October 15, 2025

How To Delete A Site From SharePoint

Introduction

For Australian business owners managing modern workplaces in Microsoft 365, effective content management within SharePoint Online is critical. Whether you’re reorganising your digital workspace, maintaining compliance with retention requirements, or simply removing outdated content, understanding how to properly delete a SharePoint site is vital. This expanded guide from Enabla Technology will walk you through everything — from permissions and preparation to recovery and troubleshooting — empowering you to make informed decisions that align with your organisation’s IT strategy.

You’ll also learn about Modern SharePoint sites, Classic SharePoint sites, group-connected team sites, and how to manage deletions within communication sites, Microsoft 365 groups, and Team Sites linked to Microsoft Teams. We’ll explore both SharePoint Online and SharePoint on-premise environments, including best practices for using Backup Tools, Third-party backup solutions, and Site Inventory Tools.

What You Need To Know Before Deleting a SharePoint Site

Before starting, it’s essential to understand SharePoint’s Site hierarchy. Each Site type has unique rules and permissions that determine what happens when you delete it.

  • Site: A standalone environment that may connect to Office 365, Microsoft 365 Groups, or a group-connected team site.
  • Subsite / Classic subsite: Nested beneath another site. Deleting a parent will remove all its subsites and associated Site pages.
  • Site Collection: A top-level grouping of sites managed under a single Site owner. Often linked to hub sites for governance and reporting.

Key Considerations

  • Site Permissions: Only users with Owner or Full Control permissions can delete a site. Ensure the correct roles are configured in Configuration Settings or within the Microsoft Teams Admin Center if connected to Teams.
  • Data Impact: Deleting a site affects Site Contents, version history, and linked services such as CRM platforms, SQL databases, or Microsoft Viva Learning integrations. Always back up crucial data using Backup Tools or a Third-party backup solution.
  • Retention and Legal Hold: Before deleting, review any Legal hold or Retention requirements that may apply under company policy or compliance law.
  • Recycle bin: Deleted sites and files are first moved to the Recycle bin, then to the site collection recycle bin, where they remain for a defined retention period before permanent deletion.

Tip: Use Site Analytics and Site usage reports to identify active content before proceeding.

Preparing To Delete Your SharePoint Site

Preparation ensures minimal data loss and business disruption.

  1. Backup Data – Use Backup Tools, Third-party backup solutions, or the SharePoint Online Management Shell to export content, lists, and modern pages.
  2. Notify Stakeholders – Inform all team members and stakeholders, particularly Team Owners and Site Owners, of planned deletions — especially for Microsoft 365 group-connected team sites.
  3. Audit Content – Use Site Inventory Tools, Site Contents, or the Activity tab to review and classify content. Check page details pane for embedded links or dependencies.
  4. Check Permissions – Confirm your role in Site Permissions or Admin centers. If restricted, request escalation through IT or your Microsoft 365 administrator.

Cleaning Up Content

  • Manually delete outdated Site pages, lists, and documents from the Site Contents feature.
  • Remove or update embedded links and recent sections to avoid broken references post-deletion.
  • Consider using the SharePoint Migrator or SharePoint module tools for exporting SharePoint data migration snapshots.

Caution: Once a site is deleted, recovering unbacked data — especially linked content like Teams usage reports, Microsoft Graph data, or training courses — can be complex.

Step-by-Step Guide: How To Delete a SharePoint Site

A. For Modern SharePoint Sites (SharePoint Online / Microsoft 365 / SharePoint Server 2019+)

  1. Log into Microsoft 365 and open SharePoint Online.
  2. Navigate to the Modern SharePoint site you wish to delete.
  3. Click the Settings (gear icon) in the top-right corner.
  4. Select Site information.
  5. Click Delete site (the Delete site option). If the site is group-connected, you’ll see a checkbox to remove the Microsoft 365 group as well.
  6. Confirm the deletion when prompted.

