It is common have both personal and work files stored in a Virginia Tech Google My Drive.

1. Going forward you will be required to store only work-related files on your VT Google My Drive. Because Google and Microsoft have ended free unlimited storage for universities, you may become liable for storage costs for personal files.
2. You should move your personal files to a storage space outside the University. You should not move personal files to University Microsoft OneDrive or your work computer.

Tips:

• What counts as Personal Data?
• Check how much storage you are using on Google

Step 1 - Choose Where to Move Your Personal Files

The easiest place to move files is to your personally owned computer, if you have enough hard drive space. To review other storage options, visit the Choose a Location to which you can move your Personal Files tutorial.

Step 2 - Create 'Personal' and 'Work' Folders in Google Drive

There are other paths to sort your work but this is a simple one that we recommend. Feel free to use your own methods if you are used to file organization and cleanup.

Step 3 - Separate Personal Files from Work Files

Go through all of your files and folders. Move files that are related to Virginia Tech work into 'Work' and your personal files (ex: Videos, Music, Photos, Taxes) into 'Personal.' Only keep files that you really need. Delete the rest. 

If you need help moving files within your Google My Drive, refer to This Tutorial or get help from your IT Personnel.

For now, you do not have to deal with your 'Work' files. We will address those at a later date.

Step 4 - Download Personal Files with 'Download'

Select the folder ‘Personal’ and locate the 3 dots icon to the right. In the revealed menu, click Download.

Google will combine the folder and the files it contains into a .zip archive and download it. The following steps should show at the bottom right of your browser:

Your Browser will automatically download the file(s) to your chosen download directory. If the file is large it may be split into multiple files.

NOTE: If this process appears to be taking hours or days to complete, you may be using a lot of storage:

1. Try going into the 'Personal' folder and downloading individual folders one at at time to do the process in smaller chunks.
2. If this still does not work, contact your IT Personnel.

Step 5 - Move Your Personal Files

• Before moving your files to the final drive or service you want them to reside on, unzip the files so you can check your data.
• Using whatever method you prefer, check to make sure all your personal files are complete.
• Move your personal files to your chosen service. Here are links to tutorials for uploading files to several popular storage services:
  1. How to upload files and folders to a Personal Google Drive
  2. How to upload files and folders to a Personal OneDrive
  3. How to upload files and folders to a Personal iCloud
• Note: You can also choose to store your personal files on your personal devices, or an external hard drive. Follow whatever file upload instructions come with your devices or external drives to complete your file migration.

Step 6 - DELETE Your Personal Files from Virginia Tech Google My Drive

As shown in the graphic below, Choose the 3 dots icon next to the 'Personal' folder, and select 'Move to Trash.'  

The folder will immediately be moved to the trash. Google states that you have 30 days before trash is automatically deleted. After that the files are truly unrecoverable.