# ownCloud User Manual

# Managing Deleted Files

ownCloud maintains a copy of deleted files in case you need them again. To ensure that individual users do not run out of memory, the Files app manages the total memory size of deleted files for each user. When it comes to managing deleted files, keep the following in mind:

- The total memory allocation for deleted files can never exceed more that 50% of the currently available free space for each user.
- Once the 50% maximum is reached for deleted files, ownCloud begins to delete files, starting with the oldest versions, until it reaches the memory usage limit again.

You can view all of the deleted files by clicking on the Deleted files button in Files app on the web interface.

## Restoring Files

To restore a deleted file:

1. In the Files app, click the Deleted files button.

   The Files app shows all deleted files.

   Deleted files

2. Hover the cursor over the file that you want to restore.

   Task options appear for the file.

3. Click the Restore button.

   The Files app restores the file to its original location on the server.

## Deleting Files

To permanently delete a file:

1. In the Files app, click the Deleted files button.

   See the Deleted files image above.

2. Hover the cursor over the file that you want to delete.

   Task options appear for the file.

3. Click the Trash can button.

   The Files app permanently removes the file from the server.

## Modifying the Deleted File Age-Out Value

Each time a file is added to the deleted files directory, ownCloud checks the age of the deleted files. By default, deleted files remain in the deleted files directory for 180 days.

The administrator can adjust the age-out value in the config.php by setting the `trashbin_retention_obligation` value. Files with ages that exceed this value are deleted permanently.