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:

  1. Search for files using keywords.
  2. Search for files using the owner's name.
    • Type owner:name (ex: owner:bucky badger) in the search bar.

      searchforfile

    • This search will only show files that were shared with you.
    • Files that were not shared with you will not appear. 
  3. Check the trash folder to make sure the files were not mistakenly deleted.
  4. Check for unorganized files.
  5. 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



Keywords:
UW-Madison, UW-Madison Google Workspace, Workspace, File recovery, trash, drive, deletion, suspension, deactivation form missing recover folder shared drive mydrive delete trash trashed collaborator timeline orphan unorganized transfer ownership former affiliate faculty staff student emeriti alumni 
Doc ID:
141301
Owned by:
UW-Madison Google Workspace in UW Google Apps
Created:
2024-08-20
Updated:
2025-05-29
Sites:
DoIT Help Desk, Google Apps