Are you running out of storage space on your Chromebook and want to free up some room by deleting photos? Or perhaps you simply want to get rid of some old or unwanted pictures. Whatever the reason, deleting photos from a Chromebook is a relatively straightforward process. In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps to delete photos from your Chromebook, as well as provide some tips on how to manage your photo library and free up storage space.
Understanding Chromebook Storage
Before we dive into the process of deleting photos, it’s essential to understand how Chromebook storage works. Chromebooks use a combination of local storage and cloud storage to store files, including photos. The local storage is limited, and it’s used to store essential files, such as the operating system, apps, and some user data. Cloud storage, on the other hand, is used to store larger files, such as photos, videos, and documents.
Chromebooks come with a limited amount of local storage, typically ranging from 16GB to 128GB. If you’re running out of storage space, you may need to delete some files, including photos, to free up room.
Where Are Photos Stored on a Chromebook?
Photos on a Chromebook are typically stored in the following locations:
- Google Photos: If you have a Google account, your photos are likely stored in Google Photos, which is a cloud-based photo storage service. Google Photos offers unlimited storage for photos up to 16 megapixels and videos up to 1080p.
- Local Storage: Some photos may be stored locally on your Chromebook, especially if you’ve downloaded them from Google Photos or transferred them from another device.
- External Storage: If you have an external storage device, such as an SD card or USB drive, you may have stored photos on it.
Deleting Photos from Google Photos
If you want to delete photos from Google Photos, follow these steps:
Using the Google Photos App
- Open the Google Photos app on your Chromebook.
- Select the photos you want to delete by clicking on them. You can select multiple photos by holding down the Ctrl key while clicking.
- Click on the three vertical dots at the top right corner of the screen.
- Select “Delete” from the dropdown menu.
- Confirm that you want to delete the photos by clicking on “Delete” again.
Using the Google Photos Website
- Go to the Google Photos website on your Chromebook.
- Sign in to your Google account.
- Select the photos you want to delete by clicking on them. You can select multiple photos by holding down the Ctrl key while clicking.
- Click on the three vertical dots at the top right corner of the screen.
- Select “Delete” from the dropdown menu.
- Confirm that you want to delete the photos by clicking on “Delete” again.
Deleting Photos from Local Storage
If you want to delete photos from local storage on your Chromebook, follow these steps:
Using the Files App
- Open the Files app on your Chromebook.
- Navigate to the folder where your photos are stored. This is usually the “Downloads” or “Pictures” folder.
- Select the photos you want to delete by clicking on them. You can select multiple photos by holding down the Ctrl key while clicking.
- Right-click on the selected photos and select “Delete” from the context menu.
- Confirm that you want to delete the photos by clicking on “Delete” again.
Using the Trash Folder
- Open the Files app on your Chromebook.
- Navigate to the “Trash” folder.
- Select the photos you want to delete by clicking on them. You can select multiple photos by holding down the Ctrl key while clicking.
- Right-click on the selected photos and select “Delete forever” from the context menu.
- Confirm that you want to delete the photos by clicking on “Delete forever” again.
Deleting Photos from External Storage
If you want to delete photos from an external storage device, such as an SD card or USB drive, follow these steps:
Using the Files App
- Open the Files app on your Chromebook.
- Navigate to the external storage device.
- Select the photos you want to delete by clicking on them. You can select multiple photos by holding down the Ctrl key while clicking.
- Right-click on the selected photos and select “Delete” from the context menu.
- Confirm that you want to delete the photos by clicking on “Delete” again.
Tips for Managing Your Photo Library
Here are some tips for managing your photo library on your Chromebook:
- Use Google Photos: Google Photos is a great way to store and manage your photos. It offers unlimited storage for photos up to 16 megapixels and videos up to 1080p.
- Organize Your Photos: Use folders and albums to organize your photos. This will make it easier to find and delete photos.
- Delete Duplicate Photos: If you have duplicate photos, delete them to free up storage space.
- Use the Trash Folder: Use the Trash folder to store photos that you want to delete. This will give you a chance to recover them if you change your mind.
- Empty the Trash Folder: Regularly empty the Trash folder to free up storage space.
Conclusion
Deleting photos from a Chromebook is a relatively straightforward process. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can delete photos from Google Photos, local storage, and external storage devices. Remember to use Google Photos to store and manage your photos, and use the tips outlined in this article to keep your photo library organized and clutter-free.
Q: How do I access my photos on a Chromebook?
