File Management on Chromebooks

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 free up space.  Learn how to store your downloads.

Find and open a file

1. In the bottom corner of your screen, click the Launcher
2. Open "Files" 
3. On the left, choose the place where your file is saved.
4. Find your file and double-click it to open.

If you're opening a file on an external storage device, remove the device safely when you're done by clicking Eject

Save a file

To save the page, image, or document you're viewing:

1. Press Ctrl + s.
2. At the bottom, type a name for your file.
3. Optional: To the left of the file name, change the file type.
4. In the left column, choose where you'd like to save your file, such as My Drive.
5. Click Save.

Rename a file

You can rename files, folders, or external devices.

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

Change where your files are saved

Delete a file

1. In the bottom left corner of your screen, click the Launcher 
2. Open Files 
3. Click the file or folder you want to delete. Note: You can delete files in the Downloads folder, but deleting a file from your Downloads folder is permanent.
4. Click Delete 

Note: Files in the Recent, Images, Videos, and Audio folders are viewable only and can’t be deleted directly in those folders.

Zip a file

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

1. In the bottom left corner of your screen, click the Launcher. 
2. Open Files 
3. On the left, click Downloads.
4. To select all the files you’d like to zip, press Shift and click each file one at a time.
5. Optional: To put all of your files in a new folder, press Ctrl + e.
6. Right-click (two finger click) your selected files or folder, then click Zip selection.

Unzip a file

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

1. In the bottom left corner of your screen, click the Launcher 
2. Open Files 
3. Double-click the zipped file. On the left, you’ll see 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, click Eject 

To learn more about using Chromebooks visit Google's Chromebook Help Center for answers to many questions:

https://support.google.com/chromebook