Files moved to Trash are not deleted immediately. They remain recoverable for a limited time before being permanently removed. This guide explains how long files stay in Trash, what affects the retention period, and how to restore or permanently delete them.
Files in Trash are kept for 30 days before they are automatically and permanently deleted. During this period, you can restore them at any time.
Day 0: File is moved to Trash
Day 1–30: File remains recoverable
Day 31: File is permanently deleted and cannot be restored
This retention period applies to all accounts and plans.
Once the 30‑day retention period ends:
The file is permanently deleted
The file cannot be recovered by you or support
Any public links associated with the file stop working
Storage used by the file is freed automatically
Permanent deletion is irreversible.
You can restore files at any time during the 30‑day window.
Open Trash from the sidebar
Select the file you want to restore
Click Restore
The file returns to its original folder
If the original folder no longer exists, the file is restored to your root directory.
If you want to remove a file immediately:
Open Trash
Select the file
Choose Delete Permanently
This action bypasses the 30‑day retention period and cannot be undone.
Files in Trash still count toward your storage usage until they are permanently deleted.
Restoring a file does not change storage usage
Permanently deleting a file frees space instantly
Emptying Trash clears all recoverable files at once
If you’re low on storage, emptying Trash can help free space quickly.
If a file disappeared sooner than expected or you believe something is wrong:
Submit a ticket: https://help.owlcloudhost.com/hc/tickets/new
Email: support@owlcloudhost.com
Include the file name and approximate deletion date.