version for what you want to do. (see screenshot below)

If you select to restore a previous file version, it will become the current version (top). The previous current version will now become a previous version in the list.

That's it,
Shawn Brink