Google Drive is a cloud storage service that allows you to store, access, and share files from any device. With 15GB of free storage, it has become the default online drive for many users. However, as you continue to upload files, you may eventually run out of storage space. When that happens, you need to delete unnecessary files to free up storage room.
Fortunately, deleting files on Google Drive is easy. Here are the steps to permanently delete files you’ve uploaded:
Table of Contents
Delete Files from the Google Drive Website
- Go to drive.google.com and log into your account
- Locate the file(s) you want to delete
- Right-click on the file(s) and select Remove
- In the prompt, click Delete Forever to permanently erase the file(s)
Delete Files from the Google Drive Mobile App
- Open the Google Drive app on your phone
- Tap on the file(s) you want to delete
- Tap on the Overflow Menu (3 vertical dots icon)
- Select Remove
- Confirm by tapping Delete Forever
Delete Files Using Google Drive Backup Software
If you use the Backup and Sync software to sync Google Drive to your computer, you can delete files directly from File Explorer or Finder.
- Open File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac)
- Navigate to the Google Drive folder
- Select the files and delete them as you would any normal files
- They will also be removed from your Google Drive storage
Restore Recently Deleted Files
If you accidentally deleted the wrong files, you may be able to restore them:
- Website: Click on Trash > Select file(s) > Click Restore
- Mobile app: Menu > Trash > Tap file > Restore
Files remain in the Trash folder for 30 days before being permanently erased.
Empty Trash to Free Up Space
To manually clear out your Trash and free up storage space:
- Website: Click Trash > Empty Trash > Delete Forever
- Mobile App: Tap Overflow Menu > Empty Trash > Delete Forever
Once deleted from the trash, files are gone forever and cannot be recovered.
Tips for Managing Google Drive Storage
- Use the Starred feature to mark important files so they stand out
- Organize files into folders and subfolders to keep things tidy
- Create separate folders for archived or older files
- Install Drive for desktop for easier file management
- Upgrade to a paid Google One plan if you need more storage space
Keeping your Google Drive organized makes it easier to find, manage, and delete files taking up unnecessary storage room. Follow these best practices to keep your online drive clean and optimized.
Expert Tips on Deleting Google Drive Files
As a digital marketing professional with over 10 years of experience, here are my top tips when deleting files from Google Drive:
Confirm Deletions Carefully
Double and triple check that you have selected the correct files to delete. Once deleted from the trash folder, files are gone forever with no way to recover them. Accidentally deleting important files can be devastating, so take time to carefully confirm your selection before clicking “Delete Forever”.
Create Backups First
Before deleting large batches of files, I recommend creating backups either on your local hard drive or on another cloud storage provider like Dropbox. This gives you a safety net in case you later realize you still need those files.
Delete Old Revisions
Google Docs/Sheets save unlimited revision history which can quickly eat up your storage. Delete old versions you no longer need.
Use Shortcuts to Quickly Select Files
Use Shift/Ctrl Click (Windows) or Command Click (Mac) to quickly select multiple files to delete at once. This saves you time from selecting files one by one.
Check Trash Folder Regularly
Make a habit of periodically checking your Trash folder for files that can be permanently deleted to free up space. An overflowing trash folder limits available storage room.
By following these expert tips, you can effectively manage your Google Drive storage space by safely deleting files you no longer need. Let me know if you have any other questions!
