To delete multiple files in Google Drive on a computer, go to drive.google.com, click the first file, then hold Ctrl (Command on a Mac) and click each other file you want to remove. Hold Shift to select a range, or press Ctrl + A to select everything in the folder. Then click the trash can (Move to trash) in the toolbar that appears at the top, or press Delete. The files go to Trash, where they’re permanently deleted after 30 days, or right away if you empty the trash.
Below are the steps for the web and the mobile app, how to find large or old files to clear out, and how to get files back if you delete the wrong ones.
Delete multiple files on drive.google.com
- Open drive.google.com and go to the folder with the files.
- Select files:
- Several files: hold Ctrl (or Command) and click each one, or hover over a file and click its checkbox.
- A range: click the first file, hold Shift, and click the last one.
- Everything in the view: press Ctrl + A (or Command + A).
- Click the trash can icon in the selection toolbar, or press Delete.
You can also drag a group of selected files onto Trash in the left menu.
Delete multiple files in the Google Drive app
- Open the Google Drive app on your phone or tablet.
- Touch and hold a file until a checkmark appears.
- Tap other files to add them. On Android, you may see Select all in the top menu.
- Tap the trash can, or tap More (three dots) > Remove or Move to trash.
Find files worth deleting
- Largest files: Go to drive.google.com/drive/quota (or click Storage in the left menu) to see files sorted by size.
- By type: Use the Type filter at the top of My Drive to show only videos, PDFs, or archives.
- By date: Use the Modified filter, or search with before:2024-01-01 to find older files.
- Owned by you: Search with owner:me so you don’t try to delete files other people shared with you.
Search results can be selected and deleted in bulk just like files in a folder.
Empty the trash to free up space
- Click Trash in the left menu.
- Click Empty trash and confirm with Delete forever.
Storage is freed right away, though your storage meter can take a little while to update.
Deleted the wrong files?
- Open Trash.
- Select the files and click Restore (the counterclockwise arrow).
Files deleted forever usually can’t be recovered. If you have a Google Workspace account through work or school, your administrator may be able to restore them for a short time.
Things to know
- Shared files: Deleting a file you don’t own only removes it from your Drive. The owner and others still have it.
- Files you own that others use: If you delete them, other people lose access, even if the file was shared with them.
- Folders: Deleting a folder moves everything inside it to the trash.
- Google Photos: Photos backed up to Google Photos are managed in Google Photos, not Drive.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a limit to how many files I can delete at once?
There’s no fixed limit, but selecting thousands of files in a browser can be slow. Delete in batches, or delete whole folders.
Why didn’t my storage go down after deleting?
Files in Trash still count toward your storage. Empty the trash. Also check Gmail and Google Photos, which share the same storage.
Can I cancel an upload instead of deleting afterward?
Yes. See how to cancel a Google Drive upload.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.