How to Recover Deleted Files from Google Drive

Edited 6 hours ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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Google Drive is one of the most popular cloud storage solutions available today. It provides an easy and efficient way to store files online, share them with others, and access them from any device with an internet connection. However, there may be times when you accidentally delete a file from Google Drive. Losing important files can be upsetting, but rest assured, there are many ways to recover deleted files from Google Drive. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on how to recover deleted files, covering various scenarios and steps in detail.

Understanding how to delete files in Google Drive

Before we get into the recovery methods, it's important to understand how file deletion works in Google Drive. When you delete a file from your Google Drive, it doesn't immediately disappear from the cloud. Instead, the file is moved to the "Trash" or "Bin" (depending on your language settings), where it stays for 30 days. During this period, you can easily restore the file to its original location. After 30 days, the file is permanently deleted and cannot be recovered via standard methods.

Steps to recover recently deleted files

Step 1: Access the Trash/Bin folder

The first step to recovering a deleted file is to access the Trash folder in Google Drive. Here's how to do it:

1. Go to Google Drive and log in to your account.
2. On the left sidebar, find and click the "Trash" or "Bin" option. This will open a list of all files deleted in the last 30 days.

Step 2: Locate the file

Once you are in the Trash folder, you need to find the file you want to recover. You can scroll down the list of deleted files until you find the file you are looking for. If there are a lot of files, use the search bar at the top to search by file name.

Step 3: Restore the file

Once you've found the file, it's time to restore it:

1. Right-click the file.
2. Select "Restore" from the context menu. Your file will be restored to its original location in Google Drive.

Recover files not found in the Trash

If the file you're looking for isn't in the Trash folder, you may have deleted it or emptied the Trash more than 30 days ago. Fortunately, there are still a few options you can try to recover your lost files.

Option 1: Google Drive support team

Google Drive offers customer support for data recovery. If you own the file, you have up to 25 days after deleting the file to contact Google Drive support for file recovery. Here's how:

1. Visit the Google Drive Help Center.
2. Go to the "Contact Us" section.
3. Request file recovery assistance. You may need to provide specific information about the file to facilitate the recovery process.

Option 2: Google Vault or Google Workspace admin

If your Google Drive is part of an organization or company, your account is likely managed through Google Workspace. In such cases, your organization may have Google Vault enabled, which can automatically archive Google Drive files. You can:

• Contact your Google Workspace administrator.
• Ask them to recover deleted files from Google Vault.

Your administrator may be able to recover the files, even if they've been permanently deleted from your drive.

Option 3: Backup & Sync or Google Drive for Desktop

If you use Google Backup and Sync or Google Drive for desktop, your files may also be stored locally on your computer:

1. Check your local computer backup folder for the file.
2. Find the Google Drive folder on your computer and search for the file.
3. If found, you can re-upload it to Google Drive.

Preventing file loss in the future

To avoid the inconvenience of losing files in the future, it is necessary to implement preventive measures. Here are some tips to help keep your files safe:

Regular backups

Backup your important files regularly, either by downloading them to an external storage or using a backup service. This ensures that you can recover lost files from the backup.

Organize and label files

Maintain a well-organized Google Drive with precisely labeled folders and files to easily find important documents.

Use Google Drive's built-in features

If you accidentally make a change or accidentally delete a file, use Google Drive's built-in Version History feature to revert to previous file versions.

Conclusion

Losing files from Google Drive is a common problem faced by many users, but with the right steps and solutions, files can often be recovered. This comprehensive guide explains the steps to recover files from the trash, how to reach out to Google Support for help, and what solutions can help keep valuable data safe. With frequent back-ups and a good understanding of Google Drive's features, you can minimize the risk of losing important files in the future.

Although the technology is reliable, accidents do happen, and it's always better to be prepared. Keep this guide handy in case you need to recover deleted files from Google Drive in the future.

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