Deleting Files In Google Drive

When it comes to storing files and documents online, the most popular platform we know of is Google Drive. However, just like any other software, it has limited storage, which means that it might get full over time.

In this case, you may be unable to add or upload new files to your drive. Yet as a solution, you can browse through it and pick old and useless files you can delete. If that’s something you’re unfamiliar with, let the simple steps below guide you to successfully deleting files in Google Drive.

Deleting a File

This is a 3-step guide on how you can delete a single file from your Google Drive however, it will be directed to your bin folder for 30 days before it gets deleted forever.

1. Launch the Google Drive application on your device.

To begin, you must launch the mobile application then make sure that your account is logged in for you to see all the existing files you have.

2. Tap the ellipsis next to the file you want to delete.

On the name of every file, there are three horizontally-stacked dots that you can click for a menu list to appear on your screen. After deciding which file to delete, click that ellipsis beside the file name of the selected document.

3. Select the “Remove” option from the drop-down list.

There will be a lot of options on the list, so scroll down until you see the “Remove” button, which you must click.

If you’re using a computer browser to access Google Drive and want to delete a file, simply right-click it and choose “Remove” from the menu that appears on your screen.

It is important to note that anything you remove from your drive will be directed to the bin folder. Follow the steps below to empty your entire bin and permanently delete the files.

Empty Entire Bin

As all deleted files are directed to your bin, if you want to permanently delete the selected items without having to wait 30 days for them to be permanently removed from your drive, you must empty your entire bin. There is a minor distinction between emptying the bin in the browser and the mobile app.

Using the Browser

This is a 3-step guide on how you can empty your entire bin with the use of your computer browser.

1. Open your browser then go to Google Drive.

First, you must open your web browser then navigate to Google Drive.

2. Select the “Bin” folder on the left panel.

On the left panel of Google Drive’s page, select the “bin” folder to be directed to the page where all your deleted items are located.

3. Tap the “Empty Bin” button on the top-right side of the page.

To permanently delete everything at once, you must click the “Empty Bin” button on the top-right corner of the page and a pop-up confirmation window will appear on your screen.

4. Click the “Delete Forever” button.

For Google Drive to proceed with the action, you must confirm by clicking the “Delete Forever” button on the pop-up window. Clicking this button will delete the items in your bin permanently and you won’t be able to restore any of them.

Using the Google Drive Application

If you are using the Google Drive app on your phone, this is how you will empty your trash folder.

1. Launch the Google Drive application on your phone.

First, open the application on your phone then log into your account.

2. Click the three vertically-stacked lines on the upper left corner of the screen.

After logging in, you will see a menu icon on the top-left side of the screen which you must click. This will show you the list of folders that you can access in your drive.

3. Select “Trash” from the options.

From the list of folders, you must select the “Trash” tab for you to be directed to all the files you’ve deleted and removed from your drive.

4. Click the ellipsis on the top-right corner of the page.

On the trash folder, click the ellipsis on the top-right side of the page and you will be shown a button to empty your bin.

5. Tap the “Empty Trash” button.

To empty your trash, click the “Empty Trash” button in the lower portion of the screen. This will bring up a confirmation box, from which you should select “Delete Forever.”

Finishing Thoughts

Deleting files regularly will contribute to the organization of storage space in your Drive. Take note that Google Drive has the option to permanently delete specific files at a time rather than emptying your entire bin at once.