Key takeaways:
- Select and delete images in bulk on your Chromebook.
- Empty the Trash to permanently free up space.
- No built-in image filter, but you can use keyboard shortcuts.
Running out of storage on your Chromebook? 🥲 Images pile up fast, especially with all those screenshots and downloads. If you want to clear space, I’ll show you exactly how to delete images—fast, easy, and no stress. This guide will walk you through each step, so you’ll get your storage back and keep your Chromebook running smooth.
Table of Contents
- Where Your Images Hide and Why Space Gets Tight
- Step-by-Step: Deleting Images on Chromebook
- Tips for Bulk Deleting and Quick Cleanups
- What If You Want to Delete Folders Too?
- Chromebook Doesn’t Have a Filter for Images—But Here’s a Workaround
- Why Freeing Up Space Matters
- Quick Table: Chromebook Image Deletion Shortcuts
- How to Avoid Filling Up Storage Again
- FAQs
- How do I permanently delete images from my Chromebook?
- Can I filter only image files in the Chromebook Files app?
- What happens if I don’t empty the Trash?
- Where do screenshots go on a Chromebook?
- How can I check how much storage I have left?
Where Your Images Hide and Why Space Gets Tight
So here’s the deal: Chromebooks don’t have a built-in way to filter just images in the Files app. That means you can’t just hit a button and see only your .jpg or .png files. Instead, you’ll need to do a little manual work. Most images end up in your Downloads folder or My files—think screenshots, downloads from the web, and stuff you saved from email.
If you want to know more about managing files, check out how to access your USB drive on Chromebook.
Step-by-Step: Deleting Images on Chromebook
Open the Files App
Click the Launcher (the circle in the bottom left), then open Files. This is your main hub for everything you’ve saved.
Find Your Images
Most of the time, you’ll find images in the Downloads folder or My files. If you save images from the web, they’re probably here.
Select Images to Delete
You’ve got a few options:
- Single image: Click once to select, then hit the Trash icon or right-click and choose Move to trash.
- Multiple images: Hold Ctrl and click each image, or use Ctrl + A to select everything in the folder.
- Click and drag: Click and drag a box around the images you want (just like on Windows or Mac).
If you want to learn more about selecting multiple files, this guide for Windows 10 also works for the Chromebook method.
Send Images to the Trash
Once selected, click the Trash icon at the top, or right-click and pick Move to trash. If your Chromebook uses UK English, it might say Bin instead of Trash—same thing.
Use the Gallery App (Optional)
If you open an image, it’ll open in the Gallery app. There’s a Trash icon here too. Click it to send the image to Trash.
Empty the Trash for Good
Here’s the catch: Deleting sends images to Trash, but they’re not gone yet. They’ll sit there for 30 days, still taking up space. To wipe them out:
- Go to the Trash folder in the Files app.
- Click Empty trash now.
- Confirm with Delete forever.
Now your Chromebook actually frees up the space! 🎉
Want to clear even more? Learn how to delete downloads on Chromebook for extra breathing room.
Tips for Bulk Deleting and Quick Cleanups
- Use Ctrl + A for fast selection if you want to nuke everything in a folder.
- Want to keep a few images? Hold Ctrl and click only the ones you want to delete.
- If you’re always running low on space, consider moving files to Google Drive or an external USB drive. Here’s how to check your Chromebook storage.
What If You Want to Delete Folders Too?
Sometimes images are tucked away in folders. If you want to clear out whole folders, here’s how to delete folders on Chromebook.
Chromebook Doesn’t Have a Filter for Images—But Here’s a Workaround
You can’t filter by file type in the Files app, but you can sort by name or date. If you know your screenshots start with “Screenshot” or your downloads have a certain file extension, use the search bar in the Files app to find them quicker.
Why Freeing Up Space Matters
Low storage = slow Chromebook. Plus, you might not be able to download new files or updates. Regular cleanups keep your device running smooth and frustration-free.
If you’re curious about other ways to speed up your Chromebook, check out these tips.
Quick Table: Chromebook Image Deletion Shortcuts
| Task | Shortcut/Method |
|---|---|
| Select all files | Ctrl + A |
| Select multiple files | Hold Ctrl, click files |
| Delete selected files | Trash icon/right-click |
| Empty trash | Empty trash now |
How to Avoid Filling Up Storage Again
- Regularly move files to Google Drive.
- Delete downloads after you use them.
- Use an SD card or USB drive for big files. Learn how to access USB drives on Chromebook.
If you want to get even more organized, change your Chromebook’s default download location to an external drive.
FAQs
How do I permanently delete images from my Chromebook?
Go to the Trash folder in the Files app and click Empty trash now. Confirm with Delete forever and the images are gone for good.
Can I filter only image files in the Chromebook Files app?
Nope, there’s no built-in filter for image files. You’ll need to search by file name or extension, or just scroll through and select them manually.
What happens if I don’t empty the Trash?
Files stay in Trash for 30 days, still taking up space. After 30 days, they’re deleted automatically, but if you need space now, empty it yourself.
Where do screenshots go on a Chromebook?
Screenshots usually land in the Downloads folder. If you changed your default download location, check there.
How can I check how much storage I have left?
Open Settings > Device > Storage management to see what’s using up space. Or, follow this guide for step-by-step instructions.
Done! Your Chromebook should feel lighter already. If you want to get even more out of your device, see more Chromebook tips here. 🚀
Citations:
[1] https://ppl-ai-file-upload.s3.amazonaws.com/web/direct-files/797345/2c65cbc8-fd8b-4097-b6fc-d6b679407186/Ultimate-ChatGPT-Banned-Words.txt
[2] https://ppl-ai-file-upload.s3.amazonaws.com/web/direct-files/797345/604b2c3a-9491-4933-9e6f-b194012cb05e/AG-URL-18-04-2025.CSV
[3] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiBUTmeTiUs
[4] https://www.reddit.com/r/chromeos/comments/es1pn5/deleting_an_undeletable_picture_from_a_chromebook/
[5] https://www.reddit.com/r/chromeos/comments/16y12bv/i_have_little_to_no_storage_on_my_chromebook/
[6] https://www.reddit.com/r/chromeos/comments/10icnvo/deleted_files_taking_up_space/
[7] https://www.reddit.com/r/chromeos/comments/1dftasn/chromebook_low_storage_rescue/
[8] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgad3v8FDxw
[9] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiBUTmeTiUs
[10] https://www.howtogeek.com/191299/6-ways-to-free-up-space-on-a-chromebook/
[11] https://www.reddit.com/r/chromeos/comments/1c5kko0/cannot_delete_files_from_external_storage_on/
[12] https://www.reddit.com/r/chromeos/comments/yis0nc/my_chromebook_wont_let_me_download_linux_says_i/
[13] https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/1700055
[14] https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/1061547
[15] https://support.lenovo.com/es/en/solutions/ht102972
[16] https://www.reddit.com/r/googlephotos/comments/1c9q8ef/how_to_delete_all_photos/
[17] https://www.reddit.com/r/chromeos/comments/129oinr/delete_a_file_directly_without_trash/
[18] https://www.reddit.com/r/chromeos/comments/hdo99p/is_there_a_way_to_disable_automatic_file_deleting/
[19] https://www.reddit.com/r/chromeos/comments/q9iyyy/ive_had_my_new_chromebook_for_only_a_few_months/
[20] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvnA8nF0DO4
[21] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0fRLm8S-dM
[22] https://chromeunboxed.com/google-photos-free-up-space-storage-limit-reached
Answer from Perplexity: pplx.ai/share
