Microsoft 365 Backup: Granular Restore Guide for SharePoint and OneDrive
Learn how to restore individual files and folders in SharePoint and OneDrive with Microsoft 365 Backup. Step by step installation and management guide.
Contents
Overview
Microsoft 365 Backup is a powerful solution for organizations to protect their SharePoint and OneDrive data. The Granular Restore feature, generally available as of April 2026, allows administrators to recover only the specific files and folders needed without having to restore the entire site collection or user account. This feature significantly reduces recovery time (RTO) in cases of data loss while increasing operational efficiency.
Prerequisites and Requirements
To use this feature, the following conditions must be met:
- Microsoft 365 Backup service is active.
- Having the SharePoint Backup Administrator role.
- Data protection cost: Charged at $0.15 per GB per month for protected data.
Note: Granular restore operations are carried out through the Microsoft 365 Admin Center and processing time may vary depending on the amount of data to be restored.
Restoration Steps
Control via Command Line
You can use the Microsoft Graph PowerShell module to track or automate your processes via PowerShell. The following command lists the status of current restore operations:
# List restore operations
Get-M365BackupRestoreOperations -Status InProgressLimitations
The granular restore feature is currently only supported on SharePoint and OneDrive. Different recovery procedures must be followed for Exchange Online data. Additionally, file system limits should be taken into consideration when restoring very large folders.
Warning: If a file with the same name exists in the target location during the restore process, the system may overwrite the existing file. It is recommended to check the target folder before restoring.