Table of Contents
Introduction
Sometimes you might need to delete the SharePoint site, either because the project ended or you were just testing out functions or features. Regardless of the reason you are looking into how to delete a SharePoint site, you can do it by following a few simple steps, or you can hire a SharePoint consulting company for this.
However, deleting a site depends on which type of site it is that you have (classic subsite or a modern site). Therefore, here enlisted is a general process for deleting a SharePoint site.
Let’s break down the process.
What Should You Know Before Deleting a File?
Before deleting a SharePoint site, confirm that it is no longer actively used across Microsoft 365. Deletion affects not only site content but also connected workloads, and recovery is time-bound. Start by reviewing usage data, then validate activity beyond SharePoint to avoid removing a site that still supports business operations.
Key checks to complete before deletion:
- Review the SharePoint Site Usage report to check recent visits, file activity, and storage trends.
- For Microsoft 365 Group–connected sites, do not rely on SharePoint usage alone. Low or zero site activity does not indicate the Group is inactive.
- Verify usage across connected services such as Microsoft Teams (channels, meetings, chats), Outlook (group conversations), and Planner / To Do.
- Confirm with the Group Owner whether the Group and its associated resources are still required.
- Check retention policies, legal holds, or compliance requirements that may block deletion or require data preservation.
- Remember that deleted sites go to the SharePoint recycle bin for a limited period, after which recovery is no longer possible.
Completing these checks ensures the site can be safely removed without disrupting active collaboration or violating governance policies.
You may also like: Boosting AI and Automation with SharePoint Consulting Services
Are There Any Subsites You Need to Check?
SharePoint does not allow a parent site to be deleted if it contains subsites. If subsites exist, the deletion attempt fails, and SharePoint displays an error stating that sites with subsites or certain apps cannot be deleted. This safeguard prevents nested content from being removed unintentionally.
Before deleting the main site, take the following steps:
- Check Site Contents to see whether any subsites are listed.
- Use Site hierarchy to identify nested subsites that may not be immediately visible.
- Delete all existing subsites individually before attempting to delete the parent site.
- Re-run the deletion process only after confirming that no subsites remain.
Verifying and removing subsites first prevents deletion errors and ensures the parent site can be removed successfully.
To check if the site has any subsites, you can go through Site Contents or Site hierarchy function.
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Schedule Your Consultation TodayHow to Delete a SharePoint Site or Subsite?
If you are familiar with SharePoint, you can delete a site or subsite directly from the site settings. The steps vary slightly depending on whether you are working with SharePoint Online, Microsoft 365 group–connected sites, or legacy SharePoint Server environments.
Follow the relevant steps below:
- SharePoint Online (Microsoft 365 Team Site)
Go to Settings > Site Information > Delete site.
If the site is connected to a Microsoft 365 Group, you can choose to delete the associated Group, which also removes Teams, Planner, and Outlook resources.
Deletion may be blocked if retention policies, legal holds, or sensitivity labels are applied to the site or Group. - SharePoint Online (Communication Site)
Navigate to Settings > Site Information > Delete site, then confirm.
Ensure no retention policies or eDiscovery holds are assigned, as these prevent deletion even for site owners. - SharePoint Server (Team Site – Subscription Edition / 2019)
Go to Settings > Site Information > View site settings > Site Actions > Delete this site, then confirm deletion.
Verify that no subsites exist and that the site is not governed by custom compliance or backup policies at the farm level. - SharePoint Server 2010 (Legacy environments only)
Navigate to Site Actions > Site Settings > Site Actions > Delete this site, then click Delete.
This applies only to organizations still running unsupported legacy systems and should be handled with caution due to limited recovery and security controls.
Before proceeding with any deletion, confirm ownership permissions, validate activity across connected Microsoft 365 services, and review compliance policies to avoid blocked or partial deletions.
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Get a Consultation TodayConclusion
Deleting a SharePoint site can feel complicated, especially with modern Microsoft 365 Group connections, subsites, and compliance requirements. This guide walks you through the process step by step, ensuring that you check for active users, connected apps, subsites, and retention policies before deletion.
Following the steps in the exact order prevents errors, avoids accidental data loss, and ensures compliance with Microsoft 365 governance standards. By verifying usage reports, confirming Group activity, reviewing subsites, and handling deletion properly, you can remove sites safely and confidently.
Taking a methodical approach not only protects your organization’s data but also streamlines site management and reduces the risk of disruption to business operations. Use this guide as your reference to make SharePoint site deletions precise, safe, and fully compliant.
FAQs
Review the Site Usage report, verify subsites, and check activity across connected Microsoft 365 apps like Teams, Planner, and Outlook.
Yes, but you must confirm that all connected resources and workloads can be removed, or choose to retain the Group while deleting only the site.
SharePoint will block the deletion and display an error. All subsites must be deleted first before removing the parent site.
Yes. Sites under retention policies, eDiscovery holds, or sensitivity labels cannot be deleted until these restrictions are lifted.
Deleted sites go to the SharePoint recycle bin, where they can typically be restored within 93 days for Microsoft 365, after which recovery is not possible.
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