How to Solve “Google Backup and Sync Deleting Files” Issue (2023)

Google Backup and Sync Deleted Local Files!

“I am using Google Backup and Sync to sync files between computer and cloud. Recently, I upgrade it to the latest version but find that Google Backup and Sync is deleting files. Why the latest Google Backup and Sync deletelocal files or an entire folder? I’m missing a lot of files! Will I get them back? Please give me some suggestions. Thanks!”

As mentioned in the case, some users complain that they findGoogle Backup and Syncis automatically deleting local files from the system. The official Drive help forum is full of such complaints. Both Windows and Mac users report that Backup and Sync deletes files/folders from the local Drive folder on their systems without permission.

Note:From October 2021, Google Backup and Sync have been upgradedwith Drive File Stream to a new app,Drive for desktop. You can still solve the Google Drive desktop application problem in this article.

4 Fixes to “Google Backup and Sync Deleting Files” Issue

To solve this problem, you can try some common fixes to Google Backup and Sync errors. In the following contents, we will introduce several common effective fixes, you can try them one by one until your problem gets solved.

Fix 1. Remove the Syncing

Generally, when you delete one file or folder from your Google Drive folder on your computer, it automatically gets deleted from the Google Drive web application too. Similarly, if you find that your files were accidentally deleted files on Google Drive, Google Backup and Sync will delete files from the computer too.

If you want to delete files from the computer only, just remove the syncing.

1. Click the “Back up and Sync” icon, on the taskbar on your computer and select "Preferences" from the settings.

2. Uncheck the box next to"Sync My Drive to this computer".

3. Click "OK"to apply changes.

Then, no matter you want to delete files from computer but not Google Drive or delete from Google Drive but not computer, it will no longer sync the changes between your Google Drive and computer automatically.

Fix 2. Reinstall Google Backup and Sync

Under normal circumstances, most problems can be solved by reinstalling because your installed version of the software is either old or corrupted. Now that Backup and Sync have been replaced by Drive for desktop, you can reinstall the correct program,it may work normally again.

1. Follow the normal steps to uninstall Google Backup and Sync on your computer.

Mac:Open the Finder, click "Applications", drag "Backup and Sync" to the "Trash" at the bottom, navigate to the “Go” menu, select "Library", and delete the "Application Support / Google / Drive" folder.

Windows:Press "Windows+I", then click "Apps", select "Apps & features" on the left, enter "Backup and Sync" in the search box, find the program, and click "Uninstall".

2. Navigate togoogle.com/drive/download/, download and install the latest version of Backup and Sync, which is Drive for desktop.

3. Open the latest version of the program, log in to your account, and check whether it works normally.

Fix 3. Use Google Drive via the Browser

This step would fix the problem if the syncing issue is app-related. This is only a temporary fix, but if there is something wrong with your sync app and you’re in a rush to upload or access files, this would be a workaround. Open Chrome or any browser that you like and head to the Google Drive website and sign in with your Google e-mail and password to proceed.

Best Way to Avoid Google Backup and Sync Deleting Files

If Google Drive Backup and Sync deleting files persist after the above three methods, users can use a more stable cloud backuptool to back up and sync files to Google Drive. The freeCBackuphelps users, the cloud backup and sync service support the automatic transferof local files to public cloud drives, such as Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, etc.

With CBackup, you can stop worrying about not being able to store your files properly when you encounter tricky Google Drive errors.

Powerful backup and sync features, likeScheduler,Email notification, andFile Filter, it's easy for you to transfer cloud data between clouds and save your time and effort.
Cloud to cloud syncwill sync all files or specific files from one cloud to another easily, there is no need to download and upload, it's very straightforward.
Backup and syncfiles to Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive,and backup more data toCombined Cloud,CBackup Cloud, easily.
10GB of CBackup Cloud is freefor you to store files securely.

Just follow the steps to synccomputer to Google Drivequickly with the CBackup app now:

1. Download the CBackup app and launch it.Sign upfor an account on CBackup, if you already have an account, you can sign in directly.

Download CBackupWin 11/10/8.1/8/7/XP

Secure Download

2. ClicktheStoragetab, then chooseGoogle Drive>Authorize Nowto authorize your account.

Note:You can add a public cloud account to CBackup with confidence because the service is based on a secure OAuth system and the platform does not store your personal user information.All the accounts you added will be listed under the "My Storage" tab.

