How To Delete SharePoint Site

Introduction

Overview of SharePoint Site Deletion

SharePoint in Microsoft 365 is a powerful platform that enables Australian businesses to manage content, collaborate, and streamline operations across communication sites, team sites, and hub sites. Whether you’re using a Modern SharePoint site, a Classic SharePoint site, or a SharePoint Server 2019 environment, there may come a time when a SharePoint site is no longer needed. Deleting a SharePoint site helps maintain a clean SharePoint environment, ensures compliance with retention policies, and prevents exceeding information storage limits. Before proceeding, site administrators and SharePoint site owners should review configuration settings, retention period requirements, and data backup strategies to protect crucial data and comply with legal hold or SQL content database backup obligations.

Prerequisites for Deleting a SharePoint Site

Required Permissions

To delete a SharePoint site, you need the appropriate site permissions. Typically, you must be a Site Owner with Full Control, a SharePoint administrator, or an Office 365/Microsoft 365 admin account. If the SharePoint site is associated with a hub site, a Microsoft Team, a Teams channel, or a Microsoft 365 Group, additional permissions may be needed to handle connected resources, Exchange Online settings, and Teams usage reports.

Backup and Data Review

Before content deletion, always back up critical documents libraries, list data, and other crucial data. Use SharePoint Migrator or SharePoint data migration tools to export document libraries and site contents to a secure storage location. Site Inventory Tools and Site Analytics can help identify which documents libraries, SharePoint pages, and site templates contain important data. Consider creating a SQL content database backup or leveraging Power Automate and Microsoft Graph to automate your data retention policy. A thorough backup strategy protects your SharePoint environment and ensures compliance with regulatory retention period requirements.

Communication

Communication with all stakeholders is vital before deleting any SharePoint site. Notify team members using the Office 365 App Launcher, Teams client, or email to ensure everyone understands the impact on site hierarchy, site collection resources, and connected Microsoft 365 suite applications. This is especially important when dealing with communication sites, team sites, or Modern sites associated with Microsoft Viva Learning or Microsoft 365 Copilot AI-powered productivity tools, as deletions can impact workflows across the Microsoft 365 suite.

Step-by-Step Guides: How to Delete a SharePoint Site

Deleting a Modern SharePoint Site (SharePoint Online/SharePoint Server 2019)

1. Open the SharePoint site URL of the Modern SharePoint site you wish to delete.
2. Click the settings (gear) icon in the top-right corner of the SharePoint layout.
3. Select Site Information.
4. Choose Delete site and follow the prompts to confirm content deletion.
5. Use Site Analytics and the Teams usage report to review site usage patterns before finalising deletion. Ensure a Site administrator verifies that all configuration settings and task lists have been documented.

Deleting a Classic SharePoint Site or Classic Subsite

1. Open the Classic SharePoint site or Classic subsite you want to delete.
2. Click the settings icon.
3. Choose Site Settings.
4. Under Site Actions, select Delete this site.
5. Confirm the deletion after reviewing Site Contents and the Site usage report to identify any crucial data or retention policy concerns.

Deleting via PowerShell

1. Install the SharePoint Online Management Shell or SharePoint module on your computer.
2. Open the management shell as an Administrator.
3. Connect to your SharePoint Admin Center with PowerShell cmdlets:

   Connect-SPOService -Url https://yourtenant-admin.sharepoint.com
   Remove-SPOSite -Identity https://yourtenant.sharepoint.com/sites/yoursite
   

4. Verify deletion using the Cmdlet command by checking the Recycle bin and the Site Collection Recycle Bin within the SharePoint Admin Center. Review online documentation for additional PowerShell cmdlets and configuration settings.

Deleting via SharePoint Admin Center

1. Access the Admin centers from the Office 365 App Launcher and select SharePoint Admin Center.
2. Navigate to Sites > Active sites.
3. Locate the root site or communication site to be deleted within the site collection.
4. Select the SharePoint site and click Delete. Use an admin account for proper authorisation and ensure compliance with tenant settings and retention policies.

