1 min read
Microsoft 365PowerShellSharePoint 2013

Deleting Site Collections in Office 365

By default deleting a site collection in Office 365 just moves the site collection to the recycle bin for 30 days, but there is not an option in the admin screen to remove it from the recycle bin.

This is fine, unless you want to use the same url for a new site collection. In this instance you will need to use PowerShell to remove the site collection from the recycle bin. To do this you will need to install the following.

PowerShell v3.0
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=34595

Microsoft Online Services Sign-In Assistant for IT Professionals RTW
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=35588 or http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=39267

SharePoint Online Management Shell
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=35588

Once this is done open up the online management shell and enter the following.
Connect-SPOService “[Full Admin URL]” -credential “Online User Id”
Remove-SPODeletedSite “[Full URL]”

Want more cloud insights? Listen to Cloudy with a Chance of Insights podcast:

Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Tags

Microsoft 365
Like this article?

Comments

Richard Hogan

Richard Hogan

Author & Host

Richard is a Microsoft-focused architect and consultant with deep expertise in Azure, Microsoft 365, cybersecurity, and enterprise cloud migration. He is the founder of The Microsoft Cloud Blog and co-host of the Cloudy with a Chance of Insights podcast. All views expressed are his own.

You might also like

In-depth cloud tech discussions from Microsoft experts.

Expert insights on Microsoft Azure, cloud architecture, and enterprise technology.