Open, save, or delete files

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

Your Chromebook'due south hard bulldoze has limited infinite, so your Chromebook will sometimes delete downloaded files to gratis up space. Learn how to store your downloads.

Tap here to see an interactive tutorial

Find and open a file

  1. In the corner of your screen, select the Launcher and then Up arrow .
  2. Open up Files .
  3. On the left, cull where your file is saved.
  4. Discover 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 Squirt .

Save a file

To save the page, epitome, or document y'all're viewing:

  1. Press Ctrl + southward.
  2. At the bottom, enter a proper noun for your file.
  3. Optional: To the left of the file proper noun, modify the file blazon.
  4. In the left column, choose where you'd like to salve your file, such as Google Bulldozeand thenMy Bulldoze.
  5. SelectSave.

Note: If you're using your Chromebook at school or work, y'all tin can save files in your Shared drives binder. Select Google Drive and then Shared drives.

Tap here to see an interactive tutorial

Change where your files are saved

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

  1. On your computer, open up Chrome.
  2. At the top right, select MoreMoreand thenSettings.
  3. At the bottom, selectAdvanced.
  4. Under "Downloads," change your download settings:
    • To change the default folder:select Change, and choose where you desire to salvage your files.
    • To choose a specific folder for each download: turn on Enquire where to save each file earlier downloading.

Delete a file

  1. In the corner of your screen, select the Launcher and then Upwards pointer .
  2. Open Files .
  3. Select the file or folder y'all want to delete.Annotation: You can delete files in the Downloads folder, only deleting a file from your Downloads folder is permanent.
  4. Select Delete and then Delete.

Notation: Files in the Recent, Images, Videos, and Audio folders are viewable only and can't be deleted straight in those folders.

Tap here to see an interactive tutorial

Goose egg a file

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

  1. In the corner of your screen, click the Launcher and then Up arrow .
  2. Open Files .
  3. On the left, selectthe folder or files you want to zip.
  4. To select all the files y'all'd like to zip, printing Ctrl and click each file one at a fourth dimension.
  5. Optional: To put all of your files in a new folder, printing Ctrl + e.
  6. Correct-click your selected files or binder, and so click Zero selection.

Unzip a file

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

  1. In the corner of your screen, select the Launcher and then Up arrow .
  2. Open Files .
  3. Double-click the zipped file. On the left, you lot'll see the nix file.
  4. To open an individual file, double-click it.
  5. Optional: To remove the cypher file from the list of folders on the left, click Squirt .

Use and pin files to your shelf

You can find recent downloads, screenshots, and pinned files in the shelf container.

Open recent downloads & screenshots in your shelf

  1. At the bottom right, select the shelf containerand then your file.

Hide the shelf preview:

  1. At the lesser right, adjacent to the fourth dimension, right-click and select the shelf container.
  2. Select Hibernate preview.

Tip: Your recent downloads and screenshots are temporary. To make them permanent, y'all can pivot files to your shelf.

Pin files to your shelf

Find a pinned file:

  1. At the bottom right, select the shelf container.
  2. Right-click your file.
  3. Select Show in folder.

Insert pinned files into documents

Y'all can add images or screenshots to your documents from your shelf.

Drag images or screenshots:

  1. At the bottom correct, select the shelf container.
  2. Select images or screenshots.
  3. Drag them into your document.

Copy & paste images or screenshots:

  1. At the bottom right, select the shelf container.
  2. Right-click your images or screenshots.
  3. Select Re-create paradigm.
  4. In your document, right-click anywhere.
  5. Select Paste.

Set up problems opening files

"Unknown file blazon"

  • Bank check if your Chromebook supports this file blazon. Learn which file types are supported.
  • Endeavor saving the file to Google Drive, and then opening it in your browser.

"Google Drive tin can't be reached at this time"

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

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

Permit your apps admission external drives

You tin 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 bulldoze.

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

Do more with your files

  • Share your Google Drive files with others
  • Open and edit photos
  • Play music files and videos

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