Troubleshooting Google Drive Full Storage After Deletion: A Comprehensive Guide

It can be frustrating when your Google Drive still shows as full even after deleting files. Here are several potential reasons for this issue and how to resolve them.

Common Causes for a Full Google Drive

Trash Not Emptied

When you delete files from Google Drive, they move to the Trash or Bin and still count against your storage quota. To free up space, you need to empty the Trash.

Shared Files

If you have files shared with you and you added them to your Drive, deleting them only removes them from your Drive, not from the original owner's Drive. Make sure you have the permission to remove these files from the original owner's drive as well.

Google Photos

Google Photos counts for storage used in Google Drive. Ensure that you have deleted any photos or videos that you no longer need.

Gmail Attachments

Your Gmail storage is combined with Google Drive and Google Photos. Large attachments in your Gmail can also impact your available storage. Check your Gmail for large attachments and remove them if necessary.

Hidden Files

There may be hidden files like backups or app data that are taking up space. Use the storage details feature to see what is occupying your space.

Sync Issues

If you're using Google Drive on multiple devices, a sync issue may be the culprit. Ensure all devices are synced properly and check for any mirroring issues.

Resolving the Issue

To resolve the issue, follow these steps:

Empty your Trash by visiting the Trash tab and selecting 'Move to Trash'. Review shared files and remove any unnecessary ones from your Drive. Check your Google Photos and Gmail for large files and delete them if necessary. Ensure that your Google Drive sync settings are configured correctly. Delete data from spam folders and hidden files in Google Drive, Google Photos, and your Gmail.

By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the issue and free up the necessary storage space on your Google Drive.

Breaking the Mirror: Stopping Drive Sync

If you have sync turned on, anything that happens in other Google apps will get copied to your Google Drive. If you need to stop this behavior, you can do so by adjusting your sync settings in the Google Drive application.

To stop the sync, follow these steps:

Go to the Settings section of Google Drive. Find and turn off the sync option for Google Drive. Delete files from the Trash, spam folders, and hidden folders in Google Drive and Google Photos. Delete unnecessary emails in your Gmail.

Conclusion

Your Google account storage space is occupied by three Google products: Google Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos. To find out which product is using the most space, analyze the storage usage on My Drive, Computer, and Quota for Google Drive, messages and attachments in Gmail, and the size of photos in Google Photos.

By following these detailed troubleshooting steps, you should be able to identify and resolve the cause of your Google Drive being full despite deletions.