3. Then clickSync > SyncPC to Public Cloud.

Tips:You could also click theBackuptab on the left menu, then hitBackup PC to Public Cloudtobackup computer to Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, etc.

4.Select the files and folders that need to be synced to the cloud.Then select yourGoogle Driveaccount as the transfer destination.Tap theStart Syncbutton to transfer Windows files to Google Drive.

⇒ Note:Go toSettingsto set up Google Drive backup task to perform automatically, just checkSet a sync schedule for automated syncunder the Scheduler tab.

Bonus Tip: Switch to Other Cloud Storage for Use

If you are using Google Backup and Sync on your PC, you might have met different kinds of errors such as “Backup and Sync not working”, “Backup and Sync Stuck” for unknown reasons, and there is no guarantee that you can fix these errors every time successfully. In addition, it’s not continent to use the web version to upload files manually.

Therefore, if you are tired of handling these problems, you can switch to other popular cloud storage like Dropbox and OneDrive directly. If there are too many files in Google Drive that need to be migrated from Google Drive to other cloud storage, don’t worry, CBackupcan offer help.

CBackup is a professional cloud backup service that supports cloud to cloud backup and sync. You can use it to transferGoogle Drive files to other cloud storage to avoid sync errors easily.

Let’s take Google Drive and OneDrive as an example to show you how tobackup Google Drive to OneDrivefor free with CBackup desktop app:

Tip:If it's easier for you to use the web, you can go directly to the CBackup website and do the following in the web app.

1. After logging in to CBackup, add your other cloud driveaccount as described above, and then click "Backup Public Cloudto Public Cloud" under the "Backup" tab.

2. Select Google Drive as theSourceand chooseOneDriveas theDestination.Finally, click "Start Backup" to backup Google Drive to OneDrive easily.

Final Words

Generally, the “Google Backup and Sync deleting files” issue can be fixed with the methods above. If you can’t solve this error after trying all the methods above, you can switch to other cloud storage directly and easily with the help of CBackup. If you want to protect your files in Google Drive, you can also use CBackup tobackup cloud datato make a copy.

Of course, if you don't like to deal with the Google Backup and Sync remove folder problem repeatedly, we highly recommend that you use the free CBackup, which manages multiple cloud drives with one click and never backs up files to the cloud without errors.

FAQs

How to Solve “Google Backup and Sync Deleting Files” Issue? ›

In most cases, it may be because there are shared collaboration folders in the files you deleted, and these files may reappear after deletion. Besides, if you directly delete a certain folder, the files under that folder may not be deleted, they still exist in Google Drive.

How do I stop Google from deleting files? ›

How to Fix Google Drive Randomly Deleting Files
  1. Way 1. Check the Trash Folder.
  2. Way 2. Check the Activity Panel.
  3. Way 3. Switch to Incognito Mode.
  4. Way 4. Change a Browser.
  5. Way 5. Restore from Admin Console.
  6. Tip: Use Another Reliable Way to Back up Your Important Files.
Sep 30, 2022

How do I fix Google Backup and sync? ›

How to Fix Google Backup and Sync Not Working?
  1. Pause it.
  2. Restart Google Backup and Sync.
  3. Reinstall Google Backup and Sync.
  4. Choose correct account.
  5. Run Backup and Sync as administrator.
  6. Sychronize folder settings.
  7. Check Firewall settings.
  8. Change Proxy settings.
Apr 3, 2023

How do I delete files from Google Backup and sync? ›

Delete an individual file forever
  1. On your computer, go to drive.google.com.
  2. On the left, click Trash.
  3. Click a file.
  4. At the top, click Delete forever .

Why some files are not deleting in Google Drive? ›

In most cases, it may be because there are shared collaboration folders in the files you deleted, and these files may reappear after deletion. Besides, if you directly delete a certain folder, the files under that folder may not be deleted, they still exist in Google Drive.

How do I stop files from automatically deleting? ›

Step 1: In the “Settings,” go to “System” and look for the “storage” option. Step 2: The “Storage Sense” option is “On” by default. Turn it off so that Windows 10 doesn't delete any of the files from recycle bin or downloads folder automatically.

What keeps deleting my files? ›

Windows Storage Sense feature: The main reason for this problem is due to a newer feature of Windows called "Storage Sense". If you turn on this feature, it will automatically delete unused files and temporary files when your computer is running low on disk space.

