Efficiently Managing Your Google Drive and Gmail to Optimize Storage and Finances
Google Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos are popular platforms used by millions of people around the world to store their digital files. However, the 15GB of free storage space provided by Google can quickly fill up, forcing users to either subscribe to Google One for additional storage or find alternative ways to manage their digital space.
Fortunately, there are several tricks that users can employ to effectively free up their storage and continue using these platforms without any hassle. One of the simplest methods is to delete large files that are no longer needed. Both Google Drive and Gmail offer the option to sort files by size, making it easier for users to identify and delete the largest ones.
For desktop users, deleting files based on their size in Google Drive is a straightforward process. Simply log in to your account, click on “Storage” in the menu, and then select “Storage used” to arrange the files from largest to smallest. From there, users can easily select and delete the large files. Once deleted, the files can be permanently removed by going to the Trash menu and clicking on “Empty trash” and “Delete forever.”
Similarly, the Google Drive app on mobile devices also allows users to delete files by size. By opening the app, tapping on “Files,” and then selecting “Name” and “Storage used,” users can arrange the files accordingly. To delete a file, simply tap on the three dots (…) next to it and choose the option “Remove.” The file can then be moved to the Trash by tapping on the hamburger icon and selecting “Trash.” To permanently delete the file, tap on the three dots (…) again and select “Empty trash.”
Managing storage in Gmail follows a similar process. Desktop users can delete large emails by typing “has:attachment larger:10MB” in the search bar. Once the desired emails have been selected, users can click on the “Trash” icon and then go to the Trash menu to permanently delete them by clicking on “Empty trash now.”
On the Gmail app, users can also delete large emails by typing “has:attachment larger:10MB” in the search bar, tapping on the email, and then clicking on the trash bin icon. To permanently delete the email, tap on the hamburger icon, select “Trash,” and then choose “Empty trash now.”
Emptying the spam folder in Gmail is another effective way to create more space. Desktop users can do this by clicking on “Spam” in their account and then selecting “Delete all spam messages now.” In the mobile app, users can achieve the same result by tapping on the hamburger icon, choosing “Spam,” and then selecting “Delete all spam messages now” or “Empty spam now.”
When it comes to Google Photos, deleting old photos and videos can significantly free up space. On desktop, users can accomplish this by opening and logging into Google Photos, scrolling over the items, and clicking on the gray check mark icon. From there, users can simply click on the trash icon followed by “Move to trash.” Finally, clicking on “Empty trash” will permanently delete these items.
In the Google Photos app, deleting photos and videos is just as easy. By tapping on the desired photo or video, users can access the trash can icon to delete them. To completely remove the items, users must then tap on “Library,” select “Trash,” tap on the three dots, and choose “Empty trash” followed by “Delete.”
If users find that their storage is still near full capacity even after employing these methods, a feasible solution is to download the files, emails, or photos to their computer for direct storage. This can be done by opening the respective account and selecting the desired files, emails, or photos. By clicking on the three stacked dots, users can then choose the “Download” option. Don’t forget to delete the downloaded items from the account and empty the trash bins to ensure maximum storage space.
By following these simple tricks, Google Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos users can effectively manage their storage space and continue seamlessly operating on these platforms without any hindrances. Keeping digital space in check ensures that users have sufficient storage for their future needs while keeping their accounts organized and clutter-free.
