Quick answer: The file manager on a Chromebook is called Files. Open your launcher and search for Files to browse your local storage, Google Drive, and any connected USB drives or SD cards. From there you can open, rename, delete, and organize files, and manage external storage.
What you need before you start
- A Chromebook running ChromeOS.
- The built-in Files app (installed on every Chromebook).
- A Google account signed in to see Google Drive files.
How do I open files on a Chromebook?
Double-click any file or folder to open it. You can also right-click and choose Open. If your Chromebook has a touchscreen, or you are using a ChromeOS tablet, tap to open files and folders. When you download a file, by default it goes to the Downloads section of the Files app.
How do I open a file with a different app?
When you double-click a file, it opens in the default app for that file type. For example, an image opens in the Gallery app. To open a file with a different app, right-click it, choose Open with, and select the app from the list.
How do I change the default app for a file type?
- Select the file and click Open at the top of the Files app.
- Choose Change default.
- Pick the new default app.
This changes the default app for that file type. For example, changing the default for images makes all images open in the new app.
How do I rename files and folders?
Right-click a file or folder and choose Rename. If you prefer a keyboard shortcut, select the item and press Ctrl + Enter.
How do I delete files and folders?
Right-click a file or folder and choose Delete. You can also select the item and press Alt + Backspace.
What are the sections in the Files app?
The Files app has two major areas: local files under My files, stored on your Chromebook, and Google Drive, stored in your Google account. Some Google Drive files can also have offline copies.
Above My files and Google Drive you will find automatically created lists:
- Recent: files you accessed recently, from both My files and Google Drive.
- Audio: all your audio files.
- Images: all your image files.
- Video: all your video files.
Note: You cannot delete files from these automatic lists. Delete them from their actual storage location instead. Read this article to learn more about this section.
My files
The My files section contains all your local files, including the Downloads folder. On most Chromebooks you have plenty of local storage and can create folders anywhere under My files.
Note: Files under My files are stored only on your Chromebook. Do not store anything important here permanently, because you can lose these files:
- When you Powerwash (reset), these files are deleted.
- ChromeOS may delete files if storage gets full.
- ChromeOS may delete profiles that are not used for a long time.
Downloads
The Downloads folder holds all your downloads and other local files. You can change the default downloads folder in Settings. If you take screenshots, they are saved here by default.
Play files
If your Chromebook has Google Play Store access, My files also includes Play files, where files from Android apps live, divided into Movies, Pictures, and Music.
Google Drive
Google Drive is built into the Files app. You see Drive files from the account you signed in with, with no setup. The Drive area is divided into My Drive, Shared with me, and Offline for files you downloaded for offline access.
How do I use the built-in Gallery and image editor?
Gallery is the default image viewer and editor in ChromeOS. It does not appear in the launcher; it opens when you open a supported file such as an image.
The filename at the top is editable. The pencil icon opens the image editor, the printer icon prints, and the trash icon deletes the file. To edit an image, open it and click the pencil icon to reveal crop, resize, brightness, rotate, and undo or redo tools. Edits are saved automatically; click Exit when you are done.
How do I use USB drives and SD cards?
Connect a USB drive or SD card and it shows up in the Files app as another drive, along with a notification. If your Chromebook has only USB Type-C ports, use an adapter. You can open, copy, move, and delete files on the device as usual.
When you are done, click the eject icon next to the device to remove it safely, or press Ctrl + Shift + E.
How do I format an external drive on a Chromebook?
- Connect the device to your Chromebook.
- Open the Files app.
- Right-click the external storage device name.
- Choose Format device.
You can rename SD cards and USB drives from the same menu.
Frequently asked questions
What is the file manager on a Chromebook called?
It is called Files. Open it from the launcher to manage local storage, Google Drive, and connected USB drives or SD cards.
Where do my downloads go on a Chromebook?
By default, downloads and screenshots go to the Downloads folder under My files. You can change the default location in ChromeOS Settings.
Are files in My files backed up?
No. Files under My files are stored only on your Chromebook and are not backed up. A Powerwash or low storage can delete them, so keep important files in Google Drive.
Wrapping up
The Files app is the hub for everything file-related on a Chromebook. Use it to open and organize local files, manage Google Drive, and work with USB drives and SD cards. Keep anything important in Google Drive, since local My files storage is not backed up.
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