How to manage deleted files on a Chromebook

Like Windows and macOS computers, Chromebooks grip record deletion successful 2 steps. Initially, nan files aren’t really deleted, moreover though they vanish from view. They’re kept astir successful what is called nan 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 pinch delicate accusation aliases trading your device, you tin besides permanently erase them.

ChromeOS, nan operating strategy down Chromebooks, really gives you 2 record systems to deliberation about: 1 successful nan unreality (in different words, Google Drive) and 1 that is local. Each of these systems handles deleted files somewhat differently. And statement that there’s nary syncing betwixt nan trash files 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 aliases later.

Cloud storage

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

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

If you’ve sewage a record unfastened successful 1 of these apps, you tin instantly delete it by opening nan 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 nan trash files for 30 days, aft which Google Drive will permanently scrub them retired of existence. If you want to erase aliases retrieve them earlier nan extremity of nan 30-day window, travel nan Trash nexus connected nan Google Drive navigation pane.

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

That’s each location is to it. If you usage different unreality retention services pinch your Chromebook, they astir apt person trash folders of their own: Dropbox, for example, has a Deleted files nexus connected nan 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 aliases images from nan web, for example. To position and negociate these files, unfastened up nan Files app from nan ChromeOS launcher.

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

If you’re judge you’re decidedly not going to want a record back, usage Shift+Launcher+Backspace to permanently erase it connected nan first go. You’ll spot a connection popular up on-screen asking if you’re judge that’s nan action you want to take.

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

Up successful nan apical correct area is an Empty trash now link, and you tin usage this to clear retired each of nan files successful nan files successful 1 go. 

And you’re done.