You can permanently delete a SharePoint site in 2 ways. Delete the site first in Active sites. Microsoft keeps a deleted site for 93 days. Then remove it from Deleted sites to free the URL. Group connected team sites need PowerShell for that step. You need SharePoint admin rights or higher. Never delete the root site. Hub sites need to be unregistered first.
A site you deleted still sits in Deleted sites and still holds its URL.
You get 2 ways to remove it for good and the limits Microsoft lists.
What Happens When You Delete a Site?
Microsoft keeps a deleted site for 93 days. Everything inside goes with it, including libraries, lists, settings and subsites.
Deleted sites in the Recycle Bin do not count toward storage usage. Storage totals lag by up to 48 hours. Our guide on the SharePoint storage limit shows how to check your totals.
Only a SharePoint Administrator or higher can delete sites on the Microsoft delete page.
How do You Remove a Site in the SharePoint Admin Center?
Who it suits. SharePoint admins who need a site gone or its URL free. Extra application. None needed.
- Open Active sites. Sign in to the SharePoint admin center with an admin account and select Active sites.
- Select the site. Select the site in the left column.
- Delete the site. Select Delete and then select Delete again to confirm.
- Open Deleted sites. Select the site there and select Delete.
- Confirm the removal. Select Delete again. Microsoft says the URL needs up to 24 hours to become available.
Steps 4 and 5 permanently delete a SharePoint site. Microsoft says this works for every site type except Microsoft 365 group connected sites.
Which PowerShell Command Removes a Deleted Site?
Who it suits. Admins who handle group connected sites or want a script. Extra application. SharePoint Online Management Shell.
- Install the shell. Get the latest SharePoint Online Management Shell from Microsoft.
- Connect as an admin. Sign in as a Global Administrator or SharePoint Administrator with
Connect-SPOService. - Remove the deleted site. Use
Remove-SPODeletedSitewith the URL of the site. - Test first if needed. Add
-WhatIfto preview the result or-Confirmto get a prompt.
The cmdlet needs at least a SharePoint administrator on its Microsoft reference page. Replace the contoso values with your own tenant and site URL.
Why does a Group Connected Site Fail to Delete?
The admin center reports that a site connected to a Microsoft 365 group cannot be permanently deleted. Microsoft says the fix is Remove-SPODeletedSite in PowerShell. The cmdlet deletes only the site and leaves the group in place.
Deleting a group site in Active sites deletes the group and its resources. That includes the Outlook mailbox and calendar and any Teams channels. Microsoft keeps deleted group resources for 30 days.
Sometimes the group is gone from Entra and Deleted groups but the site still points to it. Microsoft's fix for that case has 3 commands for every affected site.
Set-SPOSite -Identity https://contoso.sharepoint.com/sites/sitetoremove -ClearGroupId
Remove-SPOSite -Identity https://contoso.sharepoint.com/sites/sitetoremove
Remove-SPODeletedSite -Identity https://contoso.sharepoint.com/sites/sitetoremoveWhat should You Check Before Removing a Site?
- Site owners. Notify site admins and subsite owners so they can move their data.
- Root site. Never delete it. Microsoft says every SharePoint site becomes inaccessible until you restore it or create a new root site.
- Hub sites. Unregister a hub before you delete it.
- Group resources. Check the group mailbox and Teams channels before you remove a site with a group.
Closing a full tenant instead? Our guide on how to decommission an old Microsoft 365 tenant covers that level.
Which Limits Apply to These Steps?
- Recycle bin stages. I could not open the Microsoft page on SharePoint recycle bin stages. This post covers sites and not file items.
- Holds. The delete page does not mention retention policies, sensitivity labels or holds. Check your compliance settings first.
- Page dates. The delete page shows July 2024 as its last update. Admin center labels can differ today.
- Restore. Microsoft says an admin can restore a site within 93 days. Restore after a permanent delete is not covered.
My Verdict on Deleting a Site
Microsoft permanently deletes a SharePoint site after 93 days if nobody restores it. Delete in Active sites first and give owners time to react. Remove the site from Deleted sites only when you need its URL back or must clear it for good.
Use PowerShell for group connected sites and test with -WhatIf before you confirm.
Key Takeaways
- Microsoft keeps a deleted site for 93 days.
- A deleted site needs a second delete to free the URL.
- Group connected sites need PowerShell for that second delete.
- Never delete the root site.
Next Read
- Decommission an old Microsoft 365 tenant
- Check the site collection administrator in SharePoint Online
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Restore a Deleted SharePoint Site?
Yes. Microsoft keeps deleted sites for 93 days. A SharePoint Administrator can restore one from the admin center.
Does a Deleted Site Count Toward Storage?
No. Microsoft says deleted sites in the Recycle Bin do not count toward storage usage. Storage totals lag by up to 48 hours.
Do You Need a Second Delete to Reuse the URL?
Yes. Microsoft says you must permanently delete the site to reuse its URL. The URL can take up to 24 hours to become available.
Is It Safe to Delete the Root Site?
No. Microsoft says every SharePoint site becomes inaccessible until you restore it or create a new root site. Replace the root site instead.
Can PowerShell Delete a Group Connected Site?
Yes. Microsoft says the admin center cannot do it so you use Remove-SPODeletedSite. The cmdlet removes the site and leaves the group in place.
Does the Admin Center Permanently Delete Group Connected Sites?
No. Microsoft says those sites need PowerShell for the permanent step. Deleting one in Active sites also deletes the group and its resources.
Does the PowerShell Cmdlet Need Admin Rights?
Yes. Microsoft lists SharePoint administrator as the minimum permission. Connect with a Global Administrator or SharePoint Administrator account.
Jamie blends strategic marketing insight with technical writing, turning migration and recovery topics into guidance that works for technical and general readers alike.
Published 11 November 2026. Steps and limits come from the Microsoft Learn pages on deleting a site, restoring deleted sites, Remove-SPODeletedSite and group connected sites that cannot be deleted. Check the pages again before you delete anything because Microsoft updates them.