Is Google discontinuing Backup and Sync? ›

Yes, Backup and Sync are discontinued by Google. While Google had a nice way of putting it by saying, "Backup and Sync and Drive File Stream Have been unified into Drive for desktop,” a lot of people didn't take it lightly. After 1st October 2021, it stopped working for users around the globe.

Is Google Backup and Sync no longer supported? ›

When you find the “Backup and Sync is no longer available and can be removed from your computer” notice, don't worry. You can head to another desktop app that Google Drive offers. That is called Drive for desktop. With this service, users can backup local data to Google Drive and Google Photos.

What is Google Backup and Sync called now? ›

To easily manage and share content across all your devices and the cloud, use Google's desktop sync client: Drive for desktop.

Does Google Drive Backup deleted files? ›

As an administrator, you can recover deleted items from Google Drive within 25 days after a user empties their trash. After that period, Google purges the data from its systems. Depending on the amount of data that you want to restore, it might take several days for the data to reappear in the user's account.

How do I delete files from Sync? ›

You can also delete the file through the normal process of right-clicking on the file or folder within the Sync folders and choosing Delete.

How do I delete local files without deleting from Google Drive? ›

Method 1.

Luckily, the Google Drive desktop app has an option that can make “delete files from computer but keep them stored on Google Drive” happen. What you can do is to set all Google Drive files on your computer online-only. By doing so, you can make all files available online only and clear space on computer.

Why are my deleted files in Google Drive but still says full? ›

Therefore, if you find “deleted files from Google Drive but still full”, you can try emptying the Trash folder as follows: Step 1: Go to Google Drive and click the Trash option on the left. Step 2: Click the Empty trash option at the top right corner and then click the Delete forever button.

Does deleting files from Google Drive delete them from Google Photos? ›

If you delete a photo from your Google Drive& it doesn't affect it in your Google Photos account. The only way it does is if you synced both. We will look at deleting photos from Google Drive on your computer considering that it is not synced.

Where do permanently deleted files go on Google Drive? ›

Recently deleted files go to the Trash/Bin folder in your Google Drive and from here you can restore them within 30 days. Simply right click on the file you want to recover and click Restore.

Why are my files getting deleted when I click on it? ›

Problem: Files Get Deleted Automatically When Left-Click

It has been reported by many users on Windows 10. Incomplete installation of programs, problematic Windows OS, outdated mouse driver, virus attacks, and false registry change on your system are the main reasons for this to occur.

Why are my downloads deleting themselves? ›

▶ Files deleted by Storage Sense to free up space.

When you are running low on disk space and you have turned on Storage Sense, your temporary files, downloaded files, and even files in the Recycle Bin will be automatically deleted to free up disk space.

How do I get rid of auto delete virus? ›

How to Remove Virus That Automatically Delete Files
  1. Right-click on Start and select Command Prompt (Admin). Sign in with your Administrator account and password if the system asks.
  2. Type: D: and hit Enter. ...
  3. Type: attrib and hit Enter.
  4. Type: attrib -r -a -s -h *. ...
  5. Type: del autorun.

How do you delete files which are not deleting? ›

Use Shift + Delete to Force Delete File/Folder. You can select the target file or folder and press Shift + Delete keyboard shortcut to delete the file/folder permanently.

What files should not be deleted? ›

Summary:
  1. Program files folder. Program files named folder contains all the programs that are installed in your PC by default. ...
  2. WinSxS folder. It comes under the windows folder that is abbreviated for windows side by side. ...
  3. System32 folder. ...
  4. Windows folder. ...
  5. System volume information folder. ...
  6. Swapfile. ...
  7. Pagefile. ...
  8. Conclusion.
Aug 11, 2021

What replaces Backup and sync on Google Drive? ›

The company is rolling out the new Drive for desktop app on Mac and Windows. Drive for desktop will replace the Backup and Sync app (which supplanted the Google Drive desktop app in 2018) as well as Drive File Stream , which is for business users.

Is Google Drive replacing Backup and sync? ›

Starting from July 2021, this world-class file hosting service declared to unify the two utilities into a single sync client, Drive for desktop. According to the Google Drive announcement, Google Drive for desktop is replacing Backup and Sync starting from July 19.

What replaces Google Sync? ›

Google recently announced its unified Drive for the desktop app, which is set to replace Backup and Sync for individuals. Starting July 19, Google will begin transitioning to the new Drive app for Windows and macOS users.

