Reviving Your Lost Memories- A Guide to Retrieving Deleted Google Drive Files Beyond the 30-Day Mark

How to recover deleted Google Drive files after 30 days

In today’s digital age, we heavily rely on cloud storage services like Google Drive to store and access our important files. However, accidental deletion of files can be a distressing experience, especially when you realize that the files were deleted more than 30 days ago. The good news is that there are still ways to recover your deleted Google Drive files even after the 30-day window. In this article, we will discuss various methods to help you retrieve your lost files.

Method 1: Check the trash folder

The first and simplest step in recovering deleted files from Google Drive is to check the trash folder. Google Drive automatically moves deleted files to the trash folder, where they remain for 30 days. To access the trash folder, follow these steps:

1. Log in to your Google Drive account.
2. Click on the “Trash” folder on the left-hand side menu.
3. Look for the deleted files you want to recover.
4. Right-click on the file and select “Restore.”

If the file is still in the trash folder, it will be restored to its original location.

Method 2: Use Google Drive’s version history

Google Drive automatically saves previous versions of your files, which can be helpful in recovering deleted files. To access the version history, follow these steps:

1. Right-click on the file you want to recover.
2. Select “Manage versions.”
3. Click on “Restore” next to the version you want to revert to.

If the file has been modified or deleted, you can restore it to any of its previous versions.

Method 3: Utilize Google Drive’s “Find old versions” feature

Google Drive offers a “Find old versions” feature that allows you to search for deleted files based on specific criteria. To use this feature, follow these steps:

1. Go to the Google Drive website and log in to your account.
2. Click on the search bar at the top of the page.
3. Enter “Find old versions” in the search bar.
4. Click on the “Find old versions” option from the search results.
5. Enter the search criteria, such as file name, date, or size.
6. Click “Search” and review the search results to find the deleted file.

If you find the deleted file, you can restore it using the “Restore” button next to the file.

Method 4: Use a third-party data recovery tool

If the above methods do not work, you can try using a third-party data recovery tool. These tools can scan your Google Drive account for deleted files and recover them. Some popular data recovery tools for Google Drive include:

1. Disk Drill
2. Recuva
3. Stellar Data Recovery

Before using a third-party tool, make sure to read the reviews and instructions carefully to ensure the tool is reliable and compatible with your Google Drive account.

Conclusion

Accidentally deleting files from Google Drive can be a frustrating experience, but there are still ways to recover your files even after the 30-day window. By following the methods outlined in this article, you can increase your chances of retrieving your deleted files. Remember to regularly back up your important files to prevent data loss in the future.