Open, save, or delete files on your Chromebook

You can open and save many types of files on your Chromebook, like documents, PDFs, images, and media. Learn which types of files are supported on your Chromebook.

Your Chromebook's hard drive has limited space, so your Chromebook will sometimes delete downloaded files to clean up space. Learn how to store your downloads.

Find, save & manage files

Find & open a file

1. Open Files .
2. On the left, choose where your file is saved.
   • For files you’ve just used, select Recent.
     • You can sort recent files by name, size, type, or date.
   • To search for your saved file, in the upper right, select Search .
   • For Android app files, under "My files," select Play files. To show more folders, in the top right, select More Show all Play folders.
   • For files in your cloud, select the folder, such as Google Drive. You can also add another cloud file system.
3. Find your file and double-click it to open.

If you open a file on an external storage device, remove the device safely when you're done after you select Eject .

Tip: In the corner of your screen, select the Launcher . In the search bar, enter the name of the file you want to open.

Save your files

To save a file, like a page, image, or document:

1. Press Ctrl + s.
2. At the bottom, enter a name for your file.
   • Optional: On the left of the file name, use the drop down to change the file type.
3. In the left column, choose where you'd like to save your file, such as Google Drive My Drive.
4. Select Save.

Tip: If you use your Chromebook at school or work, you can save files in your Shared drives folder. Select Google Drive Shared drives.

Change where your files are saved

By default, your files are saved to your Downloads folder, a temporary folder on your Chromebook's hard drive. You can change where downloads are saved by default or select a specific folder for each download.

1. On your computer, open Chrome.
2. At the top right, select More   Settings.
3. At the bottom, select Advanced.
4. Under "Downloads," change your download settings:
   • To change the default folder: select Change, and choose where you want to save your files.
   • To choose a specific folder for each download: turn on Ask where to save each file before downloading.

Rename a file

You can rename files, folders, or external devices.

1. In the corner of your screen, select the Launcher .
2. Open Files .
3. Select the file or folder name.
4. Press Ctrl + Enter.
5. Type in a new name, then press Enter.

Tip: Some folders are read only. You can't delete or rename them from the Files app.

Add another cloud file system

1. In the corner of your screen, select the Launcher .
2. Open Files .
3. In the top right, select More .
4. Select Add new service SMB Shares.
5. A window will open. Select Add File Share. Fill out your info.
6. Select Add.

Tip: Your Chromebook supports third-party file systems that use DocumentsProvider APIs. If you download one of these Android files apps from the Play Store, it will appear on the left-hand side of your Files .

To connect to other cloud file systems:

1. In the corner of your screen, select the Launcher .
2. Open Files .
3. In the top right, select More .
4. Select Install new service.
5. To install a new cloud file system, choose a system and follow the onscreen steps.

Delete a file

Important: When you delete a file, most files are sent directly to Trash. For files that aren't sent to Trash, you must confirm that you want to permanently delete them.

1. In the corner of your screen, select the Launcher .
2. Open Files .
3. Select the file or folder you want to delete.
4. On the left, select Trash .
   • Optional: Right-click on the file, then select Move to trash.

Tips:

• Files are permanently deleted from Trash after 30 days.
• Some folders are read only. You can't delete or rename them from the Files app.

Restore a file sent to Trash

You can restore a file you’ve sent to Trash.

1. On your Chromebook, open Files .
2. On the left, select Trash .
3. Select the file you want to restore Restore from Trash.

Zip a file

To bundle files or folders together into a single file, you can zip them.

1. In the corner of your screen, select the Launcher .
2. Open Files .
3. On the left, select the folder or files you want to zip.
4. To select all the files you’d like to zip, press Ctrl and click each file one at a time.
5. Right-click your selected files or folder, then select Zip selection.

Unzip a file

You can check each of the individual files in your zip file.

1. In the corner of your screen, select the Launcher .
2. Open Files .
3. Double-click the zipped file. On the left, you’ll find the zip file.
4. To open an individual file, double-click it.
5. Optional: To remove the zip file from the list of folders on the left, select Eject .

Tip: To unzip a group of zipped files in a single folder, right-click the folder and select Extract all.

Fix issues when opening files

"Unknown file type"

• Check if your Chromebook supports this file type. Learn which file types are supported.
• Try saving the file to Google Drive, then opening it in your browser.

"Google Drive can’t be reached at this time"

Make sure your Chromebook is connected to the internet. Learn how to connect to Wi-Fi or fix problems connecting to Wi-Fi.

"Sorry, your external storage device is not supported at this time"

• Your Chromebook might not work with the storage device you're trying to use. Check if your Chromebook supports your storage device.
• Make sure your Chromebook is using the newest software. Learn how to update your Chromebook software.

You can also use Google Drive to check the files on your storage device:

1. Plug your storage device into another computer.
2. Open Google Drive. If you haven't signed in, make sure to sign in using the same Google Account you have on your Chromebook.
3. Upload the files from the device. Learn how to upload files to Google Drive.
4. Open your Chromebook and sign in.
5. In the corner of your screen, select the Launcher .
6. Open Google Drive.

"Sorry, your device was not recognized" or "Sorry, at least one partition on your device could not be mounted"

You'll need to reformat your external storage device:

1. Back up your files somewhere else before erasing. The following steps will erase all files on the storage device.
2. In the corner of your screen, select the Launcher .
3. Open Files .
4. On the left, right-click the storage device.
5. Select Format device.

Let your apps access external drives

You can allow apps from Google Play to read and write files on external storage devices. Files and folders created on the device are visible to anyone who uses the external drive.

1. At the bottom right, select the time.
2. Select Settings .
3. Select Storage management External storage preference.
4. Turn storage device on or off to allow access.

Related resources

• Share files from Google Drive
• Open & edit photos
• Play music on your Chromebook
• Customize your computer's shelf