Delete Files from Chat Teams? How to Remove Them

Yes, you can delete files you have sent in Microsoft Teams, but the exact steps depend on whether you want to remove the file from the chat entirely or just stop it from being shared. Deleting a file from a chat removes the message and its attachment for everyone in that chat, while deleting the file from SharePoint or OneDrive removes the underlying file but may leave a broken link in the chat history. This article explains both methods, how to handle files you did not send, and what happens to deleted files.

What Happens When You Delete a File in Teams

Teams stores every file shared in a chat in one of two places: OneDrive for Business (for 1:1 and group chats) or SharePoint (for channel conversations). When you delete a file from the chat message itself, Teams removes the message and its attachment from the conversation view for all participants. However, the file itself remains in its original storage location unless you also delete it there.

If you delete the file from the storage location (OneDrive or SharePoint) instead, the chat message stays but the attachment becomes a broken link. Anyone clicking it will see an error. This distinction matters because you might want to remove a file from a conversation without destroying the actual document, or vice versa.

How to Delete a File You Sent in a Chat

Follow these steps to remove a file you have sent in a 1:1, group, or meeting chat:

1. Open Microsoft Teams and go to the chat where you sent the file.
2. Hover over the file message. Click the More options (⋯) button that appears.
3. Select Delete from the menu.
4. In the confirmation dialog, click Delete again.

The message and its attachment will disappear for everyone in the chat. You cannot undo this action, and the file will no longer be accessible through the chat. If you also want to remove the file from OneDrive or SharePoint, you must do that separately (see the next section).

How to Delete the Underlying File from OneDrive or SharePoint

If you want to permanently delete the file itself, you need to go to its storage location:

• For 1:1 and group chats: Files are stored in your OneDrive for Business. Open OneDrive in a browser, find the file (usually under Files > Microsoft Teams Chat Files), right-click it, and choose Delete.
• For channel conversations: Files are stored in the SharePoint site of the team. Go to the channel, click the Files tab, find the file, and delete it from there.

Deleting the file from storage removes it from all chats and channels where it was shared. However, any chat messages that referenced the file will remain but show a “file not found” error when clicked. If you only want to remove the file from a specific conversation, do not delete it from storage; instead, delete the chat message as described above.

Can You Delete Files Sent by Someone Else?

No, you cannot delete a file message sent by another user in a chat. Only the sender (or a Teams admin with appropriate permissions) can delete a chat message. If you are a team owner, you can delete files from the channel’s Files tab, but that will remove the file for everyone and leave a broken link in the chat. If you need a file removed from a conversation you do not own, contact the sender or your IT administrator.

What About the Teams Chat Files Folder?

Every time you receive a file in a chat, Teams automatically saves a copy to your OneDrive in a folder called Microsoft Teams Chat Files. This folder can grow large and may contain files you never explicitly saved. You can delete files from this folder without affecting the original chat message, but note that deleting a file from this folder only removes your local copy; the sender’s original remains intact. This is a common source of confusion: deleting a file from your OneDrive does not delete it for the sender or other recipients.

Common Problems and Solutions

• Delete option is greyed out: This usually means you are not the sender of the file message, or your organization has disabled message deletion. Contact your IT admin.
• File still appears after deletion: If you deleted the chat message but the file remains in the Files tab of a channel, you need to delete it from SharePoint as well.
• Can’t find the file in OneDrive: Files from chats are stored in a folder named after the chat, not always under “Microsoft Teams Chat Files.” Use the search box in OneDrive to locate it.
• Deleted file still shows in search: Teams search may cache results for a few hours. Wait and search again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does deleting a file in Teams delete it for everyone?

Yes, if you delete the chat message, the attachment is removed for all participants in that chat. However, the underlying file may still exist in OneDrive or SharePoint, so it can be accessed through other means (e.g., direct link or another chat where it was shared).

Can I recover a deleted file from Teams chat?

If you deleted the chat message, the file is moved to your OneDrive or SharePoint recycle bin. You can restore it from there within 30 days (or longer depending on your admin settings). If you deleted the file from storage, it goes to the recycle bin of that location.

How do I delete a file from a channel conversation?

Go to the channel, click the Files tab, find the file, right-click it, and choose Delete. This removes the file from the channel for all members. To also remove the chat message, you must delete the message separately.

Why can’t I delete a file I sent in a chat?

If the delete option is missing, your organization may have disabled message deletion, or you might be using an older version of Teams. Try updating the app or contact your IT administrator.

Will deleting a file from my OneDrive remove it from the chat?

No, the chat message remains, but the attachment becomes a broken link. To remove the message entirely, you must delete the chat message itself.

Can I delete multiple files at once from a chat?

No, Teams does not support bulk deletion of chat messages. You must delete each file message individually.

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