Missing a file on Google Workspace? Maybe it’s orphaned or deleted, a possible permission issue or just accidentally moved. Whatever the reason it is, we have a recipe for it.
Work your way through our below list until you find the treasure you are looking for Yarrrrrr I am a pirate.
Table of Contents
Look in Google Drive Trash
When you delete or accidentally delete Google moves our files to Trash. Then like a scene from Mission Impossible: Really Possible we only have 30 days before our message self-destructs.
To view our trash, we can press trash in the left sidebar. We can sort by File Name or Date Trashed to help find our list file.
Search for our missing file on Google Workspace
Use Google Drive search. It’s right at the top staring at us but even we have forgotten it’s there from time to time. It’s better than Windows File Explorer search but only as good as our memory for the correct search term.
We can search for a file’s title or if we can remember its contents. So if you only remember our document had the title Search for our missing file then that’s our search term.
Check for orphaned files
Files become orphaned in Google Workspace when we create a file in a shared folder we don’t own.
If this shared folder is deleted. Our file is orphaned, still exists though. But it has no parent folder to be stored in.
Use Google Drive search and search for
is:unorganized owner:me
If we locate the file right click and press Move to and find our file in a new parent folder.
Contact the owner
If we remember who originally shared the file with us we can contact the owner and ask for the file to be shared again. Be warned they may have revoked our permission for a specific reason or deleted the file.
Clear Google Drive Cache
Sometimes we all need a quick cache clear out to make the day go better. The Google Drive web app is no different.
From our browser select the padlock next to the Google Drive URL, press View Site Information > Site Settings
Then Clear data
Use Chrome or Update
Though most modern browsers are now using Chromium (The engine behind Google Chrome Browser). Google Drive will still work best with Chrome, if you’re not using Chrome then we suggest you switch over for a quick test.
If you use Chrome, we can force an update by opening the 3 Line Menu in the top right Help > About Google Chrome
Struggling with the above recipe? Hire a chef to do it for you