Permanently Erasing Files in Google Drive on a Chromebook: A Comprehensive Guide

Understanding Google Drive and Trash

Google Drive acts as your cloud storage accessible from any device with an internet connection. Files stored here are synced across your Chromebook and other devices. While deleting files on a Chromebook might seem straightforward, permanently erasing them from Google Drive requires a slightly different approach compared to the typical methods you might use on a desktop or mobile device.

Deleting a file on your Chromebook doesn’t necessarily erase it permanently. It simply moves it to the Trash within Google Drive. This article will guide you through the steps to ensure your permanently delete files from Google Drive on your Chromebook.

Two Options for Permanent Deletion

Option 1: Using the Files App for Files Not Originally in Trash

Open the Files app on your Chromebook.

Locate the file or folder you want to permanently delete in your Google Drive left sidebar or in the Downloads folder, if applicable.

Important Step: Right-click on the file/folder or press and hold if using a touchscreen. Do not simply select and press. This action brings up a context menu.

In the context menu, choose the Delete option. This action will permanently erase the file from Google Drive and bypass the Trash.

Confirm the deletion by clicking Delete. Be sure to double-check that you are deleting the correct files.

Option 2: Emptying the Trash for Files Already in Trash

Open the Files app on your Chromebook.

Click on the Trash tab. This section holds all files you’ve deleted from Google Drive or the Chromebook storage.

Select the specific files you want to permanently erase. You can do this by checking each file individually.

To delete everything at once, click the three vertical dots in the top right corner and choose Delete all.

Confirm the deletion by clicking Delete. Be sure to double-check that you are deleting the correct files.

Important Notes

Permanent deletion using these methods bypasses the Trash and cannot be recovered. Ensure that you are deleting the correct files. While Google offers some data recovery options in specific scenarios, it is generally not guaranteed. Consider this a one-way action.

If you are unsure about the importance of a file, it’s always safer to move it to a designated folder on your Chromebook storage instead of deleting it entirely. This ensures that you can recover it if necessary.

Additional Tips

You can also permanently delete files directly from the Google Drive website. The process is similar to emptying the Trash within the Files app.

For added security, consider using a file shredding tool for particularly sensitive information before deleting them permanently. However, this functionality is not typically built into Chrome OS.

By following these steps and keeping the notes in mind, you can effectively and permanently erase unwanted files from your Google Drive on your Chromebook. Remember, permanent deletion is a final step, so double-check your selections before proceeding.