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Google shared drive file disappeared? Here’s the solution
3 min. read
Updated onOctober 4, 2023
updated onOctober 4, 2023
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Key notes
ManyGoogle Driveusers share their files.Google Driveusers in organizations share files onshared team drivesthat include members with different access permissions. Content within a shared drive is collectively owned by members of the drive.
When a shared drive file disappears, a member has usually deleted it. However, users might sometimes need to restore deleted files on shared drives.
Admin users can restore erased files on shared GD drives for 25 days after they’ve been deleted.
Can files disappear from Google Drive?
Shared GoogleDrive filesalso disappear for owners when they become orphaned files.
That can happen when a non-owner of a shared file deletes it. Then the orphaned file disappears, but it still exists for the owner. File owners can recover missing orphaned files withGoogleDrive’s search tool.
So, there are two alternative solutions for recovering sharedGoogleDrivefiles that disappear. This is how you can recover deleted files on shared drives and shared orphaned files.
How do I recover a shared file in Google Drive?
1. Use the Google Admin console
Note:Only Google administrator users can restore deleted files for shared GD drives as outlined above. Users who can’t log in to the Admin Console will need to ask an administrator who can recover deleted files.
2. Restore orphaned Google Drive files
Users can also find and fix orphanedGoogle Drivefiles with the GAT+ G Suite add-on. That’s an audit tool for G Suite apps that only admin users can install from theGAT+ page.
You can find orphaned files with that add-on by clickingDriveon the left of the GAT+ window and selectingOrphaned. That will display orphaned files. Then you can click theFile Operatorsbutton to select aFix orphansoption.
The above solutions will often restore sharedGoogle Drive filesthat have disappeared. If you know a shared GD drive file has been deleted, try restoring it with the first resolution.
If you’re not sure what’s happened to a shared file, you might need to find an orphaned file as outlined for the second resolution.
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Matthew Adams
Windows Hardware Expert
Matthew is a freelancer who has produced a variety of articles on various topics related to technology. His main focus is the Windows OS and all the things surrounding it.
He is passionate about the tech world, always staying up-to-date with the latest and greatest. With an analytical view, he likes problem-solving, focusing on errors and their causes.
In his free time, he likes to read and write about history and tries to always develop new skills.
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Matthew Adams
Windows Hardware Expert
He is passionate about everything surrounding Microsoft’s OS, focusing on troubleshooting guides & tips for everyday problems.
