Before you begin
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Install the latest version of OneNote on Windows from the Microsoft Store.
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Sign in with the same Microsoft or work account you used in OneNote for Windows 10.
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Note the notebook name and section where your missing content belongs.
Step 1: Open OneNote on Windows
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Open the OneNote app on Windows.
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If your notebook isn’t listed in the left navigation pane, go to File > Open, then select the notebook you want to access.
Step 2: Find your backup folder
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In OneNote, go to File > Info > Open Backups.
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On the File Explorer, copy and paste the correct path into the address bar (based on your Windows version), then press Enter.
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Windows 10: %AppData%\Local\Packages\Microsoft.Office.OneNote_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache
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Windows 11: %userprofile%\Documents
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Look for a folder named Backup or Backup_UserInitiated.
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Tip: If you see both backup subfolders, open the most recently modified one.
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Step 3: Locate your backup files
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Inside the backup folder, look for files ending in .one; each file represents a section from your notebook.
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Sort by “Date Modified” to find your most recent backups.
Step 4: Open a backup section or page
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Double-click a .one file to open it in OneNote.
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The restored section will appear at the bottom of your notebook list under Open Sections.
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Review the content to confirm it’s what you need.
Step 5: Restore your content
Move restored content into your active notebooks:
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To restore a section:
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Right-click the section tab → Move or Copy; then choose the destination notebook and section
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To restore a page:
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Right-click the page → Move or Copy; then choose the destination section
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Once restored, your pages and sections will sync automatically in the latest OneNote app.
