Google offers a possible fix to regain your lost files from Google Drive's recent data loss glitch

May 2024 · 2 minute read
Data loss is a nightmare that many of us have experienced, and recently, Google Drive users came face-to-face with this frustration when the desktop app encountered a bug that wiped out files for some users. Fortunately, as reported by The Verge, Google has swooped in to save the day with a solution to help users get their missing files back.


While it is not as simple as pressing a magic button, Google has provided a clear-cut guide to restoring your files. However, it is not foolproof, requires local storage, and may need a trip to the command line interface. Now, let’s see what to do to reclaim your lost files.

  • Click the Drive for the desktop icon in the menu bar or system tray. 
  • Press and hold the Shift key while clicking "Settings." 
  • Select "Recover from backups."


  • If you stumble upon any issues during the recovery process, Google suggests using the Drive for desktop app's feedback form, adding the hashtag #DFD84, and ticking the box to include diagnostic logs. For more advanced users, there is an alternative recovery method via the command line interface, as outlined on Google's support page. And if all else fails, check out the troubleshooting suggestions.

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