Expiration Times Guide

Set an automatic expiration date. Files become inaccessible after the deadline.

What is File Expiration?

Set a deadline for file availability:

• Files accessible until specified time
• Automatically deleted after expiration
• Recipients cannot access expired links
• You choose expiration time (hours to months)
• Perfect for time-sensitive information

Setting Expiration Time

Expiration Options

Setting Custom Expiration

Custom Expiration (When Available)

• Click "Custom Date/Time"
• Choose date picker or enter manually
• Set specific hour and minute
• Select timezone (prevents confusion)
• Confirm before saving

Preset Options

Use preset expiration windows when custom dates are unavailable:

• 1 hour, 1 day, 7 days, 30 days

Timezone Management

Why Timezone Matters

Files expire at specific time in your timezone:

• Midnight in New York ≠ Midnight in Tokyo
• System shows times in your timezone
• Recipients see countdown timer
• Prevents confusion about deadline

Changing Timezone

• Go to account settings
• Update timezone preference
• Applies to new shares only
• Existing expirations unchanged

Use Cases

Time-Sensitive Information

• Confidential memos: 1 day expiration
• Pre-release media: Until release date
• Event materials: Until event ends
• Temporary passwords: 1 hour expiration

Compliance Requirements

• GDPR: Automatic deletion of personal data
• HIPAA: Healthcare records auto-expire
• Legal holds: Ensure files deleted per requirements
• Audit trails: Automatic cleanup

Business Workflows

• Proposals: Expire after 30 days
• Invoices: Expire after 1 week
• Quotes: Expire when quote expires
• Contracts: Expire when executed

How Expiration Works

Before Expiration

• Link is fully functional
• Recipients can download files
• Recipients see countdown timer
• No warnings or delays

At Expiration

• Link becomes inaccessible instantly
• Files are securely deleted
• Recipient trying to access sees error
• No recovery possible

After Expiration

• Link is dead
• Files permanently removed from servers
• You can create new share if needed
• Analytics show access until expiration

Extending Expiration

Before It Expires

• Go to share management
• Click "Extend Expiration"
• Choose new expiration time
• Recipient gets notification
• Countdown resets

After It Expires

• Cannot extend expired share
• Must create new share
• Send new link to recipient

Combining with Other Features

Password + Expiration

Double security layer:

• Password protects content
• Expiration controls time window
• Best for sensitive + temporary data

One-Time Links + Expiration

Maximum security:

• One-time links + expiration = most secure
• Single download within time window
• For highly confidential information

Best Practices

For Sensitive Data

• Use short expiration (1-7 days)
• Combine with password protection
• Include in file name/description
• Remind recipient of deadline

For Collaboration

• Use longer expiration (30+ days)
• Allow time for review/feedback
• Extend if project continues
• Auto-delete prevents accumulation

For Archives

• Use very short for temporary archives
• Use shorter windows for sensitive files
• Track what expires when

Troubleshooting

Recipient Can't Access Expired File

• Check if file has expired
• Create new share with longer expiration
• Send new link to recipient

Wrong Timezone Causing Issues

• Update timezone in account settings
• For next share use correct timezone
• Current shares can't be changed

Need to Keep File Longer

• Extend before it expires
• Once expired, must recreate share
• Permanent storage is not supported; use long expirations only when necessary

Next Steps

• One-Time Links for Maximum Control
• Password Protection
• Security Basics