How to Restore Deleted Items in Azure DevOps

If you've accidentally deleted work items or pipelines in Azure DevOps, you can restore them easily using the recycle bin feature. This guide will walk you through accessing the recycle bin and restoring your lost work items or pipelines effectively.

How do I find the Azure DevOps recycle bin? [prerequisites]

To restore deleted items, you first need to access the Azure DevOps recycle bin. Here’s what you need:

• An active Azure DevOps account.
• Appropriate permissions to view and restore items in the project.
• The items you want to restore must have been deleted recently, as they remain in the recycle bin for a limited time.

To find the recycle bin, navigate to your Azure DevOps project. Look for the project settings at the bottom left corner of the page. Click on it, then find the option labeled 'Recycle bin' in the settings menu.

What are the steps to restore a work item? [steps]

Restoring a work item from the recycle bin is straightforward. Follow these steps:

1. Go to the Azure DevOps project where the work item was deleted.
2. Click on 'Project settings' in the bottom left corner.
3. Select 'Recycle bin' from the menu.
4. You will see a list of deleted work items.
5. Find the work item you want to restore and click on the ellipsis (three dots) next to it.
6. Choose 'Restore' from the dropdown menu.

Restoring a work item will recover it to its previous state, including all its associated data. Double-check that you are restoring the correct item.

How to restore an entire pipeline? [steps]

Restoring a deleted pipeline requires a few extra steps. Here’s how to do it:

1. Navigate to your Azure DevOps project.
2. Click on 'Pipelines' in the left sidebar.
3. Select 'All pipelines' to view the list of pipelines, including deleted ones.
4. Click on 'Recycle bin' at the top of the pipelines page.
5. Locate the deleted pipeline you wish to restore.
6. Click on the ellipsis (three dots) next to the pipeline name.
7. Select 'Restore' from the dropdown menu.

Ensure you are restoring the correct pipeline, as this action will overwrite any existing pipeline with the same name.

What should I do after restoration? [completion]

After restoring your work items or pipelines, verify that the restoration was successful. Here’s what to check:

• Look for the restored items in the work item or pipeline list to ensure they appear as expected.
• For work items, open them to confirm that all details, such as status and comments, are intact.
• For pipelines, run a test build or deployment to ensure they function correctly.

If everything looks good, you can continue your work as normal.

How can I prevent accidental deletions in the future? [faq]

To reduce the risk of accidental deletions in Azure DevOps:

• Implement role-based access controls to limit who can delete work items and pipelines.
• Regularly back up your work items and pipelines using Azure DevOps API or third-party tools.
• Educate your team on the importance of double-checking before deleting any items, emphasizing the use of the recycle bin as a safety net.

Conclusion

Now that you know how to restore deleted items in Azure DevOps, you can act quickly if something gets lost. Keep the tips for preventing future deletions in mind, and regularly check the recycle bin if you suspect something's gone missing.