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.

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.

     

   • 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.
   • View your My Drive trash folder and restore missing files.
   • View the Shared Drive's trash folder and restore missing files.  
4. Check for unorganized files.
5. View additional recommendations for locating lost files. 

If you exhausted all file recovery options and still need help, please submit a file recovery request.