Accidentally deleted files from Google Drive can often be recovered. This guide explains the process for users and administrators.

For Users: Recovering from Trash #

1. Check the Trash:
   • In Google Drive (drive.google.com), click on Trash in the left-hand navigation menu.
   • Files and folders you delete are moved here.
   • Items in the Trash are permanently deleted after 30 days.
2. Restore from Trash:
   • Find the file/folder in the Trash.
   • Right-click on it.
   • Select Restore. The item will be moved back to its original location in your Drive.
3. Permanently Delete from Trash (Use with Caution):
   • If you’re sure you want to permanently delete an item before the 30-day auto-deletion, you can right-click it in the Trash and select Delete forever. This action cannot be undone by you.

For Administrators: Additional Recovery Options #

• If a user permanently deletes a file from their Trash (or if it’s auto-deleted after 30 days), a Google Workspace administrator has an additional 25-day window to potentially restore that data from the Google Admin console.
• Admin Console Path: Admin console > Users > [Select User] > Restore data.
• This is a last resort and only available to Workspace administrators.

Shared Drives Note: #

• Files in Shared Drives work slightly differently. When a member deletes a file, it goes into the Shared Drive’s Trash.
• Members with Contributor, Content manager, or Manager access can restore items from the Shared Drive’s Trash.
• Items in a Shared Drive’s Trash are also permanently deleted after 30 days. Administrators can also restore data from Shared Drives within a similar timeframe as user data.