UW-Madison Google Workspace - File Recovery
This document provides guidance on what to do if you need to restore or regain access to a Google file. File recovery requests are only available for current and eligible UW-Madison faculty, staff, and students. Former affiliates are not eligible for file recovery.
Please note: Folders are not recoverable and file recovery is not guaranteed.
File recovery timeline
This timeline only applies to current UW-Madison affiliates. It does not apply to former affiliates (ex: former employee, former student) who lose access to their account as part of the deactivation process.
- Trashed files: 30 days from the date the file was trashed.
- Deleted files: 25 days from the date of automatic deletion from the trash folder. Files are irrecoverable after this date.
Learn more about trashing files.
My Drive and Shared Drive File Recovery
Please follow these steps to find missing files before submitting a file recovery request:
- Search for files using keywords.
- Search for files using the owner's name.
- Type owner:name (ex: owner:bucky badger) in the search bar.
- This search will only show files that were shared with you.
- Files that were not shared with you will not appear.
- Type owner:name (ex: owner:bucky badger) in the search bar.
- Check the trash folder to make sure the files were not mistakenly deleted.
- View your My Drive trash folder and restore missing files.
- View the Shared Drive's trash folder and restore missing files.
- Check for unorganized files.
- View additional recommendations for locating lost files.
File recovery form
If you exhausted all file recovery options and still need help, please submit a file recovery request.
See Also
- Help Desk - Deactivation Timeline for Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Zoom, Box, Qualtrics
- Help Desk (Departing Faculty/Staff) - Steps to take before losing access to Microsoft 365, Google, Zoom, Box, and Qualtrics
- Help Desk (Former Student) - Steps to take before your access to Microsoft 365, Google, Box, Qualtrics, and Zoom changes
- Help Desk (Retiree without IT Services) - Steps to take before losing access to Microsoft 365, Google, Zoom, Box, and Qualtrics
- Help Desk (Retiree with IT Services) - Steps to take before your access to Microsoft 365, Google, Zoom, Box, and Qualtrics changes