how to delete a sharepoint site

When you no longer need a SharePoint 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 SharePoint Online or SharePoint Server, you need to be an admin or have Full Control permissions.

If you're not sure of the version of SharePoint you're using, see Which version of SharePoint am I using?, or ask your administrator.

Note: Some functionality is introduced gradually to organizations that have opted in to the First Release program. This means that you may not yet see this feature or it may look different than what is described in the help articles.

Experienced with SharePoint? See Delete a site or subsite quicksteps below.

Delete an Office 365 group-connected team site or communication site

Note: When you delete a site, you also delete any subsites, content, and user information that are part of the site, including documents, document libraries, lists and list data. If you delete a group connected team site, you also delete the Office 365 group that is associated with it.

team site header

Navigate to the group-connected team site or communication site you want to delete.

Note: When you delete a team site, it also deletes the Office 365 group that is connected with the site.
Click Settings at the top of the site and then click Site information.
At the bottom of the Edit site information panel, click Delete site.

Note: Some functionality is introduced gradually to organizations that have opted in to the First Release program. This means that you may not yet see this feature or it may look different than what is described in the help articles.
For team sites, in the Delete Office 365 group pane, confirm that you want to delete the Office 365 group and the associated site or files, and click Delete.

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

For communication sites, in the Delete this site dialog box, click Delete.

Delete an SharePoint Online subsite or a classic experience site

When you delete a site, you also delete 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 permission 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:

Navigate to the site or subsite you want to delete.
Click Settings at the top of the site or subsite, and click Site settings.
Click Delete this site under the Site Actions heading on the Site Settings page.

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 site that's connected to an Office 365 group.
On the Delete This Site page, verify that you are deleting the correct site, and then click Delete.

Experienced with SharePoint? See Delete a site or subsite quicksteps below.

Delete a SharePoint Server site or subsite

When you delete a site, you also delete 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:

Navigate to the site or subsite you want to delete.
Click Settings at the top of the site or subsite, and then click Site settings.

If you're using SharePoint Server 2010, click Site Actions and then click Site Settings.
Click Delete this site under the Site Actions heading on the Site Settings page.

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 site that's connected to an Office 365 group.
On the Delete This Site page, verify that you are deleting the correct site, and then click Delete.

Delete a site or subsite quicksteps

If you're experienced with SharePoint, here's how to delete a site or subsite in any version.

SharePoint version	Steps to delete	Confirmation
SharePoint Online team site	Settings > Site Information> Delete site	Check box to delete group, and then click Delete
SharePoint Online communication site	Settings > Site Information> Delete site	Click Delete
SharePoint Online Classic Experience or earlier versions of SharePoint Online	Settings > Site settings> Site Actions > Delete this site	Click Delete
SharePoint Server 2016, 2013	Settings > Site settings> Site Actions > Delete this site	Click Delete
SharePoint Server 2010	Site Actions > Site settings > Site Actions > Delete this site	Click Delete

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

For admins and IT pros

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Updated August 3, 2017 thanks to customer feedback.

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