Delete items from the site collection recycle bin
Applies ToSharePoint Server Subscription Edition SharePoint Server 2019 SharePoint Server 2016 SharePoint in Microsoft 365

Items that have been deleted from a SharePoint in Microsoft 365 site Recycle Bin are kept in the site collection Recycle Bin (or Second-stage Recycle Bin). If you're a site collection administrator, you can permanently remove these items by deleting them from the site collection Recycle Bin.

  • The SharePoint Recycle Bin is different from the Recycle Bin in Windows. To recover files deleted in Windows from your desktop or apps, try the Windows Recycle Bin first. To put your Windows Recycle Bin on your desktop, see Show or hide the Recycle Bin.

  • If you're looking for the Recycle Bin for OneDrive, go to your OneDrive site and select Recycle bin in the left pane.

Delete items or empty the Second-stage Recycle Bin in SharePoint

When you delete an item from the Second-stage or Site Collection Recycle Bin, it is permanently removed.

  1. On modern team sites and classic sites (subsites) in the left pane, choose Recycle bin.

    Choose Recycle Bin on left navigation.

    On modern communication sites, select Site contents, and then click Recycle bin in the top navigation bar. If you don't see the Recycle Bin, and you do have permissions, try the following steps.

    1. Click Settings Settings button from SharePoint Online and then click Site settings. If you don't see Site settings, click Site information and then click View all site settings. Some pages might require you to select Site contents, and then Site settings.

    2. On Site Settings, under Site Collection Administration, select Recycle bin.

      Settings under Site Collection admin heading with Recycle highlighted
  2. At the bottom of the Recycle bin page, click Second-stage recycle bin.

    SharePoint online recycle bin with Second-level link highlighted
  3. Do one of the following:

    • Delete one or more items    Hover and click the circle next to the item(s) you want to delete and then click Delete.

      SharePoint Online 2nd level recycle with delete button highlighted
    • Delete all items    Clear all check marks and click Empty recycle bin.

      SharePoint Online 2nd level recycle bin with Empty recycle bin button highlighted
  4. In the confirmation box, click Delete.

Delete items or empty the Second-stage Recycle Bin in SharePoint Servers 2019 and 2016

When you delete an item from the Second-stage or Site Collection Recycle Bin, it is permanently removed.

  1. On the left Quick Launch pane of the Site page, choose Recycle Bin.

    Choose Recycle Bin on left navigation.

    If you don't see the Recycle Bin, and you do have permissions, try the following steps.

    1. Click Settings Office 365 Settings button and then click Site settings.

    2. Click Recycle bin under Site Collection Administration.

      Settings under Site Collection admin heading with Recycle highlighted
  2. On the Recycle Bin page click Second-stage recycle bin.

    SharePoint 2016 Second-level recycle bin link
  3. Do one of the following:

    • Delete one or more items    Click the check box next to the item(s) you want to delete and then click Delete Selection.

    • Delete all items    Click the box next to Type, and then click Delete Selection.

      SharePoint 2016 2nd level recycle bin with all items selected and delete highlighted
  4. Select OK.

Delete items using Windows PowerShell

If you need to delete many items in the Recycle Bin, you can use PowerShell to save time. For more information, see PnP PowerShell overview.

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