How to Delete Files from Google Drive

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This Itechguide teaches you how to delete files from Google Drive. The guide covers steps to delete files from Google Drive from a PC, iPhone or Android.

Option 1: Delete Files from Google Drive via a PC

• Open Drive.Google.com from a browser on your PC. Then, sign in with your Google Account.

• When Google Drive opens, locate the file or folder you want to delete and right-click it. From the displayed options, click Remove.

• The file or folder will be moved to your Google Drive Bin. To undo the delete, on the notification at the bottom left of the page, click UNDO.

• To permanently delete the file, on the left pane of Google Drive, click Bin.

• Then, locate the file you just deleted – right-click the file and select Delete forever. Google Drive will request a confirmation.

• Finally, at the Delete forever? confirmation pop up window, click DELETE FOREVER.

Option 2: Delete Files from Google Drive Through Android and iPhone

• Open Google Docs App on your Android or iPhone.

• Then, at the bottom right of the App, tap the Files tab.

• Tap the menu icon beside the folder or file you want to delete. The menu icon is the 3 dots beside the item you want to delete. Some options will be displayed.
• The dots are vertical on the Android App but horizontal on the iPhone App.

• Scroll down to the bottom of the displayed options and tap Remove. On the Android App, the item will be removed (moved to Bin) without asking for confirmation.
• However, the iPhone App will ask for confirmation before moving the file to Bin.

• If you use an iPhone, at the bottom right of the Remove confirmation pop up, tap Remove.

• Immediately after deleting the file or folder, you can stop the delete by tapping Undo (bottom right of the screen).

• To permanently delete the file or folder from Google Bin, tap the home button.

• Then, at the top left of the App, tap the menu icon (3 lines). Some options will be displayed.

• From the displayed options, tab Bin.

• When Google Drive Bin opens, locate the file or folder you want to delete permanently and tap the menu icon beside it.

• Then, at the bottom of the screen, tap Delete forever. The App will display a Delete confirmation pop up.

• Finally, at the bottom right of the Delete? confirmation pop up window, tap Delete forever.

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