SharePoint allows you to delete sites, but doing so has broad implications for data, permissions, and connected Microsoft 365 services. This article explains who can delete a site, what happens when you delete one, whether you can delete a site connected to a Team, the steps, and best practices to follow.

Who Can Delete a SharePoint Site

To delete a SharePoint site, you must have the appropriate administrative permissions:

• Site Admin - A site admin is a person who has the Owner role for a site. This role is required to delete communication sites or team sites. Team group owners are automatically site admins. 

What Happens When a SharePoint Site Is Deleted

Deleting a site permanently removes all content, including:

• Pages, documents, libraries, lists, and list data.
• Any subsites and their content.
• Site settings and history.

Deleted sites go into the SharePoint Deleted Sites (Recycle Bin) for 93 days before permanent removal. Understanding Microsoft and Google Data Retention Policies

Can You Delete a SharePoint Site Without Deleting the Associated Microsoft Team?

For Microsoft 365 Group–connected team sites (which back a Team in Microsoft Teams):

• Deleting the SharePoint site deletes the entire Microsoft 365 Group, including
  • the Team in Microsoft Teams
  • the Outlook mailbox & calendar
  • Planner plans
  • other connected resources

So, you cannot delete a Team-connected SharePoint site without deleting the associated Team. If you try to delete the site from within the site itself, SharePoint will warn you that the linked group and all connected resources will also be deleted.

Steps to Delete a SharePoint Site

1. Navigate to the site you want to delete.
2. Select Settings (gear icon) → Site information.
3. Select Delete site.
4. Check the confirmation box and select Delete.

This works for modern team and communication sites.

Best Practices Before Deleting a Site

Before you remove a SharePoint site, follow these best practices to avoid accidental data loss:

Notify Site Members and Stakeholders

Notifying site admins, members, subsite owners, and external guests that you have shared documents with before deletion so they can move or preserve data.

Give Users Time to Preserve Data

Ensure users have time to export, move, or archive important documents.

Review Retention Policies

If a retention policy applies, the site may not be deletable until the policy is removed.

Consider Backing Up Important Data

If needed, back up documents or libraries before deletion.

Restoring a Deleted Site

Check the SharePoint recycle bin. If it is not there, please use Data Recovery Request.