Deleting a file or folder from Google Drive removes it from your account

When you delete something in Google Drive, it moves to your Trash folder first. It stays there for 30 days, then Google permanently removes it from their servers. During those 30 days, you can restore it. After 30 days, the file is gone and cannot be recovered.

The steps differ slightly depending on whether you are deleting a single file, multiple files at once, or an entire folder. You can delete from the main Drive view, from inside a folder, or from a shared document. The method you use does not change where the item goes — it always lands in Trash first.

Key Takeaways

  • Deleted files move to Trash and stay there for 30 days before Google permanently removes them.
  • You can restore a deleted file from Trash at any point during those 30 days by right-clicking it and selecting Restore.
  • Deleting a folder deletes everything inside it, so check the folder contents before you confirm the deletion.
  • Permanently deleting a file from Trash removes it from Google's servers and makes recovery impossible.
  • If you share a file with others and then delete it, those people lose access to it once it leaves Trash.

How to delete a single file or folder

Open Google Drive in your web browser and locate the file or folder you want to delete. Right-click on it. A menu will appear with several options. Select Delete or Move to Trash — the exact wording depends on your browser and account settings, but both do the same thing. The file or folder when ready disappears from your Drive view and moves to Trash.

If you prefer not to right-click, you can also click the file once to select it, then press the Delete key on your keyboard. On a Mac, press Command + Delete. The file moves to Trash the same way.

If you are inside a folder and want to delete that folder itself, go back to the parent folder (the folder that contains it) and delete from there. You cannot delete a folder from inside itself.

How to delete multiple files at once

Click the checkbox next to the first file you want to delete. While holding Ctrl (or Command on a Mac), click the checkboxes next to the other files. All selected files will show a blue highlight. Once you have selected all the files you want to remove, right-click any of them and select Delete.

Alternatively, select the files the same way, then look for a trash or delete icon in the toolbar at the top of the page. Click it to delete all selected files at once. All files move to Trash together.

How to empty your Trash folder completely

Click Trash in the left sidebar of Google Drive. You will see all files and folders you have deleted in the past 30 days. If you want to permanently delete everything in Trash at once, look for the option to Empty Trash or Delete Forever — usually a button or link near the top of the Trash view.

Clicking this option permanently removes all items in Trash from Google's servers. You cannot undo this action. If you want to keep some files, restore them to your Drive before emptying Trash. To restore a single file, right-click it in Trash and select Restore. It will return to the folder it came from, or to the root of your Drive if that folder no longer exists.

You can also permanently delete individual files from Trash without emptying the entire folder. Right-click a file in Trash and select Delete Forever or Permanently Delete. That file is removed when ready and cannot be recovered.

What happens when you delete a shared file

If you own a file and you delete it, people you shared it with can no longer open it once it leaves Trash. They will see an error message saying the file is no longer available. If you restore the file within 30 days, they regain access. If you permanently delete it, they cannot access it under any circumstances.

If someone else shared a file with you and you delete it, the file only disappears from your Drive. The owner still has it, and other people you shared it with can still see it. Deleting a shared file does not affect anyone else's copy.

Recovering a file you deleted by mistake

Open Google Drive and click Trash in the left sidebar. Find the file or folder you want to restore. Right-click it and select Restore. The file returns to its original location. If the original folder no longer exists, the file goes to the root of your Drive (the main Drive view).

You have 30 days from the deletion date to restore a file. After 30 days, Google automatically and permanently removes it. There is no way to recover a file after this point, so if you think you might need something, restore it before the 30-day window closes.

Deleting files on Google Drive mobile apps

On the Google Drive app for iPhone or Android, open the file or folder you want to delete. Tap the three-dot menu icon (usually in the top right corner). Select Delete or Move to Trash. The file moves to Trash the same way as on the web version.

To empty Trash on mobile, open the app menu, find Trash, and look for an option to delete all items at once. The exact location of this option varies by device and app version, but the process is the same as on the web.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I recover a file after 30 days?

No. Once 30 days pass, Google permanently deletes the file from their servers. There is no way to recover it after that point. If you think you might need a file, restore it from Trash before the 30-day window closes.

Does deleting a file from a shared folder affect other people?

If you own the shared folder, deleting a file removes it for everyone who has access to that folder. If you are a member of a shared folder but do not own it, deleting a file only removes it from your view — other members can still see it.

What if I delete a folder by mistake and it had hundreds of files in it?

All files in the folder move to Trash together. Click Trash, find the folder, right-click it, and select Restore. The entire folder and all its contents return to where it was. You have 30 days to do this.

Can I delete a file that someone else owns but shared with me?

No. You can only delete files you own. If someone else owns a file and shared it with you, you can remove it from your view by clicking the three-dot menu and selecting Remove, but this does not delete the file itself — it only removes your access to it.

Does Google Drive notify the owner if I delete a shared file?

No. Google Drive does not send a notification when you delete a file. However, if the owner checks the file's sharing settings or tries to open it, they will see it is no longer available.