How to Restore Files with Google Drive

Restoring Files that have been Deleted

The fastest way to restore deleted files is to use a browser. Go to drive.google.com/drive/trash. Click on the file or click on the three dots at the end of the role and select Restore.

If you delete a file from your computer that has been backed up to Google Drive using the Drive for Desktop application, the file will appear in your desktop trash as well as in your Google Drive Trash. You can restore the file from either location.
 

Restoring Earlier Versions of Google Files

1. Open the file.
2. At the top of the page, select File > Version history > See version history.
3. In the right-hand panel, click the timestamp to see a preview of that version.
4. Once you find the version you want, click Restore this version at the top of the screen.

Restoring Earlier Versions of Non-Google Files

1. Right-click the file and select File information > Manage versions.
2. A window will appear with a list of past versions of the file.
3. To restore an older version, click the three dots next to that version and select Download to save it to your computer.
4. To replace the current version with the earlier version, select Upload new version.

Restore bulk files

In some cases (a new device, recovering from a malware attack), you may need to restore all of your files. Follow these instructions from Google to restore files in bulk with Google Drive. Note: this feature is in Beta and may not be available to all users at this time.