How I Finally Cleaned Up My Messy Google Drive (Step-By-Step Method)
Description
My Google Drive had gotten messy — duplicate folders, random uploads, files mislabeled, and years’ worth of assets scattered everywhere. And with limited local storage and very specific permission needs, the usual “Sync & Mirror” option didn’t work for me.
So I created my own one-off cleanup method, and after hours of experimenting, it finally worked.
In this episode, I break down exactly what I did:
✔️ Downloaded everything using the Google Drive desktop app
✔️ Copied the full Drive to an external hard drive as a safety net
✔️ Used two Finder windows to reorganize folders manually
✔️ Added missing files from my local drive that never made it to GDrive
✔️ Created clean new folders and moved everything into the correct structure
✔️ Archived the original Google Drive folders so nothing was lost
✔️ Uploaded the clean, organized version back to GDrive
✔️ Kept archive copies on the external drive “just in case”
This was a one-time reset designed for people who:
- don’t have enough hard drive space for a full mirror
- need complicated folder permissions
- have years of clutter
- want to rebuild their GDrive structure from scratch without losing files
- need a safe and reversible solution
If your Google Drive feels like a digital junk drawer, this method might save you hours — and your sanity.
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