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title: Restore Deleted Google Workspace User: Recover User Account & Data (20 Days) description: Restore a recently deleted user in Google Workspace within 20 days. Step-by-step guide to recover user accounts, Gmail, Drive files, and Calendar data using Admin Console. difficulty: beginner estimatedReadTime: 3 lastUpdated: January 2025 featured: false faqItems:

• question: What happens to a user's data after they are deleted in Google Workspace? answer: >- When a user is deleted in Google Workspace, their account and associated data are marked for deletion but are retained for 20 days. During this retention period, all emails, documents, and other user data are preserved and can be restored. After the 20-day window, the data is permanently erased and becomes unrecoverable. To mitigate data loss risks, it’s advisable to regularly back up critical information and familiarize yourself with the restoration process to act swiftly if an account is mistakenly deleted.
• question: Can I restore a deleted user account after the 20-day retention period? answer: >- No, once the 20-day retention period has elapsed, a deleted user account cannot be restored in Google Workspace. The associated data is permanently deleted and cannot be recovered. To avoid such scenarios, implement regular data backups and consider utilizing Google Vault for long-term archival of important data. Familiarize your team with retention policies and ensure that deletions are handled with caution to prevent accidental loss of critical accounts and data.
• question: How can I verify that a restored user's account is fully functional? answer: >- After restoring a user account in Google Workspace, verify its functionality by checking if the user can log in and access all services, such as Gmail and Google Drive. Encourage the user to test their email and document access. Additionally, review the user's roles and permissions to ensure they are consistent with current organizational policies. If issues arise, check for any pending security settings or access restrictions that may need adjustment post-restoration. heroImage: "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1557804506-669a67965ba1?w=1200&h=630&fit=crop"

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Accidentally deleting a user account can disrupt access to emails, documents, and other critical business functions. Fortunately, Google Workspace allows administrators to restore recently deleted user accounts within a specific time frame. This guide will walk you through the process of restoring a recently deleted user in Google Workspace.

Requirements:

• You must be a super administrator in Google Workspace to perform this action.
• The user account can only be restored within 20 days of deletion.

Step-by-Step Guide:

Step 1: Log into the Google Admin Console

• Open your web browser and navigate to https://admin.google.com.
• Sign in using your administrator credentials.

Step 2: Access the Users Section

• Once logged into the Google Admin Console, locate and click on Users in the main dashboard or sidebar menu. This section allows you to manage all user accounts associated with your Google Workspace.

Step 3: Navigate to the Deleted Users Page

• In the Users section, look for a filter or tab that says Deleted users or find an option in the sidebar or under a drop-down menu depending on your console layout.
• Click on Deleted users to view a list of recently deleted accounts.

Step 4: Restore the Deleted User

• Browse the list to find the user account you wish to restore. Accounts eligible for restoration will have an Restore button or icon next to them.
• Click on Restore next to the user’s name. A confirmation dialog box will appear.
• Confirm the restoration by clicking Restore in the dialog box. This action will reinstate the user’s account with all associated data and permissions intact as they were before deletion.

Step 5: Verify Restoration

• After restoring, go back to the main Users list to ensure that the user’s account is active again.
• Optionally, you may want to contact the user to verify they can access their Google Workspace services like Gmail, Google Drive, and others without issues.

Best Practices:

• Regular Backups: Regularly export and backup critical user data to prevent data loss in cases where accounts cannot be restored.
• Review User Roles and Access: Upon restoration, review the user’s roles and access permissions to ensure they align with current organizational policies and the user’s job requirements.
• Training and Documentation: Maintain clear documentation of processes for handling user accounts, including deletions and restorations, and ensure all administrators are trained on these procedures.

Restoring a recently deleted user in Google Workspace is a straightforward process that can be quickly accomplished through the Google Admin Console. By following these steps, you can ensure minimal disruption to your organization’s operations and maintain continuity of access for all users.