B. For Classic SharePoint Sites

  1. Access the Classic SharePoint site via your Office 365 dashboard or SharePoint on-premise portal.
  2. Click Settings (gear icon).
  3. Select Site Settings.
  4. Under Site Actions, click Delete this site.
  5. Review warnings and confirm deletion.
Version Navigation Path Notes
SharePoint Online / 2019+ Settings > Site Information > Delete site For Modern SharePoint sites. Group-connected sites may delete linked Teams.
Communication site Same as above Useful for intranet and announcement hubs.
Classic Experience Settings > Site Settings > Site Actions > Delete this site Requires admin access. Found in SharePoint Classic Experience.

What Happens After Deleting a Site

After deletion, the site moves to the Deleted sites section in the SharePoint Admin Center. From there, administrators can restore it within the defined retention period. During this time, all content remains recoverable via the Recycle bin or site collection recycle bin.

If the deleted site was linked to Microsoft 365 Groups, Microsoft Teams, or communication sites, related data such as chat history, linked CRM platforms, and shared documents may also be affected.

How To Recover a Deleted SharePoint Site

If you’ve deleted a site accidentally, recovery is straightforward:

  1. Open the SharePoint Admin Center.
  2. Select Deleted sites from the left-hand navigation.
  3. Locate the site you wish to restore.
  4. Click Restore.

Note: Only admins can perform restorations in most cases. For complex recovery scenarios — like restoring SharePoint layouts, linked SQL databases, or recovering from SharePoint Server 2019 backups — consult a Microsoft MVP or contact Enabla Technology.

Advanced Restoration Tools

  • SharePoint Online Management Shell – Run PowerShell commands to restore or permanently delete sites.
  • Admin centers – Manage cross-service recoveries in Teams, Exchange, and Microsoft 365 Groups.
  • Microsoft Graph API – Retrieve deleted site metadata for auditing or recovery verification.

Common Issues & Troubleshooting

  • Missing Delete Site Option – Check your Site Permissions or if the site is under Legal hold.
  • Deletion Errors – Sites with active hub associations, retention labels, or links to Teams usage reports may block deletion.
  • Access Denied Errors – Ensure you’re logged in as a Site Owner or Team Owner with full rights in the Microsoft TeamsAdmin Center.
  • Data Retention Conflicts – Verify Retention requirements in the Compliance Admin Center before forcing deletions.

For businesses managing large environments, the Targeted Release program helps test changes in SharePoint features before company-wide rollout.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  1. Can I delete a site without deleting its contents?
    No. Deleting a site removes all associated data including lists, modern pages, and libraries.
  2. Will deleting a site delete its subsites?
    Yes. Deleting a parent removes all Classic subsites beneath it in the Site hierarchy.
  3. How do I delete a subsite?
    Navigate to the subsite, go to Site Settings, and choose Delete this site under Site Actions.
  4. What happens to shared files or embedded links?
    Files shared externally or via embedded links will become inaccessible.
  5. Can deleted sites be restored, and by whom?
    Yes, through the SharePoint Admin Center or SharePoint Online Management Shell within the retention period.
  6. Does this affect Microsoft Teams or Viva Learning data?
    Yes. Linked Microsoft 365 group-connected team sites can cause related data in Teams, Microsoft Viva Learning, and CRM platforms to become unavailable.

Best Practices & Final Tips

  • Always Backup First – Use Backup Tools, Third-party backup solutions, and cloud snapshots to secure your crucial data.
  • Understand Site Type – Know whether you’re working in a Modern SharePoint site or Classic SharePoint site.
  • Monitor Site Usage – Use Site Analytics, Site usage, and Teams usage reports to make data-driven decisions.
  • Engage Experts – When in doubt, consult Enabla Technology for assistance with complex SharePoint data migration or configuration.

Conclusion

Deleting a SharePoint site is a powerful but irreversible action without the right safeguards in place. Understanding Site Permissions, Recycle bin, and Retention requirements ensures your business remains compliant and protected. By combining structured preparation, reliable Backup Tools, and expert guidance from Enabla Technology, Australian businesses can confidently manage their Microsoft 365 and SharePoint Online environments with minimal disruption.

Enabla Technology – Simplifying IT. Empowering Businesses.

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