Want to recover deleted files from Google Drive? Follow these simple steps

Get your files back in a flash!

Want to recover deleted files from Google Drive? Follow these simple steps

Losing important files can be a heart-stopping moment, especially in today’s digital world where we rely so heavily on cloud storage. But if you’ve accidentally deleted something from your Google Drive, take a deep breath and don’t panic!

Google Drive offers a number of safety nets and recovery options to help you retrieve your lost data. This guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough of the recovery process, empowering you to recover data from Google Drive quickly and efficiently. 

Checking the bin

Your first port of call should be the Bin. When you delete a file or folder in Google Drive, it isn’t permanently erased immediately. Instead, it’s moved to the Bin, which acts like the Recycle Bin on your computer. This provides a valuable safety net, allowing you to easily restore deleted items. To check the Bin:

Step 1: Go to drive.google.com and log in to your Google account.

Step 2: In the left-hand menu, you’ll see a list of options. Click on Bin.

ALSO READ: OneDrive vs Google Drive: Choosing the best cloud storage solution

Step 3: Browse through the deleted items. They’re usually organised by deletion date, with the most recently deleted files appearing at the top.

Step 4: If you find the file you need, right-click on it and select Restore. The file will be returned to its original location in your Google Drive.

Using the search function

If your Bin is overflowing or you’ve already emptied it, don’t worry! You can still try to recover deleted files using the search function. Google Drive’s search is incredibly powerful and can often locate files even if they’ve been deleted.

Step 1: In the search bar at the top of the Google Drive page, type the name of the deleted file. If you can’t remember the exact name, try typing in a keyword related to it. For example, if you’re looking for a deleted presentation, you could try searching for “presentation” or a keyword related to the presentation’s topic.

Step 2: Carefully check the search results. Google Drive will display any files that match your search query, including those that have been deleted. If your file appears, you can restore it by right-clicking and selecting Restore. 

Contacting Google Drive support

If you’ve exhausted the above options and still can’t find your file, you can contact Google Drive support for assistance. Google keeps backups of Drive data, and their support team may be able to Google Drive recover deleted files from these backups.

Step 1: Go to the Google Drive help centre. You can find this by clicking on the question mark icon in the top right corner of your Google Drive page.

Step 2: Navigate to the support section and click on the Contact us button.

ALSO READ: Google One: Price, storage and how it’s different from Google Drive

Step 3: Explain your situation clearly and provide any relevant information, such as the file name, file type, approximate deletion date, and any other details that might help them locate your file.

Step 4: Google Drive support will investigate your request and attempt to recover your file. While they cannot guarantee recovery in all cases, it’s definitely worth reaching out to them.

Restoring previous versions of files

Even if you haven’t deleted a file, you might need to recover its older version. Google Drive automatically keeps a history of previous versions of your files, which can be a lifesaver if you’ve accidentally overwritten a file or need to revert to an earlier draft.

Step 1: Right-click on the file in Google Drive.

Step 2: Select Manage versions. This will open a window showing a list of previous versions of the file, along with their modification dates.

Step 3: Choose the version you want to restore.

Step 4: Click Restore this version. This will replace the current version of the file with the selected version.

Remember that the sooner you attempt to recover data from Google Drive, the higher your chances of success. It’s also crucial to regularly back up your important files to an external hard drive or another cloud storage service to prevent data loss.

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By following these steps and adopting good data management practices, you can minimise the stress of accidental deletions and ensure your valuable data remains safe and accessible. 

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