Google Drive customers record dropping files from the last few months

PSA: Despite the convenience and rising ubiquity of cloud storage offerings, customers should not anticipate that files stored at the cloud are secure. Many Google Drive customers are now coming across that a glitch inside the service can placed months of records at hazard. Google is investigating the problem, and one consumer has found a possible answer.

Google is investigating numerous instances wherein months' well worth of consumer files have disappeared from Google Drive. Until it resolves the issue, the organization warns customers not to get rid of documents from critical folders, but it might be safe to create new backups.

Multiple account holders have these days complained that their Google Drive documents from the previous couple of months have vanished. One mentioned dropping three months of labor. A person defined the drive rolling returned to May 2023 in a good extra extreme instance.

Unfortunately, Google Drive's built-in document recovery machine doesn't assist because it simplest restores documents that customers deleted. Some discussion board commenters obtained messages from Google guide pronouncing they could not assist, but other signs and symptoms imply the statistics is probably recoverable.

At least one user located that a cache inside the Google Drive segment of the AppData folder contains the latest files however warns others in opposition to manipulating it. An reliable message from Google additionally says users should not delete or move the AppData folder (the Mac equivalent is Application Support) or disconnect the service from their accounts. The most secure degree is to make a neighborhood backup of the entire Google Drive folder until the employer solves the problem.

One character willing to take the risk claims to have recovered the lost files from the cache by way of manipulating an older model of the Drive desktop app. Anyone attempting this solution must be extraordinarily careful, because it goes towards Google's reputable guidelines and could completely harm the document device. Disclaimer out of the way, here's the solution defined:

First, uninstall the laptop app, then install an older edition (version eighty two or eighty three is probably to be had, however ensure it's from a depended on source). Next, deactivate the two Google Update offerings and the two scheduled duties. While Google Drive is not running, navigate to a folder with a protracted number below User Data (they is probably referring to AppData) > Google > DriveFS. Find a folder called "backups," circulate its contents into the primary folder, and restart Google Drive. Finally, back up the primary force folder, re-enable the replace services, wait for the app to vehicle-replace, and use the backup to overwrite the power folder.

No one else has verified the unofficial answer, so it need to possibly be taken simplest as a last lodge, if in any respect. It is probably fine to wait till Google has professional instructions for improving records.