Losing files on Google Drive can be a nightmare, especially when you've permanently deleted them. Google Drive has a 25-day trash recovery period, but after that, files are gone forever - unless you use a recovery method.
Google Drive's trash is divided into two sections: the normal trash and the trash of shared files. If you've permanently deleted files, they're moved to the trash, but if you've deleted shared files, they're moved to the "trash of shared files" section.
To recover permanently deleted files on Google Drive, you can use the "Restore" feature, which can be accessed through the Google Drive trash.
Recovery Methods
If you've installed Google Drive on your computer, you can try using AnyRecover data recovery software to recover your permanently deleted files. With a recovery rate as high as 98% and a user base of 2,061,704 downloads, this software has been trusted by many users worldwide.
You can also try restoring your files using the Google takeout feature or Google Vault (if you have a Workspace account). This method is a good option if you've taken a backup of your Google Drive.
If you've failed to restore a deleted file within the 30-day window or have emptied the trash manually, you can contact Google Support to request file recovery. They may restore the deleted files for you, but be aware that files you've uploaded yourself may be recovered, and files not owned by you cannot be restored.
To request file recovery, go to support.google.com/drive?p=file_recovery and sign in with your Google account. You'll need to provide your first name, last name, and consent to confirm the request.
Here are the steps to request file recovery:
- Go to support.google.com/drive?p=file_recovery and sign-in with the Google account you used to delete the file.
- Provide your first name, last name, and check the consent box to confirm that you are trying to recover files you deleted from Google Drive.
Keep in mind that the restoration process may take up to 48 hours, but usually takes less than 12 hours. Google recommends avoiding emptying your trash while the process is ongoing.
Steps to Recover
Recovering permanently deleted files from Google Drive can be a challenge, but it's not impossible.
You can recover permanently deleted files from Google Drive by previewing the files you want to recover and then clicking on the "Recover" button.
Previewing the files allows you to see what's available for recovery, making it easier to decide which files to restore.
Alternatively, you can use the Google Admin Console to recover permanently deleted files.
To do this, select the user whose data you want to recover and click on the three dots, then on Restore Data.
This method is worth trying if you're having difficulty recovering your deleted files via other methods.
Alternative Solutions
If you've installed Google Drive on your computer, you can try using AnyRecover, a data recovery software with a recovery rate as high as 98%.
AnyRecover has been trusted by many users worldwide, with 2,061,704 downloads.
If you've taken a backup of your Google Drive, you can restore files using the Google takeout feature or Google Vault (in the case of a Workspace account).
Google takeout and Google Vault are reliable methods for restoring permanently deleted files, especially if you have a Workspace account.
File Management
File Management is crucial when it comes to Google Drive, as it allows you to organize and structure your files in a way that makes sense for you.
Google Drive has a limit of 15 GB of free storage space, which can fill up quickly if you're storing large files or a lot of data.
To manage your files effectively, you can create folders and subfolders to categorize and group similar files together.
Files can be easily dragged and dropped into folders, making it simple to keep your files organized.
You can also use the "Shared with me" section to view files that others have shared with you.
Google Drive's search function is also very powerful, allowing you to search for files by name, type, and even content.
By regularly cleaning out old or unnecessary files, you can free up space and keep your Google Drive account running smoothly.
Verification and Logging
If you're wondering what happened to a file that's been deleted from Google Drive, checking the Drive audit log is a good place to start. This log provides information on users' Drive activity, which can give you insight into what happened to your missing file or folder.
You can find information in the audit log about files that were automatically deleted by Drive or emptied from Trash. This can be helpful in determining if the file was deleted intentionally or not.
To get more granular insights, you can use GAT+ to locate files and folders across your entire domain Drive.
Version Control
Version Control is a lifesaver when you accidentally overwrite a file on Google Drive. You can easily get back the older version by following a few simple steps.
To do this, locate the file you want the older version of in your Google Drive. Right-click on the file and select Manage Versions. This will open a new window with all the versions of the file that are restorable.
Return and Cancel
You can recover permanently deleted files from Google Drive, even if you've emptied the Trash. Google Workspace Admins can recover files within 25 days of deletion.
If you're an Admin, you can use the admin console to recover files and folders. Note that data restores to the user's Drive folder in the same location.
If your organization uses Google Vault, you may be able to retrieve data older than 25 days, but you can't directly restore it to the user's Drive.
Contact Specialist
Contacting a specialist can be a good option if you're a general user with a general Google account. You can reach out to a Google Drive specialist for help recovering your permanently deleted files from Google Drive if you contact them as soon as possible.
These specialists can provide assistance with recovering deleted files.
Return
If you've permanently deleted files from Google Drive, don't worry, they're not gone forever. Google Workspace Admins can recover permanently deleted Drive files and folders within 25 days of deletion from the Trash using the admin console.
You can recover permanently deleted files in Drive, and it's actually quite easy. To do so, simply follow the file recovery steps outlined by Google.
If your organization uses Google Vault, you may be able to retrieve data older than 25 days, but you can't directly restore it to the user's Drive. You'll need to export the missing data instead.
If you're a general user with a general Google account, you can contact a Google Drive specialist to help recover your permanently deleted files. They can assist you if contacted as soon as possible.
If you've lost important files on a Google account that's now closed, you can try to recover them by following the steps outlined by Google.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Google keep a copy of permanently deleted files?
No, Google does not keep a copy of permanently deleted files after 25 days, as they are purged from its systems. Learn more about recovering deleted items in Google Drive and Gmail.
Sources
- https://www.anyrecover.com/deleted-files-recovery-data/recover-permanently-deleted-files-google-drive/
- https://gadgetstouse.com/blog/2022/04/23/recover-permanently-deleted-files-from-google-drive/
- https://www.cbackup.com/articles/google-drive-deleted-files-keep-coming-back.html
- https://gatlabs.com/blogpost/google-drive-file-recovery-the-admins-ultimate-101-guide/
- https://www.labnol.org/recover-deleted-google-drive-files-folders-220219
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