A file was deleted from Documents. How would you choose a recovery path?

Instruction: Distinguish a local file from a OneDrive-synced file, deletion from an unwanted edit, and recoverable copies from unsupported promises. Protect current versions and coordinate recovery.

Context:

A Windows 11 employee deleted Proposal.docx yesterday. They remember saving it under Documents but do not know whether that folder syncs to their work OneDrive. A colleague has since created a new Proposal.docx in a shared working folder. Backup coverage, sync status, and retention settings have not been checked. You are authorized to assist with individual-file recovery; broad account restores require the storage owner.

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I'd establish whether the deleted file was local or in the work OneDrive, because Documents alone does not tell us where a recoverable copy exists. I'd identify the original path, deletion time, and desired version with the user. I'd also protect the colleague's new Proposal.docx before any restoration that might replace it or create a sync conflict...

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