Delete a SharePoint site or subsite

When you no longer need a site or subsite, such as one created for a completed project, you can delete it to free up space. To delete a site or subsite in Office 365 or SharePoint Server, you need to be an admin or have Full Control permissions.

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Delete an Office 365 group-connected site

When you create a team site in Office 365, a corresponding Office 365 group is automatically created. Office 365 group-connected team sites are also created when you create an Office 365 group in Office 365. To delete a SharePoint Online site connected to an Office 365 group, you need to delete the Office 365 group itself. You won't see the Delete this site option in SharePoint Online site settings, even if you're an administrator. To learn how to delete a group in Office 365, see Delete a group.

The subtitle Group will show on group-connected sites

Note: When you delete a group, there can be a delay before the site is removed from SharePoint.

Delete a subsite or sites not connected to an Office 365 group

When you delete a site, you’re also deleting any subsites, content, and user information that are part of the site, including documents, document libraries, lists and list data.

Note: You need to have Full Control permissions to delete a site or subsite. If you don't have this level, talk to your site administrator or manager. See Understanding permission levels in SharePoint.

If you’re sure you want to delete the site, and you have the correct permissions, follow these instructions:

  1. Navigate to the site or subsite you want to delete.

  2. Click Settings  Office 365 Settings button at the top of the site or subsite, and then click Site settings.

    Site Setting drop down
  3. Click Delete this site under the Site Actions heading on the Site Settings page.

    Site settings menu with Delete this site highlighted

    Note:  If Delete this site doesn’t appear on the Site Settings page, you may not have permission to delete this site, or you're trying to delete a top level Office 365 group-connected site.

  4. On the Delete This Site page, verify that you are deleting the correct site, and then click Delete.

    Delete site warning and confirmation screen

Delete a SharePoint Server site or subsite

When you delete a site, you’re also deleting any subsites, content, and user information that are part of the site, including documents, document libraries, lists and list data.

Note: You need to have Full Control permissions to delete a site or subsite. If you don't have this level, talk to your site administrator or manager. See Understanding permission levels in SharePoint.

If you’re sure you want to delete the site, and you have the correct permissions, follow these instructions:

  1. Navigate to the site or subsite you want to delete.

  2. Click Settings  SharePoint 2016 Settings button on title bar. at the top of the site or subsite, and then click Site settings.

    Site settings option under the Settings button

    If you're using SharePoint Server 2010, click Site Actions Site Actions Menu and then click Site Settings.

    Site settings on the site actions menu

  3. Click Delete this site under the Site Actions heading on the Site Settings page.

    Site settings menu with Delete this site highlighted

    Note:  If Delete this site doesn’t appear on the Site Settings page, you may not have permission to delete this site, or you're trying to delete a top level Office 365 group-connected site.

  4. On the Delete This Site page, verify that you are deleting the correct site, and then click Delete.

    Delete site warning and confirmation screen

Deleted a site by accident?

If you accidentally delete a site in SharePoint, it can usually be restored from the site collection recycle bin by a site collection administrator. See Restore deleted items from the site collection recycle bin.

Looking for info on groups, deleting lists, libraries, documents, and permissions?

Delete libraries or lists

Delete a document library in SharePoint

Delete a list in SharePoint

Delete columns in lists or libraries

Delete a column in a SharePoint list or library

Delete a file, folder, link or list item

Delete a file, folder, or link from a SharePoint document library

Delete list items in SharePoint Online

Permissions

Understanding permission levels in SharePoint

Edit and manage permissions for a SharePoint list or library

Groups and group connected sites in Office 365

Learn about Office 365 groups

Create and manage SharePoint groups

Manage Office 365 Group Creation

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Updated April 20, 2017 thanks to customer feedback.

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