Do I need both Google Drive and Backup and Sync? ›

Google Backup and Sync and Drive for Desktop have essentially the same objective: to provide a sync solution where users can access their files in a much more convenient way. While Backup and Sync is mostly used to sync and store Drive locally on your computer, Drive for Desktop streams all your content from the cloud.

Is Backup and Sync shutting down? ›

From October 1 onwards Google will shut down its Back up and Sync app and users will no longer be able to sign in to that platform. In terms of looks and features, Drive for desktop will be nearly identical to the standard web-based Drive client.

Why does Google Backup fail? ›

Sometimes, Google One backup does not work because the application has a lot of cached data. Before taking other methods, you can clear the app data and cache and see if the app works properly. 1. Open Settings on your Android and select Storage.

What is the new Backup and Sync app? ›

Backup and Sync is an app for Mac and PC that backs up files and photos safely in Google Drive and Google Photos, so they're no longer trapped on your computer and other devices. Just choose the folders you want to back up, and we'll take care of the rest.

Is Google Drive a good Backup solution? ›

Google's built-in cloud storage service, Drive, is a simple, intuitive and secure file sync tool, but we don't recommend it for backups.

How long does Google keep backups? ›

Your backup will remain as long as you actively use your device. If you don't use your device for 2 weeks, an expiration date may appear below your backup. This will tell you how much longer your backup will exist without further action from you. After 57 days, your backup will expire.

What happens if I delete everything in Google Drive? ›

After deleting everything from Google Drive, all your files will be saved in Trash Bin. If you want to delete them permanently, just try the following steps: 1.

What happens if files stop syncing? ›

When you stop syncing a folder, the folder is disconnected from its library. All files are retained in the previously synced folder. You can sync the library to your computer again at any time. When you start syncing a library again, it will create a new folder on your computer.

What is the purpose of syncing files? ›

Synchronization makes sure any changes to a file on the desktop or in the cloud service are reconciled so that each copy of the file reflects your latest changes.

What happens if I delete a synced folder? ›

If a folder is partially synced, additional items not visible on your computer may also be permanently deleted from Box. Deleting parent folders locally from your Box Sync folder could cause subfolders that you haven't synced to be deleted inadvertently. You can always recover deleted items from the Trash page.

How to take backup from Google Drive to PC without deleting files? ›

You can sync files and folders in Google Drive to your computer for offline use.
  1. On your computer, click Backup and Sync Backup and Sync.
  2. Click More and then Preferences.
  3. At the left, click Google Drive.
  4. Click Sync My Drive to this computer.
  5. Choose if you want to: Sync everything in My Drive. ...
  6. Click OK.
Jan 25, 2021

How do I clean up files in Google Drive? ›

Clean up storage through Google One
  1. On your Android device, open the Google One app .
  2. At the bottom, tap Storage. Free up account storage.
  3. Select the category you want to manage.
  4. Select the files you want to remove. To sort files, at the top, tap Filter . ...
  5. After you select your files, at the top, tap Delete .

How long does Google Drive keep permanently deleted files? ›

There's a 25 Days File Recovery Window

Google Workspace Admins can recover permanently deleted Drive files and folders within 25 days of deletion from the Trash using the admin console. After that, these files disappear from Google's systems. To recover them simply follow these file recovery steps.

Will photos stay on Google Drive if I delete them from my phone? ›

If you remove copies of photos and videos on your Android device, they're now deleted but you can still: See your photos and videos, including the ones that you've just removed, in the Google Photos app and photos.google.com.

Does Google Photos keep photos forever? ›

If you're inactive in Google Photos for 2 years or more, your content may be deleted. Learn about the Google Photos inactivity policy. If you're over your storage limit for 2 years or more, your content may be deleted.

What is the difference between Google Drive and Google Photos? ›

Google Drive is for quickly sharing a folder of photos, particularly in a work context. Google Photos is for backing up and searching a growing photo collection, and it's probably most useful for personal use.

Can I recover permanently deleted files? ›

If you don't have any backups, consider using data recovery software to search for and restore your deleted files. Solutions like Disk Drill, Windows File Recovery, and PhotoRec are powerful and effective at scanning your drive and recovering any data that's found.

Does Google Drive store files permanently? ›

Your content will be eligible for deletion when you have been over your storage quota for 2 years. To make sure your content is not deleted, either reduce how much storage you're using or upgrade to a larger storage plan with Google One.

