> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.highlight.net/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.highlight.net/troubleshooting/recovery-of-deleted-items.md).

# Recovery of deleted items

## Overview

If deleted in error:

* it *may* be possible to recover SNMP-based watches
* it is **not possible** to recover Controller-based watches

### **SNMP-based watches (on Admin Browse page)**

When deleted, a SNMP-based watch is moved to a 'holding area', data is not collected, it does not appear on any Highlight pages and is not billed. The watch and its collected, historical data will be completely deleted (purged) after a period of time (usually this is approximately one month). If you accidentally delete a watch [contact us](https://support.highlight.net/help/getting_started/contactus) immediately and Highlight Support will attempt to recover it. If recovery is possible, then the full tree structure (folder and location) is recovered at the same time. Subwatches (such as performance tests and VLANs) can also be recovered. The parent watch will be recovered (if needed) at the same time. See the section below for more details.

{% hint style="info" %}
When a watch is deleted, its state (red, amber, green) is also deleted. The internal fuel gauge is reset. This means that if recovered :

* a watch is initially green and will change state according to sensitivity settings
* for a device previously in an outage, if it is still in an outage state, then you will get alerted for the device again as the thresholds are crossed to change from green to amber and then red
  {% endhint %}

### **Controller-based watches (on Admin Controllers page)**

When a non-SNMP controller or device is deleted it is fully and immediately deleted as are all the subwatches and locations associated with it. These watches can be rediscovered if a new controller is created but historical data previously shown in Highlight is not recovered. The deletion of the controller or device is shown in the Audit log but the deletion of all associated subwatches is not.

## Recovery of SNMP-based watches

The following items can be recovered:

* bearer watches (link health watches - not controller-based)
* class of service watches
* VLANs
* MLEs
* performance tests (not controller-based)
* WiFi controllers (not Meraki or Extreme)
* users
* folders
* locations (if not auto-created)

The following subwatches can be recovered with their parent watch. If these items are disabled on their parent watch then re-enabled before the recovery period has passed, the existing subwatch will be recovered:

* Flow watches
* NBAR watches
* switches (not Meraki)

The following items cannot be recovered:

* containers
* performance test templates

Deletions are recorded in the [Audit log](https://support.highlight.net/help/reporting/audit_log) as a delete action with full details. Restoring and purging is also recorded as a delete action in the Audit log but without full details.

{% hint style="warning" %}
Note: Watches cannot be restored if there is another active watch with the same name
{% endhint %}


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