While deleting files is relatively straightforward on Chromebooks, new users can get confused as some of the folders on the native file manager on Chromebook — Recent, Audio, Images and Videos — only show read-only files, which means you can’t delete them from there. In addition, folders under the Play files tab under My files can’t be deleted directly either.
If you want to delete any type of file, including documents, audio, video, images and camera files, find the original file’s location and delete it from there.
You’ll find the original files of apps in the Play files tab, any downloaded media or screenshots in Downloads and any photo or video clicked using your Chromebook’s camera in the Camera folder. All three folders appear under My files in the Files app.
Here we’ve discussed the following four topics that’ll guide you on deleting files on Chromebook.
- Delete files on Chromebook using keyboard shortcut
- Delete a single file on Chromebook
- Delete multiple files on Chromebook
- Delete app files on Chromebook
Also read: How to delete screenshots on Chromebook?
How to delete files on Chromebook using the keyboard shortcut?
The easiest way to delete files on Chromebook is using the keyboard shortcut: ALT + Backspace key.
All you need to do is find the file you want to delete, select it and then press the keyboard shortcut combination.
If you can’t figure out the location of the file, the guide below should help.
Also read: How to eject a USB from Chromebook?
How to delete a file on Chromebook via Files?
One of the easiest ways to delete any file on a Chromebook, including audio, image, video, or document, is the native file manager app called Files. While third-party apps like File Manager can be used to delete any files on Chromebook, the Files app works just fine.
Step 1: Open the Files app on your Chromebook.
Here we’re going to delete files from our camera roll. If you want to delete files from any other folder, use the same method.
Step 2: Click on Camera under My files. Then select the file you want to delete and click on the Trash Can icon from the options on the window’s top-right.
Step 3: Confirm your choice by selecting the Delete button on the prompt.
Note: If you delete a file from the Downloads folder, they’re deleted permanently.
Also read: How to turn off ChromeVox on Chromebook?
How to delete multiple files on Chromebook?
You can also delete multiple files by highlighting them using the mouse or Shift + Arrow keys.
If your Chromebook supports touch, you can long-press on a single file until you see a tick mark to the left of the file name and then single tap all the other selections.
Then click on the Trash Can icon from the options on the top-right and select Delete on the confirmation prompt.
Also read: Chromebook not charging: 6 Fixes
How to delete Play Store app files?
While the files app doesn’t show all of the files created by Play Store apps, you can still see any file that you’ve created or saved in an app on Chromebook. Similar to deleting any other file on Chrome, you can also delete these files.
Step 1: Click on Play files under My files. Then select the file you want to delete and click on the Trash Can icon from the options on the window’s top-right.
Step 2: Confirm your choice by selecting the Delete button on the prompt.
Also read: How to invert colours on Chromebook?
