How to delete files from google drive on chromebook

Among operating systems, Google's Chrome OS is the most unique. It's far more focused on using online services and is built around the Chrome browser. One way Chromebook differentiates itself from the rest is its lack of a recycle bin, though that’s not to say you aren’t able to delete any of your files on the system.

If you're having a bit of trouble removing unwanted files, here's how to delete files on a Chromebook.

Contents

  • How to delete files via My Files
  • How to delete images on Chromebook
  • How to delete downloads on Chromebook

How to delete files via My Files

Step 1: Open My Files.

How to delete files from google drive on chromebook

Step 2: Right-click on the file you want to remove from the system and select the Delete option.

It should be stressed that, as we touched on earlier, a Chromebook-based machine doesn’t have a recycle bin. As such, once you delete any file, it can’t be recovered and will be removed from the system completely.

How to delete files from google drive on chromebook

How to delete images on Chromebook

If you’re attempting to delete images on Chromebook, it can only be achieved through a specific method. You won’t be able to delete them via the Images folder. Similarly, files from the Recent or Video folders cannot be deleted. Instead, locate them through My Files and delete them there.

Step 1: Open My Files.

Step 2: Now open the location the images were originally placed in. If it’s situated within the Downloads folder, open that and proceed to delete the image(s).

How to delete files from google drive on chromebook

How to delete downloads on Chromebook

As Chromebook systems don’t typically come with a huge amount of local storage space, files within the Download folder are subjected to automatic deletion if the system is running out of the space it needs to function.

As such, you may want to delete or back up certain files and folders in Downloads before that happens, or you simply may no longer have any use for those files.

Step 1: Select the My Files folder.

Step 2: Select Downloads.

Step 3: Choose the files and folders you want to remove from the system by right-clicking on them, and then choose the Delete option.

How to delete files from google drive on chromebook

For more helpful guides on Chromebook, especially if you’re a new user to the ecosystem, then check out our tutorials on how to add, disable, and remove apps in Chrome OS, and how to zip and unzip files.

Editors' Recommendations

  • How to insert page numbers in LibreOffice
  • How to convert Apple Pages to PDF
  • You won’t believe how cheap this 13-inch laptop is at Walmart
  • This creepy Mac app can record every moment of your online life
  • Monster deal knocks $300 off the popular HP Envy x360 2-in-1 laptop

Ever purchased a Chromebook and got confused about operating it? It is common that when you buy a new thing it is difficult for you to operate even if you buy a new laptop you need some time to get familiar with it. Similarly, if you have purchased a new Chromebook it is going to be tough for you to get comfortable with it because a Chromebook is a different operating system. For example, deleting files in a Chromebook is different in the way that it has no recycle bin in it which means if you ever delete a file in a Chromebook it cannot be restored as in a normal laptop.

Wondering how it works? In this article, we are going to discuss it in detail.

There is no option for a recycle bin in the Chromebook, so it’s impossible to recover the deleted files. You’ll need to ensure you don’t need these files before choosing the delete button. If you wish to delete a file from the Chromebook, you have to delete the file from its original location. Following are the ways by which you can delete the files on a Chromebook:

  • Deleting files using a Keyboard shortcut
  • Deleting a single file on Chromebook
  • Deleting multiple files on Chromebook
  • Deleting App files on Chromebook

Deleting files using a keyboard shortcut

The keyboard shortcut is the easiest method for erasing the files on a Chromebook. First, you need to find a document you want to delete and press the ALT+Backspace key at the same time.

Deleting a single file on a Chromebook

You can delete a single file on a Chromebook, by following these simple steps:

Step 1: Open the files on your Chromebook, then select the file you want to delete and tap on the Trash symbol from the choices on the upper right.

How to delete files from google drive on chromebook

Step 2: Confirm your decision by clicking the “Delete” button on the prompt:

How to delete files from google drive on chromebook

Deleting multiple files on a Chromebook

To delete multiple files, you have to do a long press on a single file until you see a tick mark appear on the left side of the screen. Now you can easily select other files and delete them using the trash can icon from the option with a single click.

If you don’t want to perform the above method you can simply delete multiple files using the shift+Arrow keys from the keyboard.

Deleting App files on a Chromebook

Files application doesn’t show every one of the documents made by play store applications, you can still erase play store files by following these basic steps:

Step 1: Open My Files>Play Files, then select the file you need to erase and tap on the trash can symbol from the choices on the upper right corner of the screen.

Step 2: Confirm your decision by choosing the “Delete” button.

Conclusion

Deleting files on a Chromebook is a pretty simple task that helps individuals to free up the space on their laptops. Two methods are discussed in this article: either you pick a keyboard shortcut or mouse, and both will delete the files on Chromebook. It is important to know that you cannot delete Pictures and documents in the recent folder because they are read-only files on Chromebook. If you want to delete them, navigate to the files actual location and delete them accordingly.

About the author

How to delete files from google drive on chromebook

I'm an author by profession. My interest in the internet world motivates me to write for Linux Hint and I'm here to share my knowledge with others.

Why can't I delete a file on my Chromebook?

To delete images and other types of files from your Chromebook, you need to remove them from the folder where you downloaded them into. The files and images listed under the Recent and Images folders are read-only. That's why the “Delete” button is greyed out and unclickable. Did this quick guide answer your questions?

How do you remove files from Google Drive?

Put a file in trash.
On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Drive app..
At the bottom right, tap Files ..
Next to the file you want to delete, tap More. Remove..

How do I delete all my files on my Chromebook?

Open the Files app on your Chromebook. Navigate to the folder containing the file(s) you want to delete under My Files. Click to select the file, or press and hold Ctrl to select multiple files by clicking on them one at a time. Once selected, either hit Alt + Backspace or right-click and Delete.