How to Remove Shared Files from Google Drive

Google Drive is not only for storing files; you can also share files with other users. But what if someone has shared some files with you, and you don’t want them on your Google Drive? So the question is, how can you remove Shared Files from Google Drive?

Removing shared files on Google Drive is easy. But if you have never done it before, you may not know what steps to take.

If you have similar questions, let me guide you with every bit of information that you might need.

Table of Contents

Does removing a file shared with you affect anyone else’s drive?

Anything you see in the shared with me section is just a link to the real file on the original owner’s drive. So, even if you remove shared files from your Google Drive, they will not get deleted, or it will affect any other user who has access to the same file.

Also, even if you remove a link from a subfolder in Google Drive, you will continue to access the main folder and some subfolders in the main folder. As a result, if you remove a file shared with you, it will remove it from your drive, and it will not affect the file or other users.

Removing a shared file when you are the owner

If you are the owner of a shared document, spreadsheet, or file, delete it. The file will then be deleted from your Drive, and all the collaborators will lose their access to it. This means they will no longer be able to work on the document or access the file.

But you can easily prevent this by making someone else the owner. That way, even if you delete the file, it will still be visible and accessible to the new owner’s Drive.

Where to find shared files in Google Drive?

One of the best parts of Google Drive is its Shared with Me section, where you can find all the files shared with you.

You can access the section by going to Google Drive and then clicking on the Shared With Me option from the sidebar.

If you are on mobile, open the Google Drive app and click on the person icon from the bottom menu.

Remove Shared Files from Google Drive

To remove shared files from Google Drive, follow the below steps.

Step 1: Go to Google Drive and sign in with your account.

Step 2: Next, click on the Shared with me option.

how to remove Shared Files from Google Drive

Step 3: Search for the file that you want to remove.

Step 4: Finally, right-click on the file or folder and select Remove.

Also, if you wish to remove multiple files at once, hold down the CTRL from your keyboard and select all the files. Then right-click and select Remove.

How to delete Shared files from Google Drive on Android

Step 1: First of all, launch the Google Drive app from your device.

Step 2: Then go to the shared section by tapping on the person icon.

Step 3: Next, tap on the three dots icon on the file or folder and select remove.

delete Shared files from Google Drive on Android

Also, if you want to delete multiple files at once, you have to long-press on all the files and folders to select them, tap on the delete icon, and you are all done.

Can’t remove shared files from Google Drive? Here’s the Reason

Sometimes, even after deleting shared files from your Google Drive, you would still see it. This is because when you remove shared files, it only temporarily removes the file from your view. But if you refresh the page, you will again get to see the file.

If I delete a shared folder in Google Drive, will the folder get deleted for everyone?

This is another common question that many have. The answer is that if you own the folder, then only you will be able to delete it. So, in this case, the folder will be deleted for everyone. Also, if someone else has added their files to the drive, then it will also be deleted.

So, if you are going to delete a shared folder, make sure you check everything. Also, if you delete a file or folder mistakenly, you can always restore it by going to trash.

You should also know that Google Drive keeps deleted files and folders in the trash for 30 days. So make sure to restore the files before Google Drive permanently removes them.

How to make someone else the owner of a file or folder?

If you are going to delete a folder or file, but before that, you want someone else to own it, then you can follow the below steps.

Step 1: First of all, right-click on the folder or file in Google Drive.

Step 2: Enter the new owner’s email address and share the file with them.

How to make someone else the owner of a file or folder

Step 3: Again, right-click on the same folder or file and go to Share. You will find the user that you have just added. From here, click on the drop-down menu and select Make Owner.

Step 4: Click Done.

Make someone else the owner of a file or folder Google drive

Conclusion

That was the answer to your question about how to remove shared files from Google Drive. Now, try the steps yourself and see if they work.