Retention control
Expiring file-sharing links
A link should not stay available longer than the work requires. FileShareFast gives guest uploads a defined retention period and checks expiration before serving share details or downloads. Expiry narrows the access window and also helps keep temporary storage from turning into an unmanaged archive.
Reviewed
Current guest-link behavior
Guest shares currently expire after 14 days. The application checks the expiration timestamp on share views, individual downloads, ZIP downloads, and funnel downloads. An expired link returns an unavailable state instead of file content.
Signed-in users can manage their own shares from the dashboard. Do not rely on marketing copy for a special retention period that is not shown in your account; review the actual share settings before sending a link.
Expiry is one part of cleanup
A recipient may already have downloaded a copy before a link expires. Expiration stops future access through the service but cannot recall copies stored elsewhere.
For a completed project, delete the share instead of waiting for a longer timer. If a link was sent to the wrong person, treat it as exposed: remove it, create a new share, and contact support if further review is needed.
- Choose the shortest period that supports the task.
- Tell recipients when the link will stop working.
- Remove links early when access is no longer required.
A practical workflow
Step 1
Upload
Create a guest or signed-in share using the normal upload flow.
Step 2
Confirm the deadline
Review the expiry shown for the share before distributing the URL.
Step 3
Notify recipients
Include the access deadline so recipients can plan their download.
Step 4
Clean up
Delete the share from the dashboard when the exchange finishes.
Common questions
How long do guest links last?
Guest links currently expire 14 days after upload.
Can expiry remove a copy already downloaded?
No. It prevents later service access but cannot recall a recipient's saved copy.
What happens when a link expires?
Share and download endpoints reject access and show that the link is no longer available.