The cloud-based storage service, widely used by individuals and businesses alike has become a cause for concern as users are reporting missing data and changes to their folder structures. 

The issue gained traction on Google’s forums last week and has left users scrambling for answers. Reports indicate that recent data losses are not attributed to user error, as activity logs on impacted accounts show no evidence of intentional deletions. 

The severity of the problem is exemplified by users who claim to have lost substantial amounts of data, some spanning months or even years.

Google, in a recent post, confirmed awareness of the issue, stating: “We’re investigating reports of an issue impacting a limited subset of Drive for desktop users and will follow up with more updates.” 

The company specified that the problem is associated with Drive for desktop versions ranging from 84.0.0.0 to 84.0.4.09. As a precaution, Google advised users against clicking “disconnect account” within Drive for desktop and warned against deleting or moving a specific app folder named DriveFS.

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To mitigate potential data loss, Google recommended users make a copy of the app data folder if space permits on their hard drives. The company also offered guidance on recovering deleted files, which typically includes checking the trash, reviewing the activity panel, and ensuring data has not been inadvertently deleted or moved.

However, in this particular situation, users on Google’s support forums have reported that the activity panel fails to reflect the disappearance of files, adding a layer of complexity to the recovery process.

The lack of concrete information and a timeline for resolution has left users frustrated and anxious about the fate of their critical data.

Notably, Google’s support forums, crucial for troubleshooting, rely on volunteers with limited insights into the intricacies of the cloud service, exacerbating the challenges users face in addressing this critical problem.