Google Drive alerts scream “storage full” and old files clog your every folder? Want to start fresh? Find out here how to empty Google Drive and delete all files ⤓ (and how to keep certain documents, too).
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How to Delete All Files in Google Drive
Time needed: 4 minutes
To delete all files and empty your Google Drive:
- Open Google Drive in a desktop browser.
- Select My Drive.
- Scroll to the very bottom repeatedly until no more documents load.
- Highlight a random document.
Google Drive keyboard shortcut: Press G followed by L to focus your Google Drive documents.
- Press Shift A to select all documents.
- Optional: Click any documents or folders you want to keep while you hold down the
Ctrl(Windows, Linux) orCommand(Mac) key.Keep documents, spreadsheets, and presentations: See below for setting up a folder that contains all Google Docs files (documents, spreadsheets, presentations, etc.) and do deselect the 00 *Keep folder.
- Click Remove in the Google Drive toolbar.
Keyboard shortcut: You can also press # to delete.
- Empty the Google Drive trash right away if you want.
Google Drive trash will clear automatically: Files in the trash folder will be permanently deleted after 30 days in any event.
Their word: Google include information on deleting files in Drive help.
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Exclude Editable Google Docs Files from Emptying Google Drive
To make sure you keep documents you can edit online in Google Docs:
- Click New followed by Folder in Google Drive.
Google Drive keyboard shortcut: Press Shift F to create a folder. - Type
00 *Keep(or another name that helps you recognize the documents you want to keep, of course) under New folder. - Click CREATE.
- Now click Search in Drive.
Keyboard shortcut: Type/to focus the Google Drive search field. - Type
owner:me type:document type:spreadsheet type:presentation type:form type:drawing type:site() to find all word processing documents, spreadsheets, presentations, drawings, websites and forms you have created in or added to Google Docs. - Press Enter.
- Continue scrolling to the bottom until no new documents appear.
- Press G immediately followed by L and then Shift A to select all documents.
- Now press Z.
- Click > for My Drive.
- Now highlight the 00 *Keep folder.
- Click MOVE.
Deleted one (or two) too many? How to restore a deleted file in Google Drive
How to Delete All Files in Google Drive: FAQ
Can I empty my Drive using the iPhone or Android app?
Yes, but be prepared to tap and drag a lot.
To empty Google Drive using the apps for iOS and Android:
- Go to the Files tab in the Google Drive app.
- Select My Drive.
- Tap and hold the top file or folder.
- Once it is selected, let go.
- With two fingers, tap the second file or folder and drag down with both fingers.
- Continue adding to the selection until everything is highlighted.
- Tap the three dots menu icon.
- Select Remove from the menu that has appeared.
- Now select Move to trash.
- Empty the Google Drive trash.
Can I delete all files in Google Drive using Google Drive for Windows or Mac?
Yes.
To empty Google Drive using Google Backup and Sync or Google Drive for Mac and Windows:
- Open the My Drive folder in Windows Explorer or Finder.
- Press Ctrl A (Windows) or Command A (Mac) to select all files and folders.
Keep some files: do deselect certain files and folders, of course, to keep them. - Press Del (Windows) or Command Backspace (Mac) to move the files to the Google Drive trash.
- Empty Google Drive’s trash.
(Tested in a desktop browser, the Google Drive app 4 and Google Drive for Windows 45; first published February 2021, last updated July 2026)