How to Use the ChromeOS Files App

What the Files app is

Every Chromebook includes the Files app, the file manager built into ChromeOS. You open it from the launcher or press the Search key and type Files. The app displays files on the device's internal storage, files in Google Drive, and any external drives you connect, all in one window.

ChromeOS is designed as a cloud-first system, and the Files app reflects that: Google Drive appears right in the sidebar next to local folders, so moving a document from Downloads to Drive does not require a separate upload step.

The main window has two parts: a sidebar on the left with every storage location, and a large pane on the right showing the folders and files inside the location you selected. A toolbar above the file list holds actions like New folder, Share, and the trash icon.

Browse the sidebar

The sidebar on the left is the main navigation tool. The top entry, My Files, contains folders that live on the Chromebook itself, including Downloads, Documents, and any folders you create. Below it, Google Drive shows files stored in the cloud, and the search field in the app can look inside all of these at once.

When you turn on the Linux development environment, the sidebar gains a Linux files entry. The setup flow is managed from Settings under About ChromeOS, and it takes ten minutes or more, after which you can open the Linux folder from the Files app just like any other location.

The sidebar also shows a list of recently used files at the top, giving quick access to items you opened or edited recently without navigating folders. This is a convenience when you switch between several projects in a day.

• My Files: local storage on the Chromebook, including Downloads and Documents
• Google Drive: cloud files in My Drive, Shared drives, and other Drive locations
• Linux files: available when the Linux development environment is enabled
• Removable devices: SD cards, USB drives, and phones

Create folders

Folders keep related files together. In the Files app, open the location where you want the new folder, select New folder near the top of the window, type a name, and press Enter. The folder is created immediately in that location, whether that is inside Downloads, a subfolder, or Google Drive.

You can also right-click an empty area in the file list and choose New folder. Creating folders works the same way for local storage and cloud drives, so you can build the same structure in both places.

Move and copy items

There are several ways to move a file or folder. The most direct is drag and drop: press and hold the item, drag it to another folder in the sidebar or to a folder you opened in the main pane, and release. To copy instead of move, hold Ctrl while dragging.

For keyboard users, select an item and press Ctrl+X to cut or Ctrl+C to copy, then open the destination folder and press Ctrl+V to paste. Right-click also offers Cut, Copy and Paste in the context menu. These commands work for files in local folders, on removable drives, and in Google Drive. Moving a file into Drive uploads it, while moving it out of Drive downloads it to local storage.

Batch operations trim time when you reorganize. Select several files, then cut or copy them all at once, or drag the whole selection to a destination. The same selection works for a batch move to Google Drive or to an attached drive.

• Drag and drop moves an item into a new folder.
• Ctrl+drag copies instead of moving.
• Ctrl+X, Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V work across the app.
• Right-click offers the same commands in the context menu.

Work with removable devices

SD cards and USB drives appear in the sidebar as soon as you plug them in. Browsing them works just like local folders, and you can create folders, copy files, or move files between the card and internal storage. When you are done, right-click the device in the sidebar and choose Eject before unplugging it.

You can use the same folder tools on external drives. Creating a folder on an SD card works exactly as it does in My Files, which is handy for keeping media organized by trip or by project. Formatting options for a card or drive live in that device's context menu. For a deeper look, see setting up external storage.

Search, select and clean up

The search bar at the top filters the files in the current folder as you type, and it can search both local and cloud locations. To select multiple items, click the first, then hold Ctrl and click the rest. With several items selected, you can move, copy, or delete them all at once.

Deleting a file moves it to the trash rather than erasing it immediately, so you can recover it if you change your mind. Emptying the trash permanently removes the items and frees storage. For more on making space and understanding where your files live, see cloud vs local storage and freeing up storage.

Build a folder system that lasts

A few habits keep file management easy over time. Let Downloads hold recent files, move finished work into named folders, and use Google Drive for anything you want accessible on other devices. Keep large media libraries on external storage so the internal drive stays clear.

Storage capacity sets a practical limit on what you can keep locally. If most of your files live in the cloud, a smaller internal drive will feel fine; if you edit video or keep large archives locally, you will want more. The Chromebook storage explained article and the SSD vs eMMC comparison cover the tradeoffs.

The Files app does not require extra software to be installed, and since ChromeOS checks for updates and downloads them when the device is online, new features arrive over time as Google refines the platform. That means the app you learn today will keep working as the system evolves. When you choose a machine, match its storage to your habits: 64GB Chromebooks suit light local use, while 128GB Chromebooks and 256GB Chromebooks leave more room for local files.

What to pick for the way you use files

Questions

Where do files go by default on a Chromebook?

Files you download from the web go to the Downloads folder inside My Files. You can change the default download folder in Settings.

Can I see Google Drive files in the Files app?

Yes. Google Drive appears in the sidebar, and its files are shown alongside local folders. You can move, copy, and create folders in Drive the same way as local files.

How do I make a new folder in the Files app?

Open the location where you want the folder, select New folder, type a name, and press Enter. You can also right-click in the file list and choose New folder.

How do I move a file to another folder?

Drag the file to the destination folder in the sidebar, or cut it with Ctrl+X, open the destination folder, and paste with Ctrl+V. You can also right-click and choose Cut and then Paste.