Restore a deleted file from Proton Drive Trash

If a file disappears from Proton Drive, look in Trash before uploading another copy. This example restores a fictional text file on Free and checks where it returns.

1. Check the account and folder

1. Open Drive (opens in a new tab).
2. Check the folder that originally held the file and the account you signed in to.
3. Open Trash in the left sidebar. Avoid Empty trash.

To practise, upload a fictional practice-plan.txt into Practice files first. Select that disposable file and click Move to trash. Do not test with your only copy of a real document.

2. Restore the correct file

1. Select the file in Trash. Check its filename and Location.
2. Open the row's three-dot More options menu.
3. Click Restore from trash. Avoid Delete permanently.

Enlarge image

Proton Drive Trash menu showing Restore from trash

×

Open full-size image

3. Verify the recovered file

1. Return to My files and open the folder listed in Location.
2. Open the recovered file and check its contents.
3. Reload the folder and confirm it remains available. Check that the file has left Trash.

If you still cannot find it

Check other folders and accounts before uploading a duplicate. Proton notes that restoring a synced file from your computer's own Trash can upload a new copy. For this web exercise, restore from Drive's Trash.

For a safe rehearsal with a disposable file, start with Proton Drive Free (opens in a new tab) and keep the local original. To recover an actual missing file, use the account that held it; a new account cannot contain it.

Source: File deletion and restoration (opens in a new tab).