How to manage deleted files on a Chromebook

Like Windows and macOS computers, Chromebooks grip record deletion successful 2 steps. Initially, the files aren’t really deleted, adjacent though they vanish from view. They’re kept astir successful what is called the Trash, conscionable successful lawsuit you ever request them back, and past are wiped automatically aft a definite magnitude of time. However, if you’re dealing with delicate accusation oregon selling your device, you tin besides permanently erase them.

ChromeOS, the operating strategy down Chromebooks, really gives you 2 record systems to deliberation about: 1 successful the unreality (in different words, Google Drive) and 1 that is local. Each of these systems handles deleted files somewhat differently. And enactment that there’s nary syncing betwixt the trash folder for section files connected your Chromebook and that connected Google Drive — these are abstracted spaces.

Here’s what you request to cognize astir deleting files connected a Chromebook. These steps were tested connected an Acer Chromebook Spin 714 and should use to immoderate Chromebook moving ChromeOS 125 oregon later.

Cloud storage

ChromeOS is designed to beryllium an online-first operating system, and that means astir of your files are going to beryllium stored successful Google Drive, including thing you make successful Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Slides.

There are a assortment of ways you tin delete a file:

If you’ve got a record unfastened successful 1 of these apps, you tin instantly delete it by opening the File paper and choosing Move to trash. You tin besides delete immoderate record from Google Drive by right-clicking connected it and choosing Move to trash. 

Files are kept successful the trash folder for 30 days, aft which Google Drive volition permanently scrub them retired of existence. If you privation to erase oregon retrieve them earlier the extremity of the 30-day window, travel the Trash nexus connected the Google Drive navigation pane.

You’ll besides spot an Empty trash nexus connected the apical right, which you tin usage to afloat delete each the files presently successful the trash folder.

That’s each determination is to it. If you usage different unreality retention services with your Chromebook, they astir apt person trash folders of their own: Dropbox, for example, has a Deleted files nexus connected the left-hand navigation pane connected the Dropbox website.

Local storage

You tin also, if you wish, prevention files locally connected your Chromebook — erstwhile downloading documents oregon images from the web, for example. To presumption and negociate these files, unfastened up the Files app from the ChromeOS launcher.

You’ll spot a database of files and folders connected the section storage. To delete a file, prime it past either click the trash icon astatine the apical right, oregon property Launcher+Backspace (Alt-Shift-Backspace also works). You tin besides right-click connected a record and prime Delete. (If you’ve got a batch of files to woody with, the AZ icon connected the apical close lets you bash a sort.) 

If you’re definite you’re decidedly not going to privation a record back, usage Shift+Launcher+Backspace to permanently erase it connected the archetypal go. You’ll spot a connection popular up on-screen asking if you’re definite that’s the enactment you privation to take.

Files are kept successful the trash for 30 days earlier being erased. To get astatine your deleted files, click the Trash nexus successful the navigation pane connected the near of the Files app.

Up successful the apical close country is an Empty trash now link, and you tin usage this to wide retired each of the files successful the folder successful 1 go. 

And you’re done.