How to Manage Deleted Files on a Chromebook

Just like Windows and macOS computers, Chromebooks handle file deletion in two steps. Initially, the files are not actually deleted, although they disappear from view. They are kept in what is called the Trash in case you need them back, and are automatically deleted after a set period of time. However, if you are dealing with sensitive information or selling your device, you can also permanently erase it.

ChromeOS, the operating system behind Chromebooks, offers two file systems to think about: one in the cloud (in other words, Google Drive) and one local. Each of these systems handles deleted files a little differently. And note that there is no sync between the local files trash folder on your Chromebook and the Google Drive one – these are separate spaces.

Here’s what you need to know about deleting files on a Chromebook. These steps were tested on an Acer Chromebook Spin 714 and should apply to any Chromebook running ChromeOS 125 or later.

ChromeOS is designed to be an online operating system, and that means most of your files will be stored in Google Drive, including anything you create in Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Slides.

There are several ways to delete a file:

If you have a file open in one of these applications, you can immediately delete it by opening the File menu and choosing Move to trash. You can also delete any file from Google Drive right-clicking on it and choosing Move to trash.

Files are kept in the trash folder for 30 days, after which Google Drive will permanently delete them. If you want to delete or recover them before the end of the 30-day period, follow the instructions Trash link in the Google Drive navigation pane.

• Use the Type It is Modified drop-down menus at the top to filter the file list.
• To open a file’s options, click the three dots to the right of the file name. You can also right-click a file (or group of files) to get the same options.
• To choose To restore to put the file back where it was in Google Drive.
• To choose Erase forever to permanently delete the file.

You will also see a Empty trash link in the top right corner, which you can use to completely delete all files currently in the trash folder.

That’s all there is to do. If you use other cloud storage services with your Chromebook, they probably have their own junk folders: Dropbox, for example, has one Deleted files link in the left navigation pane at the Dropbox website.

You can also, if you wish, save files locally on your Chromebook – when downloading documents or images from the web, for example. To view and manage these files, open the Files app in the ChromeOS launcher.

You will see a list of files and folders in local storage. To delete a file, select it and click the trash can icon in the top right corner or press Launcher + Backspace (Alt-Shift-Backspace also works). You can also right-click a file and choose Delete. (If you have a lot of files to deal with, the AZ icon in the top right lets you sort them.)

If you are sure you definitely don’t want a file back, use Shift + Launcher + Backspace to erase it permanently on the first try. You will see a message on the screen asking if you are sure this is the action you want to take.

Files are kept in the recycle bin for 30 days before being deleted. To access your deleted files, click the button Trash link in the left navigation pane of the Files app.

• Select a file to display icons to permanently delete it (the trash symbol) or restore it (the clock symbol) at the top of the screen.
• Right-click a file for options to Delete It is Restore from Recycle Bin.
• You can also use the Launcher + Backspace shortcut to restore a file or the Shift + Launcher + Backspace shortcut to permanently delete it.

In the upper right corner there is a Empty the trash now link, and you can use it to clean all the files in the folder at once.