To access your photos on a Chromebook, you can use the Files app. The Files app is the default file manager on Chrome OS, and it allows you to view, manage, and delete your files, including photos. To open the Files app, click on the Launcher button (usually located at the bottom left corner of the screen), type “Files” in the search bar, and select the Files app from the search results. Alternatively, you can also access your photos from the Google Photos app, which is usually pre-installed on Chromebooks.
Once you open the Files app, navigate to the “My files” or “Downloads” folder, depending on where your photos are stored. You can also use the search bar to search for specific photos. If you’re using the Google Photos app, you can browse through your photos by date, album, or search for specific photos using the search bar.
Q: How do I select multiple photos to delete on a Chromebook?
To select multiple photos to delete on a Chromebook, you can use the Files app or the Google Photos app. In the Files app, navigate to the folder where your photos are stored, and then press the Ctrl key on your keyboard while clicking on each photo you want to select. This will allow you to select multiple photos at once. Alternatively, you can also use the “Select all” option by pressing Ctrl + A on your keyboard.
In the Google Photos app, you can select multiple photos by long-pressing on a photo until it’s selected, and then tapping on other photos to add them to the selection. You can also use the “Select all” option by tapping on the three vertical dots at the top right corner of the screen and selecting “Select all”. Once you’ve selected the photos you want to delete, you can proceed to delete them.
Q: How do I delete photos from the Files app on a Chromebook?
To delete photos from the Files app on a Chromebook, navigate to the folder where your photos are stored, and select the photos you want to delete. Once you’ve selected the photos, right-click on one of the selected photos and select “Move to Trash” from the context menu. Alternatively, you can also press the Delete key on your keyboard to move the selected photos to the Trash.
Once you’ve moved the photos to the Trash, they will be deleted permanently after 30 days. If you want to delete them immediately, you can empty the Trash by right-clicking on the Trash folder and selecting “Empty Trash”. Note that deleting photos from the Files app will not delete them from Google Photos or other cloud storage services.
Q: How do I delete photos from the Google Photos app on a Chromebook?
To delete photos from the Google Photos app on a Chromebook, select the photos you want to delete, and then tap on the three vertical dots at the top right corner of the screen. From the menu, select “Move to Trash”. Alternatively, you can also press the Delete key on your keyboard to move the selected photos to the Trash.
Once you’ve moved the photos to the Trash, they will be deleted permanently after 60 days. If you want to delete them immediately, you can empty the Trash by going to the Google Photos settings, selecting “Trash”, and then selecting “Empty Trash”. Note that deleting photos from the Google Photos app will also delete them from other devices connected to your Google account.
Q: Can I recover deleted photos on a Chromebook?
If you’ve deleted photos from the Files app on a Chromebook, you can recover them from the Trash folder if you act quickly. The Trash folder stores deleted files for 30 days before they’re deleted permanently. To recover deleted photos, navigate to the Trash folder, select the photos you want to recover, and then right-click on one of the selected photos and select “Restore” from the context menu.
If you’ve deleted photos from the Google Photos app, you can recover them from the Trash folder within 60 days. To recover deleted photos, go to the Google Photos settings, select “Trash”, and then select the photos you want to recover. Note that if you’ve emptied the Trash folder or exceeded the time limit, you may not be able to recover your deleted photos.
Q: Will deleting photos from a Chromebook free up storage space?
Deleting photos from a Chromebook can free up storage space, but it depends on where the photos are stored. If you delete photos from the Files app, it will free up storage space on your Chromebook’s local storage. However, if you delete photos from the Google Photos app, it will only free up storage space if you’re using the “Original quality” upload setting and the photos are stored on your Chromebook’s local storage.
If you’re using the “High quality” upload setting, deleting photos from the Google Photos app will not free up storage space on your Chromebook, as the photos are stored in the cloud. However, it will free up storage space in your Google Drive account. To free up storage space on your Chromebook, you can also consider deleting other files, emptying the Trash folder, or using an external storage device.
Q: Can I delete photos from a Chromebook using the Google Drive website?
Yes, you can delete photos from a Chromebook using the Google Drive website. To do this, go to the Google Drive website, sign in to your Google account, and navigate to the “My Drive” or “Google Photos” folder. Select the photos you want to delete, and then right-click on one of the selected photos and select “Remove” from the context menu.
Alternatively, you can also select the photos you want to delete and then click on the “Trash” button at the top right corner of the screen. Once you’ve moved the photos to the Trash, they will be deleted permanently after 60 days. Note that deleting photos from the Google Drive website will also delete them from other devices connected to your Google account, including your Chromebook.