Export Google Drive Files for a Whole Company
Here is how to export google drive for the whole company. Export every user's Drive and every shared drive in one job. Here are the requirements and the deadline that catches people out.
A super admin starts a full export from the Google Admin console's Data Export tool. It covers every user's Drive plus shared drives, takes about 72 hours (up to 14 days for big organizations) and lands in a Google Cloud Storage bucket that's deleted 60 days after the export starts.
Before you export Google Drive
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Who | A super admin whose account is at least 30 days old, with 2-Step Verification on |
| Subscription | Must be active. Core data is excluded once it's cancelled or suspended. |
| Google Cloud | Must be turned on for admin accounts so you can open the bucket |
| Frequency | At least 30 days between full exports on most editions |
| Large orgs | Over 1,000 users should contact Google Workspace support first |
Step by step
01Check the requirements
Make sure you're a super admin with 2-Step Verification, and that the subscription is active. Don't cancel first.
02Open Data Export
In the Google Admin console, open the Data Export tool and choose a full export of your organization.
03Start the export
Pick the bucket location and start. Full exports include shared drive content.
04Wait
Data starts appearing no sooner than 48 hours in. Most exports take about 72 hours.
05Download from Cloud Storage
Open the bucket link from the Data Export page and download everything to storage you control.
06Mind the 60-day clock
The bucket is deleted 60 days from when the export started, not when it finished. Download early.
How to find the size of your Google Drive data
In the Admin console, storage reports show how much Drive storage each user and shared drive uses. Note total storage, how many years of documents, and how much is real working files versus images and media.
What a full Google Drive export is worth
AI companies license company records like this to train software agents on real work. Shared files hold the documents work produces: proposals, specs, SOPs and spreadsheets. Working documents with revision history are worth more than folders of images.
Buyers price on depth: years of continuous history with real discussion in it. A partial export or a single report is worth far less than the complete record.
How much is your Google Drive data worth? · Run the value calculator
Common problems
- Export option greyed out. Your admin account may be under 30 days old, or 2-Step Verification is off.
- Can't open the bucket. Turn on Google Cloud for admin accounts.
- Files disappeared. The bucket is deleted 60 days after the export started.
- Exported after cancelling. Core data is excluded once the subscription is cancelled. Reactivate and export.
Common questions
How do I export all Google Drive files for my company?
Use the Data Export tool in the Google Admin console as a super admin. It exports every user's Drive and shared drives.
How long does a Google Workspace export take?
Usually about 72 hours, and up to 14 days for large organizations.
Where does the Google Drive export go?
A Google Cloud Storage bucket, deleted 60 days after the export starts.
Should I export Google Drive before closing my business?
Yes, and before you cancel Google Workspace. Exports after cancellation leave out core data.