How To Free Up Google Drive Storage After Deleting Files
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You've deleted thousands of photos, cleared out old emails, and even backed up everything to external storage. Yet your Google account still shows that dreaded "98% full" warning. If this sounds familiar, you're not alone—and more importantly, there's a solution.
Tech expert Mikah Sargent recently addressed this frustrating issue on Hands-On Tech, explaining why your Google storage percentage might stubbornly refuse to budge even after what feels like a comprehensive cleanup. The answer involves some hidden locations and a policy change that many users don't know about.
The Trash Can Trap
The most common culprit behind persistent storage issues is surprisingly simple: the trash. When you delete files from Google Photos, Gmail, or Google Drive, they don't disappear immediately. Instead, they're moved to separate trash folders where they'll sit for 30 to 60 days before automatic deletion.
"The number one reason why storage space doesn't update after a massive deletion is that when you delete files from Google Photos, from Gmail, from Google Drive, they aren't gone forever right away," Sargent explained. "They get moved to a trash can or a bin, and this is a special folder where, 30 to 60 days from then, those things get automatically deleted."
Here's the crucial part: files in these trash folders still count against your storage quota. This means your ruthless photo-deleting session won't show results until you take one more step.
Where to Find Your Hidden Files
To truly free up space, you need to empty the trash in each Google service separately. Sargent recommends visiting these specific URLs from a computer (mobile versions may not provide full access):
Google Photos trash: photos.google.com/trash
Google Drive trash: drive.google.com/drive/trash
Don't forget about Gmail either—check both the trash and spam folders to permanently delete emails from those locations as well.
"Head to those different places and delete what's in the trash," Sargent advised. "That is why on your actual local drive, when you get that storage space issue and you've moved things to your recycling bin or your trash can, it's still taking up space on your machine. You've got to get rid of it from there too."
The 2021 Policy Change That Changes Everything
If emptying the trash doesn't solve your problem, there's another factor at play—one that's particularly tricky because it involves a policy change many users aren't aware of.
Before June 1, 2021, Google offered unlimited free storage for photos uploaded in "high quality" (now called "Storage Saver"). Photos uploaded in this compressed format didn't count against your storage quota at all. However, Google changed this policy, and now all photos uploaded after that date count toward your storage limit.
This creates a frustrating scenario: if you've been using Google Photos for years, many of the photos you're deleting might be from before 2021—meaning they were never counting against your storage in the first place.
"Your wife went through and did a massive, ruthless deletion. I would not be surprised to hear that many of the photos she deleted came pre-June 2021," Sargent noted. "And because those photos were uploaded at that time, they were uploaded without taking up any space... so removing them is also not going to make a change to the quota, because those are free photos."
To make a real impact on your storage usage, you need to focus on deleting content uploaded after June 1, 2021.
Use Google's Storage Management Tool
Google provides a dedicated tool to help users understand and manage their storage usage. The Storage Manager, located at one.google.com/storage/management, analyzes your entire Google account and provides personalized recommendations for freeing up space.
"This is something that can give you kind of an overview of what's going on and potentially provide that solution that you're looking for," Sargent explained.
When It's Time to Consider Paid Storage
Sometimes, despite your best cleanup efforts, the solution isn't about deleting more files—it's about acknowledging that you need more space. This is especially true for families who are actively creating new memories through photos and videos.
"My guess is that's not going to slow down. You're going to continue to take photos and videos," Sargent observed. "So, as difficult as it might be to stomach for some people, it may be time to look at paying for more storage."
Google One offers various subscription tiers that can provide the breathing room your account needs. These tiers allow you to focus on capturing memories rather than constantly managing storage space.
The Solution Strategy
To resolve persistent Google storage issues, follow this systematic approach:
First, empty all trash folders across Google Photos, Google Drive, and Gmail from a desktop computer. Next, focus your deletion efforts on content uploaded after June 1, 2021, as older content may not be counting against your quota anyway. Use Google's Storage Manager tool to get a comprehensive view of your usage and identify the biggest space consumers. Finally, consider whether a paid Google One subscription makes more sense than constantly managing storage limits.
The key is understanding that Google's storage system has multiple layers and policies that aren't immediately obvious to users. By addressing the trash folders and understanding the 2021 policy change, most users can reclaim significant storage space without needing to upgrade to a paid plan immediately.
Remember, if you're still having issues after following these steps, the problem might be more complex and could benefit from additional troubleshooting or professional technical support.
