SharePoint Site Deletion: What Admins Need to Know

SharePoint site deletion removes all site content including document libraries, lists, subsites, and connected Microsoft 365 resources such as Outlook mailboxes, calendars, and Teams channels. Deleted sites stay in the Recycle Bin for 93 days before permanent removal.

Admins can restore any site type using SharePoint admin center credentials. This guide covers how to delete classic and modern sites via the admin center, permanently remove sites using PowerShell, restore deleted sites, and the key differences between closing and deleting a SharePoint site.

Key takeaways:

  • When admins delete a SharePoint site, it stays as a deleted site for 93 days.
  • You can use the SharePoint admin center to delete classic and modern sites.
  • You can restore all types of sites with the permissions of a SharePoint administrator.

What Happens When You Delete a SharePoint Site?

When admins delete a SharePoint site, it stays as a deleted site for 93 days. When you delete a communication site or team site, you also delete any pages, content, and user information including documents, document libraries, and lists. Deleting a site deletes everything within it, including:

  • Document libraries and files
  • Lists and list data
  • Site settings and history
  • Any subsites and their contents

You should notify the site admins and any subsite owners before you delete a site, so they can move their data to another location, and tell users when the sites will be deleted.

How To Delete a Site in the New SharePoint Admin Center?

You can use the SharePoint admin center to delete both classic and modern sites. SharePoint administrators can also delete sites connected to Microsoft 365 groups.

When you delete one of these sites, the associated group and its resources are also removed, including the Outlook mailbox, calendar, and any Teams channels. Here are steps to delete a site in the new SharePoint Admin Center:

  • Go to Active sites in the SharePoint admin center.
  • Now sign in with an account that has admin permissions.
  • Now, select a site.
  • Select Delete, and to confirm, click on Delete.

How To Permanently Delete a SharePoint Site Using PowerShell?

Below image provides steps on how to delete a SharePoint site using PowerShell:

Image Courtesy – Microsoft

How To Perform SharePoint Site Deletion in Simple Steps?

Steps to delete a site or subsite in any version:

Steps to Delete SharePoint in Microsoft 365 Team Site

  1. Tap on Settings.
  2. Click on Site Information> Delete site > Select the checkbox to delete the group.
  3. Now select Delete.

Steps to Delete SharePoint in Microsoft 365 or SharePoint Server 2019 Communication Site

  1. Tap on Settings.
  2. Click on Site Information.
  3. Now choose Delete site > Select the checkbox to delete the site.
  4. Now tap on Delete.

Steps to Delete SharePoint Server 2019 Team Site

  1. Click on the Settings button on the title bar.
  2. Click on Site Information > View all site settings.
  3. Tap on Site Actions > Delete this site > Select Delete

You can follow the above steps to delete sites in SharePoint Classic Experience or earlier versions of SharePoint in Microsoft 365 and SharePoint Server 2016.

How to Restore a Deleted SharePoint Site?

A SharePoint site collection administrator, global admin or SharePoint admin in Microsoft 365 can restore deleted items from the site collection Recycle Bin. If an item is deleted from the site collection Recycle Bin, or it exceeds the retention time, it is permanently deleted.

In the new SharePoint admin center, you can delete, restore all types of sites with the permissions of a SharePoint administrator or more in Microsoft 365. Steps to restore a deleted SharePoint site:

  1. Go to Deleted sites in the SharePoint admin center.
  2. Now sign in with an account that has admin permissions for your organization.
  3. Select the site to restore.
  4. Select Restore.

Note: Restoring a site that belongs to a Microsoft 365 group restores the Microsoft 365 group with its resources. The other group resources are retained for only 30 days, whereas the site is retained for 93.

SharePoint Site Deletion at a Glance

Perform a SharePoint site deletion with utmost care as it removes not only site content but also connected Microsoft 365 resources. On having a clear idea of the 93-day retention window, and restore options, admins can recover sites confidently.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long does SharePoint keep deleted sites before permanently removing them?

SharePoint retains deleted sites up to 93 days before permanently removing them. After 93 days, sites and all content are permanently deleted, including lists, libraries, pages, and any subsites.

2. Can a SharePoint site owner delete their own site?

Yes, site owners can delete their own sites. However, it depends on the site type and whether your organization has disabled manual site deletion in the Microsoft 365 admin center.

3. What is the difference between closing and deleting a SharePoint site?

Closing a site means that the SharePoint site is no longer in use and can eventually be deleted according to a schedule. Deleting a site permanently removes content to Recycle Bin.

Start Migrating Today

Leverage our one-stop migration solution to securely migrate files, folders, emails, chat, hyperlinks, tenants, and more. We have 12+ years of experience in tackling migrations of all sizes and complexities!