Google Drive: We know why some files suddenly disappear and how to avoid disaster

Google has explained why many Drive users have suddenly lost months of data in recent weeks. It appears that the issue is with the service’s desktop app. The company offered some advice to avoid the worst until the problem is resolved once and for all.

Panic has been reigning among Google Drive users for several weeks. And for good reason: It’s hard to imagine anything worse than what’s happening to some unlucky people right now. In fact, many report several months of data disappearing without a trace. No amount of manipulation by them can explain this phenomenon. What’s worse is that the severity of the situation varies: While some reported losing 2 or 3 months of their time, others had to say goodbye to 2-year-old files.

Google later claimed it was investigating the issue but had no news for several days. Finally, the company published a message on its support forum on Monday, November 27, to reveal the progress of the work. Unfortunately, there is still no definitive solution on the horizon. However, the investigation continues because a suspect has been found. It appears that the error is caused by the desktop version of Google Drive.

How to prevent losing all your files on Google Drive?

In fact, without giving details, Google says it is now focusing its efforts on the desktop app. We’ll have to wait a little longer to be eligible for a fix, but in the meantime the company still offered some advice to avoid the worst. More precisely, two manipulations should be avoided at all costs:

• You should not disconnect your account from the desktop application
• You should not move the Google data folder to your computer

Here’s where to find this folder:

• On Windows: C: > Users > username > AppData > Roaming > AppData > Local > Google > DriveFS
• On Mac: Library > Application Support > Google > DriveFS

Finally, Google recommends that you make a copy of all your files stored in Drive to put them somewhere safe on the hard drive. We have prepared a complete guide on how to do this in our article on the subject.

Source : Google