How to Clear Google Drive Storage: A Comprehensive Guide

Google Drive, that seemingly bottomless pit for our digital lives, eventually fills up. The good news? Clearing space isn’t rocket science. This article will walk you through practical strategies and frequently asked questions to keep your Google Drive lean and efficient.

The Direct Answer: How to Clear Google Drive Storage

The most effective way to clear Google Drive storage is by a multi-pronged approach. It involves identifying and deleting large and unnecessary files, managing your Google Photos storage, emptying your trash folder, and understanding which file types consume the most space. Here’s a detailed breakdown:

1. Identify the Culprits: Go to your Google Drive storage page (drive.google.com/drive/quota). This page displays your files and folders, sorted by size, largest to smallest. This instantly reveals the space hogs.
2. Delete Unnecessary Files: Carefully review the list. Do you need that 5GB video file from 2018? Probably not. Select files and folders you no longer need and click the trash icon.
3. Empty the Trash: Deleting files only moves them to the trash. They still occupy space until you permanently delete them. In Google Drive, click “Trash” on the left-hand sidebar. Then, click “Empty trash” at the top-right. Note: This is permanent! Double-check before you empty.
4. Manage Google Photos: Google Photos shares your Google Drive storage. To free up space, you have two options:
   • Delete Photos/Videos: Identify and delete unwanted photos and videos directly from Google Photos (photos.google.com). Remember to empty the Google Photos trash as well!
   • Change Upload Size: If you’re a Google One subscriber, consider changing the upload size of future photos and videos to “Storage Saver” (previously called “High quality”). This compresses them slightly, using less storage.
5. Check Shared Files: Files shared with you also contribute to your storage if you add them to “My Drive.” Review files in the “Shared with me” section and consider removing them from your drive.
6. Look for Hidden Files: Some apps create hidden folders or files within Google Drive. While you can’t directly see them in the regular interface, you can sometimes identify them by the total storage used. Consider reviewing connected apps (more on this in the FAQs) to understand which apps might be consuming space.
7. Consider Google One: If you regularly exceed your free 15GB, consider upgrading to a Google One plan. These plans offer increased storage and additional benefits.
8. Convert Files to Google Docs/Sheets/Slides: Native Google file formats (Docs, Sheets, Slides) don’t count towards your storage limit, as long as they were created in those formats. Converting existing files to these formats can free up storage. However, be mindful of formatting changes that might occur during the conversion.

By following these steps diligently, you can reclaim valuable storage space in Google Drive and keep your digital life organized.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Google Drive Storage

Here are 12 FAQs to deepen your understanding of Google Drive storage management:

1. What counts towards my Google Drive storage limit?

Everything except native Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides created in those formats. This includes:

• Files uploaded directly to Google Drive (e.g., PDFs, videos, images, zip files).
• Photos and videos in Google Photos (depending on your upload settings).
• Gmail messages and attachments.
• Files you’ve added to “My Drive” from the “Shared with me” section.

2. How do I find the largest files in my Google Drive?

Go to drive.google.com/drive/quota. This page automatically sorts your files by size, with the largest files at the top. You can easily identify space-hogging files and decide whether to delete them.

3. How do I empty the trash in Google Drive?

On the left-hand sidebar of Google Drive, click on “Trash.” At the top-right, click “Empty trash.” Remember that this action is irreversible, so be sure you no longer need the files before emptying the trash.

4. What happens when I delete a file from Google Drive?

When you delete a file, it’s moved to the trash. It remains there, still consuming storage space, until you permanently delete it from the trash. Files in the trash are automatically deleted after 30 days.

5. Does deleting a file from Google Drive also delete it from my computer?

No. Deleting a file from Google Drive only removes it from your cloud storage. It doesn’t affect files stored locally on your computer, unless you’re using Google Drive for desktop and have chosen to mirror specific folders.

6. What is Google One, and how does it relate to Google Drive storage?

Google One is a subscription service that offers expanded storage across Google Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos. It also provides additional benefits, such as access to Google experts, family sharing, and extra member perks. Upgrading to Google One is a convenient way to increase your storage capacity.

7. How do I manage storage in Google Photos?

Open Google Photos (photos.google.com). You can delete unwanted photos and videos. Also, consider the “Storage Saver” (formerly “High quality”) upload setting. Photos and videos uploaded in this setting are compressed, using less storage. Remember to empty the Google Photos trash as well.

8. How do I stop Google Photos from taking up so much storage?

The best way is to choose the “Storage Saver” upload option in Google Photos settings before uploading new photos and videos. For existing photos and videos, you can use the “Recover Storage” option within Google Photos settings. This will compress your existing media to the Storage Saver quality, freeing up space.

9. What are “orphaned” files in Google Drive, and how do they affect my storage?

Orphaned files are files whose parent folder has been deleted. They still exist in Google Drive and consume storage, but they’re no longer organized within a folder structure. To find them, search for files with no parent folder. This usually requires advanced search operators or third-party tools. Deleting these files can free up space.

10. How do I find files that have been shared with me that are taking up space in my Google Drive?

Go to the “Shared with me” section of Google Drive. Any files you’ve added to “My Drive” from this section contribute to your storage. Review these files and remove any you no longer need from “My Drive.”

11. Can connected apps affect my Google Drive storage?

Yes. Certain applications connected to your Google account can store data within your Google Drive. To check connected apps and their storage usage:

• Go to your Google Account settings.
• Navigate to Security > Third-party apps with account access.
• Review the apps listed and consider removing access for apps you no longer use or don’t trust. This might also remove any files stored in your Google Drive by that app.

12. If I upgrade to Google One, how long does it take for the extra storage to become available?

The extra storage usually becomes available almost immediately after you upgrade to a Google One plan. You might need to refresh your Google Drive page or restart the app to see the updated storage capacity. If the storage doesn’t appear immediately, contact Google One support.

By understanding these nuances of Google Drive storage management, you can proactively maintain a clean and efficient digital workspace. It’s not just about deleting files; it’s about understanding how your storage is used and optimizing your workflow to prevent future clutter. Happy cleaning!