Have you deleted any important files in Google Drive? No worries. You are on the right page to check how to restore the deleted files in Google Drive.
Google Drive is the best cloud backup service available in the market. It provides 15GB of free space for whoever signs up as a new user.
However, 15GB is not enough when we deal with a large number of files it can run out quickly if you have to back everything. Eventually, you have to clear the unwanted files to get some free space.
It can be done easily and by mistake if you delete some important files. Well, no worries. Once you delete the files they will go to the trash or bin and will be available for particular days. Before deleting restore the file if you want in the future.
Here is all you need to know about how long Google Drive keeps deleted files.
How Long Does Google Drive Keep Deleted Files
Google Drive has a trash bin where all the deleted photos, videos, and files go. It is a kind of recycle bin that restores the items that you have deleted. But unlike recycle bins, Google Drive’s trash has a time limit of 30 days.
This means the files you have deleted will be saved in the bin for 30 days and deleted automatically.
Once the items are deleted, they will be available in the trash folder of the Drive.
Read How to Stop Receiving Shared Files on Google Drive
How to Delete Files in Google Drive?
Deleting the files from the Drive is similar to deleting the files on the laptop. Follow the steps to do so.
- Go to https://drive.google.com/ from your preferred browser.
- Enter your credentials to access your Drive.
- Now, select any file you want to remove.
- Select Remove from the menu after right-clicking on the items.
You can check if the files moved to the trash or not. Select Trash from the menu on the right side and the file you deleted should be there.
Read How to Delete Files from Google Drive on Mac
Can Deleted Files Be Recovered From Google Drive?
There are different ways to recover a file after deleting the files permanently from the bin. Here are the steps to follow to restore the files from Google Drive.
1. Recovering Your Files From the Trash Bin
If you have removed the files from Drive, and if it is not empty you can also restore any item deleted earlier.
- Open the Google Drive application from the preferred browser.
- Enter your credentials to access your Drive.
- Click on Trash from the menu on the left side.
- The files you have deleted previously should be listed in this window. Select the files that you want to restore right-click on them to bring out the contextual menu and choose Restore.
The item should now be restored and back in its original location on your Drive.
Read How to Delete PDF Files from Google Drive
2. Recovering Files From Google Drive For Desktop
If you use a desktop application for Google Drive and have sync turned on, then you delete from one place and get deleted from another. You can also check for the files below.
- Open up your laptop or PC.
- Open the desktop app for Google Drive.
- Here you can see all the files that are backed up and synced.
- Use the search bar at the window’s top right corner for Windows systems to search for the file you’re looking for.
3. Recovering Files Using G Suite Admin
There is a time limit till the data is recovered safely. But this only works for workspace accounts, and a regular Gmail account cannot used to log in to the Google admin console. By using G Suite admin, permanently we can recover the deleted files.
- Select your preferred browser and go to https://admin.google.com/.
- Enter your credentials to gain access to the console.
- After accessing the console, click on the Users tab.
- Check the username and select whose data you want to recover.
- Click on Restore Data from the new pop-up window.
- Next, you have to choose the approximate date range and the Google application whose data you wish to recover.
- Click on Restore after you’ve entered all the necessary details.
Read How to Recover Deleted Files From Google Drive
4. Sending Feedback to the Google Drive Team
If all method fails, you can go about sending feedback to the Google Drive team to recover the deleted files from your Drive.
Find the instructions to do that given below. Also, most probably they will ask you to do the same steps we have asked you above but you can give it a shot.
- Open your PC or laptop and run your preferred browser.
- Go to https://drive.google.com/ and log in using your credentials.
- After accessing your Drive, select the “?” icon which is beside the main search bar.
- Select Send feedback to Google
- Explain your problem in detail, submit the feedback, and wait for someone from the team to reach out to you.
Read How to recover deleted shared files on Google Drive? and How to View Shared Files in Google Drive
Conclusion
As you can see, Google Drive keeps the files for thirty days before permanently deleting them. Even after that time has elapsed, there are various methods to recover your files if you wish to do so.
People having the admin function for GSuite can choose to get back their files once deleted very easily. Simply follow the steps we have mentioned above and everything will be good to go. Furthermore, if you have doubts you can also let us know or directly try contacting the support or send feedback to the Google Support team.
You may like the following google drive tutorials:
- How To Delete Recent Activity on Google Drive
- How to delete files from google drive permanently?
- Unable to Access Document Google Drive Error
- How To Recover Permanently Deleted Photos From Google Drive
- How to Back Up Google Drive Files
I am Kirithika and a senior technical content writer expertise in using various Microsoft and Google tools like OneDrive, Outlook Online, Word Online, Microsoft Forms, Microsoft teams, Google Drive, etc. I love to share how-to tutorials, tips, and tricks on these tools. From last 5 years, I am trying to serve various clients across the United States of America. Check out more on About me page.