Even though we’ve become used to dealing with a lot of files, we can still accidentally delete something or delete a file and later realize we want it back. It’s easy to find and restore a Chromebook, but you have a limited window of time to do it. You can recover deleted files whether you have a premium Chromebook or a budget-friendly device.



The Acer Chromebook Spin 714 on a white table with some books and a pot behind it.

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You have 30 days before the Trash is permanently deleted on ChromeOS

Deleted files are stored in your Chromebook’s recycle bin, called the Trash folder. Even though they are stored in the Trash, they only stay there for 30 days before they are permanently deleted. If it’s been less than 30 days, you’ll have an easy time restoring what you’re looking for.

Chromebooks do this, so you have time to change your mind. Files are automatically deleted after 30 days so that the Trash folder doesn’t use too much storage space. Back up your Chromebook regularly. Then, you’ll have a copy of your files in case you need them after they’re deleted.

If you deleted a file and need it back before the Trash window is up, follow the steps below.


Split Screening Chrome on the HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook

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How to find files you deleted on a Chromebook

To restore your deleted files, you’ll need to locate them first.

  1. Open the Files app on your Chromebook. You can do this by tapping the icon on your Shelf. You can also click the Search button and search for Files.
  2. On the left side, tap the Trash option.
    The Trash section of the Files app on a Chromebook
  3. This is where you’ll find all the files you deleted in the past 30 days.


How to restore a deleted file on your Chromebook

If you deleted a file that you want back, Chromebooks allow you to restore it from the Trash folder. To restore it, you must recover the file within 30 days of deleting it.

  1. Launch the Files app on your Chromebook.
  2. Tap the Trash folder on the left side.
  3. Right-click the name of the file you’d like to restore.
  4. Tap the Restore from trash option in the drop-down menu, or press Alt + Backspace when a file is selected to restore it.
    The Restore from Trash option highlighted on a file in the Trash in the Files app on a Chromebook


You have now restored your file.

The file returns to the folder it was in before it was deleted. For instance, if you delete a file from your
Downloads folder
, it returns to the
Downloads folder
when you restore it. If you aren’t sure where the file was originally stored, choose
Get Info
from the same menu or press the
Space
bar when the file is highlighted.


How to restore deleted Google Drive files on a Chromebook

Many use Google Drive on their Chromebooks because it frees up local storage space. You’ll see a Google Drive section in the Files app, and you can add and delete files as if they were in a local folder on your Chromebook, even though they are stored in the cloud.

To recover files deleted from Google Drive, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Google Chromebrowser on your Chromebook.
  2. Navigate to the Google Drive website.
  3. Tap Trash on the left. You’ll find your deleted files.
  4. Find the file you’d like to restore and tap the three dots in the upper-right corner of it.
  5. Select Restore from the list of options.
    Restoring a deleted file from the Trash section of Google Drive
  6. Your file goes back to the Google Drive folder you deleted it from and is accessible again on your Chromebook.

When you click a file in your Google Drive
Trash
, you’ll find the original location in the right sidebar, under the
Details
tab and
Location
section.


Google Drive files hero with drive logo displayed over the drive menu

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How to restore Linux files on a Chromebook

Chromebooks can use the Linux operating system alongside ChromeOS. ChromeOS is a Linux-based operating system that allows you to run a Debian Linux distribution alongside it. It adds a layer of complexity, so restoring files for Linux is a bit complicated. There isn’t an easy way to restore individual files like there is in ChromeOS, but you can restore your data from a backup.

Restoring data from a previous backup leads to data loss since all current Linux data is deleted. Make sure you have all the files you need before you do this.



  1. Go to the Settings app on your Chromebook.
  2. Tap Advanced, then select Developers on the left.
  3. Select Linux.
  4. Select Backup and Restore.
  5. To restore from a previous backup, tap Restore, then tap Restore again.
  6. Select the backup you’d like to restore within the My Files section and tap Open.
  7. You’ll see a progress bar in the lower-right corner showing you the progress of your backup restoration.


Do more with ChromeOS and your laptop

Files are an essential piece of our digital life, so the ability to get them back if you accidentally delete them is important. Chromebooks make this easy, no matter where you originally stored your files. Try more advanced data recovery techniques if you miss the 30-day window or can’t restore a file using these methods. There’s no guarantee that you can recover your files, but you can take your Chromebook to a data recovery specialist. To further mitigate data loss, regularly back up your Google account data.