How to Recover a Permanently Deleted Google Doc: A Comprehensive Guide

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How to Recover a Permanently Deleted Google Doc: A Comprehensive Guide

Have you ever accidentally deleted a Google Doc and thought it was gone forever? Don't worry, there are several ways to recover a permanently deleted Google Doc. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the steps to recover your valuable documents, whether they were deleted recently or long ago.

Can We Recover Deleted Google Docs?

Before we dive into the recovery methods, let's address a common question: can we recover deleted Google Docs? The answer is yes, but the success of the recovery depends on various factors, such as the time since deletion and whether you have a backup. Let's explore the different methods to recover your deleted Google Docs.

Method 1: Using Cisdem Data Recovery (Windows and Mac)

If you're using a Windows or Mac computer, one of the most reliable methods to recover a permanently deleted Google Doc is by using Cisdem Data Recovery. This powerful data recovery program can scan your computer's storage and retrieve deleted files, including Google Docs. Here's how to use it:

Download and install Cisdem Data Recovery on your computer.
Launch the program and select the drive where the Google Doc was originally stored.
Click on the 'Scan' button to initiate the scanning process.
Once the scan is complete, you will see a list of recoverable files, including your deleted Google Doc.
Select the Google Doc you want to recover and click on the 'Recover' button.
Choose a location to save the recovered file and click 'OK'.
Your deleted Google Doc will now be restored to the selected location.

Method 2: Using Google Vault

If you're a G Suite user, you have the option to use Google Vault to recover deleted Google Docs. Google Vault is an archiving and data management solution provided by Google. Here's how to recover a deleted Google Doc using Google Vault:

Sign in to your G Suite account and go to the Google Vault page.
Click on the 'Matter' tab and select the matter where the Google Doc was located.
Click on the 'Search' tab and enter the name or keywords related to the deleted Google Doc.
Click on the 'Search' button to initiate the search process.
Once the search is complete, you will see a list of results, including the deleted Google Doc.
Select the Google Doc you want to recover and click on the 'Restore' button.
The deleted Google Doc will now be restored to its original location.

Method 3: Using Google Drive Backup

If you have enabled Google Drive backup, recovering a permanently deleted Google Doc becomes much easier. Google Drive automatically creates backups of your files, including Google Docs, which you can restore within a certain time frame. Here's how to recover a deleted Google Doc using Google Drive backup:

Go to Google Drive and sign in to your Google account.
Click on the 'Trash' option located on the left sidebar.
Search for the deleted Google Doc by entering its name or keywords in the search bar.
Once you find the deleted Google Doc, right-click on it and select the 'Restore' option.
The deleted Google Doc will now be restored to its original location in Google Drive.

Method 4: Using Time Machine (on MacOS)

If you're using a Mac computer with Time Machine enabled, you can recover a permanently deleted Google Doc using the Time Machine backup. Time Machine creates regular backups of your files, allowing you to restore them to a previous state. Here's how to recover a deleted Google Doc using Time Machine:

Connect your Time Machine backup drive to your Mac computer.
Open the folder where the Google Doc was originally stored.
Click on the Time Machine icon in the menu bar and select 'Enter Time Machine'.
Navigate through the timeline using the timeline bar or the arrows.
Find the backup that contains the deleted Google Doc and select it.
Click on the 'Restore' button to restore the selected backup.
The deleted Google Doc will now be restored to its original location on your Mac.

Method 5: Using File History (on Windows)

If you're using a Windows computer with File History enabled, you can recover a permanently deleted Google Doc using the File History backup. File History regularly backs up your files, allowing you to restore them to a previous version. Here's how to recover a deleted Google Doc using File History:

Connect your File History backup drive to your Windows computer.
Open the folder where the Google Doc was originally stored.
Right-click on an empty space within the folder and select 'Restore previous versions'.
A list of previous versions of the folder will appear.
Select the version of the folder that contains the deleted Google Doc.
Click on the 'Restore' button to restore the selected version.
The deleted Google Doc will now be restored to its original location on your Windows computer.

Conclusion

Accidentally deleting a Google Doc can be a nightmare, especially if it contains important information. However, with the right methods and tools, you can recover permanently deleted Google Docs. Whether you use data recovery software like Cisdem Data Recovery, Google Vault, Google Drive backup, Time Machine (on MacOS), or File History (on Windows), there is hope for retrieving your valuable documents. Remember to regularly back up your files to avoid potential data loss in the future. Happy recovering!