Recover a Deleted File
How to Recover a Deleted File on Google Drive? If you have accidentally deleted a file on Google Drive, there are several ways to restore it. [1]One way is to look for it in your account activity on a desktop device.
Another method is to contact Google support and request file recovery. However, this option is only available if you are the owner of the missing file.
Can You Recover Deleted Google Drive Files?
Accidentally deleting a file on Google Drive is a common mistake. But fortunately, you can always restore deleted files within 30 days of deletion.[2]
However, if you haven’t restored the file within the time limit, it is likely that the file has been permanently deleted. So if you have accidentally deleted important files on Google Drive, you’ll need to know how to recover them.
One way to find lost files on Google Drive is by using the ‘Drive Search’ feature, which will allow you to search for a file by name. It will also show you the location of the file, if it hasn’t been moved out of the parent folder yet.[3]
Another option is to check the ‘Drive activity panel’ in the G Suite admin console. This feature provides a lot of information about files that were automatically deleted by Google Drive or emptied from the Trash.
It also allows you to view ‘Drive sharing’ settings and ‘Drive activity. This information can help you to figure out how the file got lost, if it was shared with someone else or if it was re-shared.[4]
Finally, you can try transferring ownership of the file to another Google account. This will make it easier for you to retrieve the lost files.
To do this, you’ll need to login to your G Suite Admin account and access Apps > G Suite. From there, you’ll want to click on ‘Drive and Docs’.
You’ll be prompted to enter your first and last name and to specify whether the file was deleted in the past 25 days. Once you’ve done this, the system will take a look at your account and determine if the file can be recovered.[5]
Search or Recover Locally Saved Files
If you have a file on Google Drive that was accidentally deleted and you are looking for a way to recover it, there are several options you can use. One option is to search your Google Drive for it using the Drive Search feature.
The Drive Search feature allows you to search for files based on their file name, type, and other parameters. This can help you find files that are difficult to locate.
Another way to recover deleted files from Google Drive is to check whether the file is an orphaned file. Orphaned files are created when someone (not the file owner) deletes a shared folder or file on Google Drive, which results in the folder and file becoming homeless.[6]
When an orphaned file is found, it can be rehomed to the desired folder. However, it’s important to note that this process can take some time.
To search for an orphaned file, you can first open your Google Drive on your computer. Next, click the Filters icon in the search bar.[7]
Once you’re in the filter menu, you can choose to include file types, owners, and words to further narrow down your search. This will help you find your missing file faster.
If you are unable to recover a deleted file, you can contact the Google Support team. They will provide you with instructions on how to restore the file. They may also recommend a third-party tool that can help you do so. If you have a large file, the process may take longer than usual.[8] The best thing to do is to take a backup of your Google Drive before trying to restore a deleted file from it.
Restore Data from G Suite Admin Console
If you’ve lost files on Google Drive, you can restore them from the G Suite Admin Console. It can help you recover deleted files from a user’s account or from shared drives.[9]
It can also help you track how many apps are being used, as well as how often files and emails are shared outside of your organization’s domain. This information can be very useful in identifying and preventing data loss.
To get started, go to the Google Admin console and sign in with your log-in credentials. Then, click Users to see a list of your users.
In the list, hover your mouse over a user’s name; the “More” button will appear on the right. When that button pops up, click “Restore Data” to restore their files and folders.[10]
Aside from recovering files, the Admin Console can also give you access to reports that show what has been done in an organization’s Google apps within a certain time frame. For example, you can see how many total emails, files, and video hangouts have been shared in a given period.
The Google Admin console also provides a way for users to transfer ownership of files or folders to another person. [11]This process can help you recover files that were erased from your G Suite account and that weren’t backed up by Google Vault or by data loss prevention policy.
You can also ask Google Support for assistance in restoring deleted files from your G Suite account or from a shared drive. This is a fast, convenient way to get your data back, but you must have a recent backup before you try it.
How to Prevent Data Loss from Google Drive?
Whether you are using Google Drive for your personal or professional use, it is very important to keep an eye on your storage.[12] This is to ensure that you have plenty of space for all the files and documents that you upload to Google Drive.
It’s also essential to backup your files and folders to another location in case you need to retrieve them. This will help protect you from any data loss that may occur in the future.
However, even with this precautionary measure in place, it’s not always possible to recover files that have been accidentally deleted. Depending on the file that you’re looking for, there are a few different ways to do so.[13]
One way is to search for it in the advanced search options of Google Drive. You can search for it using keywords, file owner, file types, starred items, deleted items, and app with keyboard shortcuts.
You can also check your account activity to see if any unauthorized changes have been made. This is especially helpful if the file you’re looking for was recently moved, duplicated or renamed.[14]
Once you’ve identified the file that you want to recover, simply right-click on it and choose Restore from the context menu. You’ll be directed to the location where the file was saved in your Google Drive account.
Alternatively, you can open the Google Drive application on your mobile device and select Restore from the three-dot menu. This will allow you to view and restore your deleted files on your smartphone or tablet.[15]
Despite its many benefits, Google Drive isn’t designed to be a robust data backup solution. So, it’s vital to backup your files and folders to a third-party cloud storage service such as CBackup in advance. This will help to ensure that you have a comprehensive and effective data backup in case something goes wrong with your Google Drive.
Restore Permanently Deleted Files
If you have deleted files on Google Drive, it is possible to restore them permanently. This will free up storage space in the cloud.[16] However, you will need to follow a few simple steps.
First, you will need to run a file recovery software on your computer. The file recovery software will automatically scan the hard drive and find deleted files that may have been accidentally or maliciously removed.
Next, you will need to choose the files you want to recover. These may include photos, videos and other media.
After the process is completed, you will be able to view the files you recovered. This will be done by downloading the files to your computer and opening them in a file recovery program.[17] You will need to use a good recovery program to ensure you get the best results.
Can you recover deleted Google Drive files?
Google has added a new feature to its Drive app that allows users to recover files that they have accidentally deleted. This will save users from having to open up the Trash folder in order to retrieve them, a functionality that was previously limited to those using the company’s desktop version of its cloud-based service. Previously, deleted files on Google Drive were automatically placed in the Trash section and would remain there for up to 30 days.[18] The feature will be implemented starting October 13, 2020. This brings Google Drive more in line with other products from the company, such as Gmail, which also keeps trashed items for 30 days.
