Have a Google Drive account you want to start fresh? Find out here how to empty Google Drive and delete all files (and how to keep certain documents, too).
First, Semantic Semantic Semantic Semantic Semantic
Do you still know what semantic means?
With an effect first described around the turn of the 20th century and not named until 1961, a word’s constant repetition has the word lose its meaning.
This happens when you say “shoe” over and over, for example, and to oft-used swearwords, too.
Now that we know how to empty words of meaning… how about emptying Google Drive of files (just once)?
How to Delete Everything 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.
Deleted one (or two) too many? How to restore a deleted file in Google Drive
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.
How to Delete Everything 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.
(How to empty Google Drive and delete all files tested in a desktop browser, the Google Drive app 4 and Google Drive for Windows 45; updated February 2024)