Delete files and use the Trash

Deleting a file in Drive doesn't remove it straight away. It goes to the Trash, where it stays until you empty the Trash or it is cleaned up automatically. This means you can always recover something you've deleted by mistake.

Move a file or folder to the Trash

1. Find the file or folder in Drive.
2. Right-click it (or open the ⋮ menu) and choose Move to trash.

You can also select the item in the list and press Delete or Backspace.

The item disappears from your files and moves to the Trash. If you delete a folder, everything inside it moves to the Trash as well.

Restore something from the Trash

1. Open Trash from the sidebar on the left.
2. Find the item you want to restore.
3. Right-click it (or click the ⋮ button at the end of its row) and choose Restore.

Drive puts the item back where it was. If the original folder was also deleted, the item goes back to the top level of your Drive instead.

Delete an item permanently from the Trash

If you are sure you no longer need something in the Trash, you can remove it for good before it is cleaned up automatically.

1. Open Trash from the sidebar.
2. Right-click the item (or click the ⋮ button at the end of its row) and choose Delete permanently.
3. Confirm in the dialog that appears.

This cannot be undone.

Empty the Trash

To remove everything in the Trash at once:

1. Open Trash from the sidebar.
2. Click Empty trash in the top-right corner.
3. Confirm in the dialog that appears.

Every item in the Trash is permanently deleted. This cannot be undone.

How long items stay in the Trash

Items in the Trash are automatically removed after 30 days. Your administrator can change this period.