how to delete downloads on chromebook

There are many advantages to using a Chromebook over a laptop, including the straightforward management of apps.

How to Delete Apps From a Chromebook

Ever since Chrome OS integrated with Android OS, this process has become easier. You can add and delete apps in a few steps as often as you want.

However, Chromebook won't let you delete every app – some stay installed no matter what. This article will tell you everything you need to know about how to remove apps from Chromebook. Plus, we'll answer several important questions about the Chrome OS and Android Play Store.

How to Delete Apps From a Chromebook

Every Chromebook comes with a pre-installed web store. When you download an app via the Chrome web store, it will be automatically saved on your device.

If you find that you are not using a particular app and that it's time to delete it, Chromebook makes this an effortless process. Here's how to remove an app from Chromebook:

The first step is to find a small circle in the bottom left corner of the screen. If you hover over the circle, it will say, "Launcher."
When you click on the "Launcher" icon, a panel will emerge from the bottom of the screen. Click on the arrow in the middle pointing upwards.
You will see a list of all the apps on your Chromebook. If you have many apps, you'll have to scroll up and down to view them all. Finally, select the app you wish to delete.
Right-click on the app, and from the menu, select "Remove from Chrome."
Again, select "Remove."

How to Delete an Android App on Chromebook

We've talked about how to remove an app you've downloaded from the Chrome web store. This is incredibly important because every Chromebook has access to the Chrome web store.

However, Chromebooks produced after 2017 also have access to Android apps. In fact, if you purchased your Chromebook post-2017, you'll notice that it came with a pre-installed Play Store in the Launcher pad.

This means that Chromebook users have access to any Android app, just as they would on the smartphone or tablet.

The process of removing an Android app from Chromebook is the same as it is for those downloaded from the Chrome web store, with one slight difference. Here's how it works:

Click on the circle in the bottom left corner.
Then click on the arrow pointing upwards on the panel at the bottom of the screen.
Right-click on the app you intend to delete.
Now, select "Uninstall."
Once again, confirm by selecting "Uninstall."

That is the only difference – it will say "Uninstall" instead of "Remove from Chrome." The app will automatically be removed from your Chromebook.

How to Delete Apps From an HP Chromebook

HP Chromebooks are sleek, affordable, and versatile. If you have an HP Chromebook, deleting an app shouldn't take more than a few seconds.

Regardless of whether you're removing a Chrome app or an Android app, the process will be the same, save for the last step. Here's what you do:

In the bottom left corner of the home screen, click on the small circle. A pop-up pad will appear at the bottom of the screen.
Select the arrow pointing upwards and allow for it to expand. You'll see the list of all your apps.
Right-click on the app and select "Remove from Chrome" or "Uninstall."
Confirm your selection on the following pop-up window.

How to Delete Apps From a Samsung Chromebook

Samsung offers a wide range of Chromebooks when it comes to screen size and memory. Some of them even have the touchscreen feature.

Whichever you happen to own, if you want to remove an app you don't need anymore, it's a straightforward process.

Expand your Launcher by clicking on the circle icon in the bottom left corner of the screen.
By clicking the upwards arrow on the Launcher, you will see all the apps on your Chromebook.
Right-click on the app you no longer need. From the menu, select "Remove from Chrome" or "Uninstall" if it's an Android app.
Once you confirm your choice, the app will be removed in a second or two.

How to Delete Apps From an Asus Chromebook

Asus Chromebooks are some of the best options for students, and their Chromebook Flip series is particularly unique.

However, when adding and removing apps, Asus Chromebooks work the same as Chromebooks from other manufacturers. Here's what you need to do to delete an app from an Asus Chromebook:

Get access to all the apps by clicking on the circle icon in the bottom left corner. When the Launcher pops-up, click on the upward arrow in the middle.
Scroll up or down until you find the app you wish to remove.
Right-click on the app and then choose "Remove from Chrome" or "Uninstall" if you're removing an Android app.
When prompted, confirm the selection.