Table: Comparison of Site Deletion Methods

Method	User Permissions Needed	Complexity	Recovery Options
Site Information	Site Owners/Full Control	Low	Recycling Bin/Site Collection Recycle Bin
PowerShell Cmdlets	SharePoint Administrator/Admin	Moderate	Recycling Bin/Site Collection Recycle Bin
SharePoint Admin Center	SharePoint Administrator/Admin	Low	Recycling Bin/Site Collection Recycle Bin

Important Considerations

Data Loss and Recovery

After deletion, data is moved to the Recycling Bin or the Site Collection Recycle Bin for a standard retention period of 93 days in SharePoint Online. During this period, site administrators can restore deleted SharePoint pages, document libraries, and list data. If a retention policy or legal hold is in place, verify compliance with Microsoft 365 retention rules before deletion. For added security, perform a SQL content database backup or use AI-powered productivity tools like Microsoft 365 Copilot to assist with data management.

Impact on Users and Groups

Deleting a SharePoint site impacts all associated users, including Microsoft 365 Groups, Teams channels, and Exchange Online mailboxes. Review Teams usage reports and ensure that communication sites, team sites, and hub site connections are properly updated. Notify users via Microsoft Team or the Office 365 App Launcher to avoid workflow disruptions.

Compliance and Governance

Confirm that your site deletion process aligns with legal hold requirements, tenant settings, and organisational compliance policies. Site administrators should document site hierarchy changes, configuration settings, and content deletion for auditing purposes. Maintaining detailed task lists ensures transparency and accountability.

Troubleshooting and Common Issues

Permission Denied or Option Missing

If you encounter permission errors, verify your Site Permissions and role. Ensure your admin account has the required rights and that no restrictions from Exchange Online or tenant settings are blocking content deletion.

Site Still Visible After Deletion

A deleted SharePoint site might still appear in search results or navigation menus due to caching. Refresh your browser, clear cache, or verify the site hierarchy in the SharePoint Admin Center to confirm that no orphaned Classic sites or Modern sites remain.

Other Technical Issues

Issues with PowerShell cmdlets, site templates, or configuration settings can often be resolved by consulting online documentation or contacting the Northwestern IT Service Desk for advanced support.

FAQ

1. How long does a deleted SharePoint site stay in the Recycle bin?
   Deleted SharePoint sites remain in the Recycling Bin or Site Collection Recycle Bin for 93 days.
2. Can I delete a SharePoint site if I am not a site owner?
   No, only site owners, SharePoint administrators, or Microsoft 365 admins with Full Control can delete a site.
3. What happens to the site’s content when I delete it?
   All site contents, including document libraries, list data, and SharePoint pages, are moved to the Recycling Bin within the retention period.
4. Can I recover a deleted site after the retention period?
   No, unless a SQL content database backup or prior Data Backup exists.
5. Where can I find deleted sites to restore them?
   Go to the SharePoint Admin Center > Deleted sites within the Microsoft 365 suite.

Best Practices and Recommendations

• Backup Regularly: Perform data backup of document libraries and list data before deletion.
• Communicate Clearly: Use Microsoft Team, Teams client, or Office 365 App Launcher to notify stakeholders.
• Document the Process: Keep records of site hierarchy changes, configuration settings, and cmdlet commands.
• Monitor for Unintended Deletions: Use Site Analytics and task lists to monitor and document content deletion.
• Use AI Tools: Leverage Microsoft 365 Copilot and Power Automate to streamline SharePoint data migration and site administration tasks.

Conclusion

Deleting a SharePoint site requires careful planning, strong governance, and proper execution. Whether you’re managing Modern sites, Classic sites, or sites associated with a hub, always verify site permissions, back up crucial data, and communicate changes clearly to stakeholders. If you need expert help with SharePoint data migration, tenant settings, or managing your broader SharePoint environment, Enabla Technology can assist. Our team of experienced SharePoint administrators and IT Managed Services professionals can guide you through safe content deletion, retention policy compliance, and configuration settings to keep your Microsoft 365 environment secure and efficient.