Google Drive is a cloud storage solution developed by Google that allows you to store your data and access it using various devices. The free subscription provides up to 15GB of storage space while paid subscriptions are available for 100GB, 200GB, and 2TB storage spaces. Although this service is quite easy to use there are times when you will permanently delete a file by accident or possibly change your mind regarding the file you deleted. In this latest installment of our troubleshooting series we will show you how to recover permanently deleted Google Drive file.
How to recover permanently deleted Google Drive files
Deleting a file in Google Drive is usually done whenever a duplicate copy of the file exists or if the user no longer needs the file and wants to save on the assigned space. Removing a file from Drive is as simple as putting it in trash. The file stays there until the trash is emptied.
Let’s first take a look at how to delete a file
- On your computer, go to drive.google.com.
- Click a File.
- Click Remove
The file will now be moved to trash.
To recover a file from trash
There are times when you will want to get back the file which you just deleted. This can be done using the steps listed below.
- In the upper left, tap Menu.
- Tap Trash.
- Right click on the file you want to recover.
- Tap Restore.
The file will now be accessible again.
Permanently delete Google Drive files
To delete a single file in trash
If you like to permanently delete a file from trash then follow these steps.
- In the upper left, tap Menu.
- Tap Trash.
- Next to the file you’d like to delete, tap More.
- Tap Delete forever.
To delete all files in trash
- In the upper left, tap Menu.
- Tap Trash.
- Make sure that there are no files that you’ll want later.
- Tap the Trash link at the top left
- Tap Empty trash.
What do you do if you want to access a file that has been permanently deleted from trash?
The only solution to this is to contact a Drive Specialist.
- Open Google Drive in your browser and Sign in to your account.
- Click on the Support icon (question mark icon) and choose the Help option.
- Search and select the “Find or recover a file” option. This option can also be found in popular searches
- Scroll down and click on the Contact Us button at the bottom
- Provide basic information and choose the preferred options. Click on the Submit button and wait for a chat window to open.
- You can chat with the Google Drive specialist and tell them the details about your file. Support will help you recover permanently deleted Google Drive file.