Hey there, my dear friends! So, picture this: a few months ago, a user on the Google Drive forum complained about deleting some files thinking they wouldn’t need them at the time. But now, guess what? They’re in dire need of those files! Can you suggest a way to recover permanently deleted files on Google Drive?
Well, the good news is that you can recover deleted files on Google Drive, even the ones that have been permanently deleted. Let me share with you some tried and tested methods to recover deleted and permanently deleted files on Google Drive.
Method 1: Recover Deleted Files from Google Drive from the Trash Folder
Most Google Drive users are familiar with the Trash folder. It’s the place where all the files you delete from the drive go, and they are kept there for a month. So, you can rely on this recovery method unless the deletion is permanent. That means if you permanently delete an individual file, empty the Trash completely, or if the Trash folder is automatically cleared by Google Drive after a certain time.
To recover deleted files from Google Drive from the Trash folder, follow these steps:
Step 1. Open Google Drive on your computer.
Step 2. Go to the “Trash” option.
Step 3. Right-click on the file you want to restore and select “Restore.”
Method 2: Recover Permanently Deleted Files from Google Drive from a Backup
If you have installed the “Backup and Sync” program, you can recover permanently deleted files on Google Drive. This program automatically syncs files from specific folders that you set up during the program installation, such as your PC’s Desktop, Documents, and Images.
To recover permanently deleted files from Google Drive, follow the steps below:
Step 1. Launch Backup and Sync, and you’ll arrive at the location C:UsersYour nameGoogle Drive.
Step 2. All copies of important files are visible in the pane.
Step 3. Browse files by viewing large thumbnail icons or directly search for the file name in the search box.
Method 3: Recover Permanently Deleted Files from Google Drive with Software
If you regularly sync or upload files from a computer to Google Drive, it’s possible to recover the original files that were uploaded to the cloud storage. It will be much easier if you still remember the original location of the files. Even if they are deleted after syncing with the cloud, data recovery software can find them where they were saved.
EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard is a reliable and helpful data recovery software available for both Windows and Mac. It can scan all types of lost files from a specific location, such as a computer hard drive, external hard drive, USB drive, or memory card. It is not designed to recover missing files from the Google Drive server but rather to find the original location where the Google Drive files were created. You can download the data recovery software for free the first time. The software will first ask you to select the location of the file to scan, make sure you haven’t chosen the wrong local drive.
To recover permanently deleted files from Google Drive from a storage location, follow these steps:
Step 1. Select a drive and launch the scan.
Step 2. Use the file format filter on the left or in the upper-right corner to narrow down the scan results until you find the files you need. Then, you can click the “Preview” button or double-click a file to see its content, if desired.
Step 3. Check the box next to the file and click “Recover” to restore the lost data to a safe location. We recommend not storing the recovered data on the disk where you lost them before.
Method 4: Restore Lost Data from Google Admin Console
If you are a G Suite user, you still have a chance to restore permanently deleted files on Google Drive. You can recover data after the 30-day limit of the Trash folder as a G Suite user.
Follow the instructions below to recover permanently deleted photos/videos/files on Google Drive:
Step 1. Log in to the Google Admin Console.
Step 2. Click on the “Users” icon.
Step 3. Select the user for whom you need to recover files.
Step 4. Click on the three dots on the right.
Step 5. From the context menu, select the “Restore Data” option.
Step 6. Select “Drive” as the application and click “Restore.”
Method 5: Restore Permanently Deleted Files from Google Drive with Official Support
To be able to recover deleted files on your own, you must meet the following criteria:
- The file must have been created/uploaded to the Google Drive server by the same user, or
- The original owner of the file must have granted you the rights to it.
If you’re using a Google account associated with a school, business, or organization, it’s usually the administrator who can recover deleted files.
If you’re a paying customer of Google Drive, reaching out to the official support is a guaranteed way to recover permanently deleted files on the cloud server. Reports suggest that it can be challenging for a free user to get a quick response, though.
To restore permanently deleted files from Google Drive through Google Drive support, follow these steps:
Step 1. On the Google Drive web page or application interface, click on the “?” symbol in a circle, and then click on “Help” from the dropdown list.
Step 2. In the dropdown list, click on “Send feedback.”
Step 3. Describe your problem in the pointed area and add a screenshot if necessary. Click on SEND.
How to Avoid Data Loss on Google Drive
It’s easy to recover deleted files from Google Drive. But it’s even better to prevent data loss than to go through the hassle of recovering data from Google Drive. You won’t have to search for ways to recover data from Google Drive. Follow the tips below to avoid data loss in advance.
Tip 1: Regularly Back up Your Data
Use Google Backup and Sync to back up your files, photos, and videos. This program helps you securely back up files and images to Google Drive and Google Photos.
Tip 2: Avoid Accidental Deletions
Before deleting a file, make sure you no longer need it. Don’t delete a file if you’re not sure you no longer need it.
Tip 3: Use an Antivirus
Ensure your Google Drive is secure to avoid falling victim to hacking. Don’t open or download random third-party software.
Conclusion
Google Drive makes data storage and backup easy. It’s a safe, fast, and excellent storage service for all of us. However, data loss also happens to Google Drive users despite all the wonderful features. You might have recovered deleted files from Google Drive using the above solutions. Remember, whenever you face a data loss problem or need to recover deleted files, you can always get help from EaseUS.
FAQ: Recovering Deleted Files from Google Drive
If you have a similar question, check out the questions and answers below for additional help.
1. Can I recover permanently deleted photos from Google Drive after 60 days?
Yes, you can recover permanently deleted photos from Google Drive after 60 days. You can recover permanently deleted photos using the following methods:
- Recovering from the Trash folder
- Recovering from the backup
- Restoring from the G Suite admin console
- Restoring through Google Drive support
2. Where do permanently deleted files go?
When you delete a file or folder from your Google Drive, it is moved to the Trash folder. The deleted file remains in the Trash for 30 days, after which it is permanently deleted.
3. How to recover permanently deleted files in Windows 10 without software?
To recover permanently deleted files without software (including recovering files from the deleted Trash):
Step 1. Go to the Start menu and type “cmd” in the search bar.
Step 2. Select “Run as administrator” to run Command Prompt as an administrator.
Step 3. Type “attrib -h -r -s /s /d drive letter:**” and hit Enter.
4. How long does Google Drive keep deleted files?
In general, Google Drive keeps deleted files for 30 days.
So there you have it! With these methods in your arsenal, you can recover those precious files that you thought were lost forever. Remember, prevention is the best cure, so back up your data regularly and avoid accidental deletions. And if you ever need assistance, you can always rely on the team at EaseUS. Happy file recovery, my friends!
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