Delete a file or folder in three steps

To delete a document, right-click it in your Google Drive and select Delete from the menu. The file moves to your Trash folder, where it stays for 30 days before Google removes it permanently. If you delete by mistake, you can restore it from Trash within that window.

On a phone or tablet, open the file's menu (three dots), tap Remove, and confirm. The process is the same — the file goes to Trash, not straight to permanent deletion.

You can also select multiple files at once by holding Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Mac) while clicking each one, then right-click and choose Delete. This works for folders too, and deleting a folder removes everything inside it.

Key Takeaways

  • Deleted files move to Trash and stay there for 30 days, giving you time to restore them if you change your mind.
  • Right-click a file and select Delete, or use the three-dot menu on phones and tablets.
  • You can select and delete multiple files at once by holding Ctrl or Command while clicking each one.
  • Permanently deleting a file from Trash removes it from Google Drive entirely and frees up your storage space.
  • Deleting a folder removes all files and subfolders inside it, so double-check before confirming.

Understanding the Trash folder and the 30-day window

When you delete a file, Google Drive doesn't remove it when ready. Instead, it moves the file to your Trash folder, where it sits for 30 days. During this time, the file still counts toward your storage quota. You can open Trash, find the file, right-click it, and select Restore to put it back in your Drive.

After 30 days, Google automatically and permanently deletes the file. You cannot recover it after that point. If you know you want to keep something, restore it before the 30 days are up. If you want to free up storage space right away, you can empty Trash manually instead of waiting.

Permanently delete files from Trash

To delete a file permanently before the 30-day window closes, open your Trash folder, right-click the file, and select Delete forever. The file is removed from Google Drive when ready and cannot be restored.

You can also select multiple files in Trash and delete them all at once. At the top of the Trash folder, you'll see an option to Empty trash, which permanently deletes everything in Trash at that moment. Use this carefully — there is no undo after you confirm.

Delete shared files and folders you own

If you own a file or folder that is shared with other people, deleting it removes it from everyone's Drive. The file goes to your Trash first, so you have 30 days to restore it if you change your mind. Other people will see that the file is no longer available once you delete it.

If you are only a viewer or editor on someone else's shared file, you cannot delete it. You can only remove it from your own Drive view by right-clicking and selecting Remove. This takes it out of your Drive but does not delete the file itself — the owner still has it.

What happens to files in shared folders

Deleting a file from a shared folder works the same way as deleting from your own Drive — it goes to Trash for 30 days. However, everyone who has access to that folder will see that the file is gone. If you delete a file by mistake, restore it quickly so others don't lose access to it.

If you are an editor in a shared folder, you can delete files. If you are only a viewer, you cannot. The folder owner controls who has permission to delete, so ask them if you need to remove something and don't have that access.

Recover a deleted file from Trash

Open your Trash folder by clicking Trash in the left sidebar of Google Drive. Find the file you want to restore, right-click it, and select Restore. The file returns to its original location in your Drive.

If the original folder no longer exists, Google Drive puts the file in the root of your Drive (the main folder level). You can then move it to a new location. If you cannot find the file in Trash, it may have been permanently deleted more than 30 days ago.

Delete files to free up storage space

Deleting files from your Drive does not when ready free up storage until you empty Trash. A file in Trash still counts toward your storage limit. To actually reclaim that space, open Trash, select the files you want to remove permanently, and choose Delete forever. You can also empty all of Trash at once.

If you are running low on storage, check your Drive for large files — videos, high-resolution images, and old backups take up the most space. You can sort by file size in Google Drive by clicking the Storage option in the left sidebar to see what is using the most room.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I recover a file after it's been in Trash for more than 30 days?

No. Once the 30-day period ends, Google permanently deletes the file and you cannot restore it. If you think you might need something, restore it from Trash before the important date passes.

What happens if I delete a file that other people are editing?

The file goes to your Trash, and the other people lose access to it when ready. They will see a message that the file is no longer available. If you restore it within 30 days, they can access it again.

Does deleting a Google Doc, Sheet, or Form work the same way as deleting a regular file?

Yes. Google Docs, Sheets, Forms, and Slides all go to Trash when you delete them and stay there for 30 days. You restore them the same way — right-click and select Restore.

Can I delete a file if I only have view-only access?

No. You can only remove it from your own Drive view, which does not delete the file. The owner still has it. To actually delete a file, you must own it or have editor access.

How do I delete a folder and everything inside it at once?

Right-click the folder and select Delete. The entire folder and all files and subfolders inside it move to Trash together. Restore the folder to get everything back, or delete it forever to remove it all permanently.