The Delete key is in the top right of your keyboard, usually labeled "Backspace" or with a back arrow

Chromebooks use the same Backspace key that Windows and Mac computers do, but it sits where the Delete key normally would on a traditional keyboard. On the top row of keys, all the way to the right before the power button, you'll find a key with a left-pointing arrow. That's your delete key. Press it to remove characters to the left of your cursor, just like on any other computer.

The reason it's labeled differently comes down to space. Chromebook keyboards are flatter and more compact than traditional laptop keyboards, so manufacturers use symbols instead of words. The back arrow is the universal symbol for "delete the character before this one," which is what Backspace does.

Key Takeaways

  • The Backspace key with a back arrow sits in the top right corner of your Chromebook keyboard, where the Delete key would be on other laptops.
  • Pressing Backspace removes characters to the left of your cursor, the same function as Delete on Windows or Mac computers.
  • To delete characters to the right of your cursor, hold Alt and press Backspace, which works like the Forward Delete key on other computers.
  • You can also select text with your mouse or trackpad and press Backspace to remove it all at once.

How to delete text to the right of your cursor

On a regular computer, you have two delete keys: Backspace (deletes left) and Delete (deletes right). Chromebooks only have the Backspace key visible, but you can get the "delete right" function by holding Alt and pressing Backspace. This removes the character to the right of your cursor instead of to the left.

This matters when you're editing text in the middle of a sentence. If your cursor is between two words and you want to remove the word ahead of you, Alt + Backspace does that. Without the Alt key, regular Backspace would delete the word behind you instead.

Deleting entire lines or selections

If you want to delete a whole line of text at once, you don't have to press Backspace dozens of times. Select the text you want gone by clicking and dragging your mouse or trackpad across it, then press Backspace. Everything highlighted will disappear.

You can also select an entire line by triple-clicking on it, or select from your cursor to the end of the line by holding Shift and pressing the End key, then pressing Backspace. These shortcuts work the same way on Chromebooks as they do on Windows or Mac computers.

Clearing your Chromebook's cache and browsing data

When people ask about a "delete button" on Chromebooks, they sometimes mean clearing out old files and browsing history. That's different from the Backspace key. To delete your browsing data, open Chrome (the web browser that comes with every Chromebook), press Ctrl + Shift + Delete, and a window will open where you can choose what to remove.

You can delete your browsing history, cookies, cached images and files, passwords, and more. Choose how far back you want to go — the last hour, the last day, all time, or a custom date range. This is useful if you want to clear out old data without deleting your actual files and documents.

Removing files from your Downloads folder or Google Drive

To delete files you've downloaded or stored on your Chromebook, open the Files app (it looks like a folder). Find the file you want to remove, right-click on it, and select "Delete" from the menu that appears. The file will move to your Trash folder, where it stays for 30 days before being permanently removed.

If you're deleting files from Google Drive instead, the process is the same: right-click the file and choose "Delete." Files in Drive's trash also stay there for 30 days. If you change your mind about deleting something, you can open Trash and restore it before those 30 days are up.

Uninstalling apps and extensions

To remove an app from your Chromebook, right-click on its icon in your app drawer or on your shelf (the taskbar at the bottom), and select "Remove from Chrome" or "Uninstall." The app will disappear when ready. If it's a web app you installed from the Chrome Web Store, this removes it from your device but doesn't affect the website itself.

For browser extensions — small tools that add features to Chrome — click the three-dot menu in the top right of your browser, go to "More tools," then "Extensions." Find the extension you want to remove and click the trash icon next to it. The extension will be gone the next time you refresh your browser.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why doesn't my Chromebook have a Delete key like my old laptop?

Chromebook keyboards are designed to be thinner and more compact, so they use symbols instead of full words for less common keys. The back arrow symbol on the Backspace key takes up less space than spelling out "Delete." You get the same function — it just looks different.

Can I delete files permanently without the 30-day trash delay?

Yes. In your Files app, right-click the Trash folder and select "Empty trash" to permanently delete everything in it right away. Once you do this, those files cannot be recovered, so make sure you don't need them first.

What happens if I delete something by accident?

If you deleted it less than 30 days ago, open your Trash folder, right-click the file, and select "Restore." It will go back to where it was. If it's been more than 30 days, the file is gone permanently and cannot be recovered.

Is there a way to undo a delete if I haven't emptied the trash yet?

Yes. Open your Files app, click on Trash in the left sidebar, find the file you want back, right-click it, and choose "Restore." The file returns to its original location. You can do this anytime within the 30-day window.