How to Delete Apps From Acer Chromebook

Acer is another brand that produces excellent and affordable Chromebooks. If Acer manufactured your Chromebook and you want to delete an app you have no use for anymore, here's what you do:

Click on the circle in the bottom right corner. Then, click on the upwards arrow on the Launcher pad.
Find the app you're planning to delete. Right-click on the app.
From the menu, select "Remove from Chrome" or "Uninstall" if it's an Android app.
Select "Remove" or "Uninstall" again to confirm.

How to Delete Apps From a Dell Chromebook

Dell has several versions of Chromebook, and like every other Chromebook, the OS is quietly and continuously being updated, so users don't have to worry about it at any point.

If you want to make sure your Chromebook always has enough storage for the updates, you can remove the apps you no longer use. You can do so from your Dell Chromebook by following these steps:

Select the circle in the bottom left corner of the screen. On the Launcher pad, select the upwards arrow.
Scroll through the apps until you find the one you wish to remove. Right-click on the app.
From the menu, select either "Remove from Chrome" or "Uninstall" if you're removing an Android app.
Confirm that you wish to remove the app on the next pop-up window.

How to Delete YouTube From Chromebook

YouTube is one of several apps that come pre-installed on your Chromebook. If you have other Android devices, that probably doesn't come as a surprise. But if you don't need YouTube on your Chromebook because it perhaps distracts you from studying or working, you can delete it.

As an Android app, YouTube will be saved among all other apps on the Chromebook. Make sure to open your Launcher and then expand it to see all the apps.

Right-click on YouTube when you locate it and then select "Uninstall" from the menu. You will be prompted to confirm, and then YouTube will be removed from your Chromebook.

How to Delete Apps on Chromebooks via the App Drawer

On Chromebook, the list of apps you see when you expand the Launcher is sometimes referred to as the App Drawer. In some ways, it resembles pulling the apps from a virtual "drawer." They are all in one place.

This is the most convenient way to delete apps in Chromebook, regardless of whether they're Android or from the Chrome web store. You will find all App Drawer apps by clicking on the circle in the bottom left corner of the screen, and then by clicking on the upwards pointing arrow on the Launcher pad.

You can delete an app by right-clicking on it and selecting "Remove from Chrome" or "Uninstall."

How to Uninstall Apps on Chromebooks via Play Store

If you've ever used an Android device before, then you know that it's possible to uninstall an app directly from it. On Chromebooks, that process is remarkably similar. Here's how it works:

Click on the "Play Store" icon on your home screen.
Search for the app you plan to delete from your Chromebook.
You will see two options, "Open" and "Uninstall." Select "Uninstall."

The app will automatically be removed from your Chromebook and from the list of apps.

Additional FAQs

1. How Do I Uninstall Chrome OS?

If you wish to uninstall Chrome OS and replace it with another operating system such as Windows or macOS, you should know that it can be a complex and risky endeavor.

Chromebook manufacturers use components that make it super light-weight and that are we-centric for the most part. That makes Chromebook ill-suited for heavier operating systems.

Furthermore, most Chromebooks include a unique write-protect screw located on the motherboard that has the specific purpose of preventing you from installing any other operating system. However, if you're particularly tech-savvy, you might take the risk, but it's not recommended.

2. How Do I Uninstall Google Chrome?

Unsurprisingly, Chrome is the default browser on Chromebooks. When you purchase a Chromebook, it comes already set up, along with the Chrome web store app. Uninstalling Chrome is not an option on Chromebook, unfortunately.

But that doesn't mean you can't use another web browser if you prefer it. The quickest way to shift to another option would be to go to Play Store and download an Android-supported browser. You can use Firefox, Opera, Microsoft Edge, and several others.

Purging Your Chromebook From Apps

As Chromebook is perfect for cloud computing and light-weight apps, you might soon be handling a ton of apps you don't need. The same as you would with your phone, removing unnecessary apps will allow your device to run smoother and faster.

Fortunately, deleting apps from Chromebook is incredibly simple and quick. Sticking to Chrome as the default browser is probably best, but you can use others if you want.

Also, we don't recommend replacing Chrome OS with a different operating system unless you're sure what you're doing.

How many apps do you have on your Chromebook? Let us know in the comments section below.