How do I contact Google Drive support? ›

To contact a support specialist for help with your Google Workspace account:
  1. Sign in to your Google Admin console. ...
  2. At the top right of the Admin console, click Get help .
  3. In the Help window, click Contact support.
  4. At the bottom of the Help window, describe your issue and click Send .

Does Google delete your files? ›

Your content will be eligible for deletion when you have been over your storage quota for 2 years. To make sure your content is not deleted, either reduce how much storage you're using or upgrade to a larger storage plan with Google One.

Does Google automatically delete? ›

When your Google Account has not been used within a 2-year period, your Google Account, that is then deemed inactive, and all of its content and data may be deleted. Before this happens, Google will give you an opportunity to take an action in your account by: Sending email notifications to your Google Account.

Does Google Drive delete files after time? ›

Yes, according to Google, it has the right to remove your items stored on Google Drive if you are inactive for a long period of time – 2 years.

Does Google keep permanently deleted files? ›

All the files you deleted will go to the Trash and all the deleted items in Google Drive Trash will be saved for 60 days. Only when you delete the files from Trash or you empty the Trash, will the files be deleted from Google Drive permanently.

Why was a file automatically removed from Google Drive? ›

Check your upload settings: Make sure that your upload settings in Google Drive are configured correctly. For example, if you have set a limit on the file size, files that exceed the limit will be automatically deleted. You can change these settings by going to the settings page in Google Drive.

Where do deleted Google files go? ›

On a computer, go to drive.google.com/drive/trash. Tip: You can sort your trashed files by trashed date to find the oldest or newest files trashed.

How do I recover permanently deleted files on Android? ›

Method 1: Recover From Backup
  1. Pay a visit to your device's Settings.
  2. Choose “Accounts and back up”.
  3. Tap on Backup and restore.
  4. Select Restore data.
  5. Choose what you would like to restore, and then tap on Restore.
Oct 3, 2022

Does Google back up everything? ›

Gain peace of mind knowing Google One seamlessly backs up what's important on your device — photos, videos, contacts, and more. With just one tap, you can turn it on in the Google One app. And if you break or lose your device, no problem. Just restore everything to your new one, and you're good to go.

How do I manage Google storage? ›

Clean up storage through Google One
  1. On your Android device, open the Google One app .
  2. At the bottom, tap Storage. Free up account storage.
  3. Select the category you want to manage.
  4. Select the files you want to remove. To sort files, at the top, tap Filter . ...
  5. After you select your files, at the top, tap Delete .

How long does Google remove deleted data? ›

Google Cloud commits to delete Customer Data within a maximum period of about six months (180 days).

Does Google Drive delete backups? ›

If you don't use your device for two weeks, an expiry date may appear below your backup. This will tell you how much longer your backup will exist without further action from you. After 57 days, your backup will expire. When that happens, it is automatically removed from Drive and deleted.

How long does Google Drive keep your files? ›

Google Drive does keep versions of files going back 30 days (more if you get into preferences) and keeps a trash folder for deleted files. So it can be used for backing up data.

Is Google Drive backup permanent? ›

Every time you create a Google Drive backup using the same Google account, the previous backup will be overwritten by Google. There's no way to restore an older Google Drive backup.

Are deleted files ever really gone? ›

What really happens when you delete a file? When you drag a folder into the trash bin on your desktop, all you're doing is deleting the file system — the road the operating system takes to retrieve the data. The file still exists on the hard drive and could easily be retrieved with recovery software.

Do deleted files really go away? ›

It is important to remember that a deleted file can be recovered. When you receive a pop-up notification from your computer that states “Your trash bin is empty”, many people take the computer's word for it. But just because you delete a file, doesn't mean that the data is gone forever.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Lidia Grady

Last Updated: 01/11/2024

Views: 5235

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (45 voted)

Reviews: 84% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Lidia Grady

Birthday: 1992-01-22

Address: Suite 493 356 Dale Fall, New Wanda, RI 52485

Phone: +29914464387516

Job: Customer Engineer

Hobby: Cryptography, Writing, Dowsing, Stand-up comedy, Calligraphy, Web surfing, Ghost hunting

Introduction: My name is Lidia Grady, I am a thankful, fine, glamorous, lucky, lively, pleasant, shiny person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.