The fastest way to delete a OneNote notebook

To delete a OneNote notebook, right-click on the notebook name in the left sidebar and select Delete notebook. OneNote will ask you to confirm, then move the notebook to your OneDrive or local storage trash folder — it does not disappear immediately. You can recover it from trash for 93 days if you change your mind.

The exact steps depend on whether you use OneNote for Windows, OneNote for Mac, OneNote on the web, or OneNote in Microsoft 365. The web version and the newer OneNote app handle deletion slightly differently, but the core action is the same: find the notebook, delete it, and confirm.

Key Takeaways

  • Right-click the notebook name in the sidebar and choose Delete notebook — this works in OneNote for Windows, Mac, and the web version.
  • Deleted notebooks go to trash, not gone forever, and you can restore them within 93 days on OneDrive or until you empty your Recycle Bin on a local computer.
  • If you share a notebook with others, deleting it removes it from your view but may not delete it from their accounts if they own it.
  • Notebooks stored on OneDrive and local storage delete differently — OneDrive notebooks go to OneDrive trash, while local notebooks go to your computer's Recycle Bin.

Deleting a notebook in OneNote for Windows and Mac

Open OneNote and look at the left sidebar where your notebook names appear. Right-click directly on the notebook name you want to remove. A menu will pop up with several options, including Delete notebook. Click that option.

OneNote will show a confirmation dialog asking if you are sure. Click Delete again to confirm. The notebook then moves to trash — on Windows, it goes to your Recycle Bin; on Mac, it goes to Trash. The notebook disappears from your sidebar immediately, but the files remain recoverable for 93 days on OneDrive or until you manually empty your Recycle Bin on a local computer.

Deleting a notebook in OneNote on the web

Log into OneNote.com with your Microsoft account. In the left sidebar, find the notebook you want to delete. Click the three dots (more options menu) next to the notebook name, then select Delete notebook from the dropdown.

A confirmation message will appear. Click Delete to proceed. The notebook moves to your OneDrive trash folder, where it stays for 93 days. During that time, you can restore it by going to OneDrive.com, opening the trash folder, right-clicking the notebook, and selecting Restore.

What happens to shared notebooks when you delete them

If you created a notebook and shared it with others, deleting it removes the notebook from your account. However, the behavior depends on who owns the notebook. If you are the owner and the notebook is stored on your OneDrive, other people can no longer access it once it is deleted.

If someone else owns the notebook but shared it with you, deleting it only removes your copy from your sidebar — the notebook remains in their account and in the accounts of anyone else they shared it with. You cannot delete a notebook you do not own; you can only remove it from your view by right-clicking and selecting Remove notebook instead of Delete notebook.

Recovering a deleted notebook within 93 days

If you deleted a notebook stored on OneDrive, go to OneDrive.com and sign in. Click the trash icon in the left sidebar to open your trash folder. Find the notebook you deleted, right-click it, and select Restore. The notebook returns to your OneDrive and reappears in OneNote.

For notebooks stored on your local computer, open File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac) and navigate to your Recycle Bin or Trash folder. Search for the notebook name or look through recent deletions. Right-click the notebook folder and select Restore to put it back in its original location. Once you empty your Recycle Bin or Trash, the notebook cannot be recovered.

Permanently deleting a notebook so it cannot be recovered

If you want to ensure a notebook is gone for good, you must empty the trash folder. On OneDrive, go to the trash folder, select the notebook, and click Delete permanently. On your local computer, open the Recycle Bin or Trash, find the notebook, right-click it, and select Delete permanently or Empty Trash.

Once you permanently delete a notebook, OneNote cannot recover it. Microsoft does not retain copies of permanently deleted notebooks unless you have a backup stored elsewhere. If you think you might need the notebook later, leave it in trash rather than permanently deleting it.

Removing a notebook from your sidebar without deleting it

Sometimes you want a notebook out of your sidebar but do not want to delete it. Right-click the notebook name and select Remove notebook instead of Delete notebook. The notebook stays on your OneDrive or computer, but it no longer appears in your OneNote sidebar.

To see the notebook again later, you can add it back by clicking Open notebook or Add notebook in OneNote and navigating to where it is stored. This option is useful if you have notebooks you use rarely but want to keep.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete a notebook if other people are using it?

If you own the notebook, you can delete it even if others are using it. They will lose access immediately. If you do not own it, you cannot delete it — you can only remove it from your sidebar. If you share ownership, check with the other owners before deleting.

What is the difference between Delete notebook and Remove notebook?

Delete notebook removes the notebook from your account and sends it to trash. Remove notebook only hides it from your sidebar but leaves it on your OneDrive or computer. Use Remove if you want to keep the notebook but do not need it visible right now.

How long does OneNote keep deleted notebooks in trash?

OneNote notebooks stored on OneDrive stay in trash for 93 days. Notebooks on your local computer stay in your Recycle Bin or Trash until you manually empty it. After that period or after emptying trash, the notebook cannot be recovered.

Can I delete a notebook on my phone or tablet?

OneNote on mobile devices does not have a delete option in the app. You must delete notebooks through OneNote on the web, OneNote for Windows, or OneNote for Mac. Open the app on a computer, delete the notebook, and it will disappear from your phone or tablet automatically.

What happens to my notes if I delete a notebook?

All notes inside the notebook go to trash along with it. If you recover the notebook within 93 days, all your notes return with it. If you permanently delete the notebook, all notes inside it are permanently deleted as well.