All information about Google Drive. How Google Drive works? Everything you need to know about Google Drive.

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There’s absolute confidence that Google Drive is one in all the foremost versatile cloud storage services obtainable nowadays. Using it, however, could be a very little totally different than what you will be wont to, thus during this guide, we’ll show you specifically however Google Drive works, particularly its suite of apps, like Google Docs and Sheets.

Along the means, we’ll mention wherever Google Drive exceeds thus you recognize what tasks it works best for, whereas additionally saying wherever you’d be more contented going with a safer cloud storage service like several of the choices mentioned in our greatest cloud storage roundup. 

What is Google Drive and Cloud Storage
Google Drive could be a cloud storage service, and like several cloud storage service, its main purpose is to expand your ability to store files on the far side the bounds of your disk drive. Cloud storage is typically confused with on-line backup, that achieves a really totally different purpose exploitation similar infrastructure.

However, simply put, on-line backup is intended to duplicate your disk drive instead of expand it, with the goal of disaster recovery. As we’ll mention later, Google Drive has recently began to expand into the net backup market by holding you tag any folder for backup.  

Google can offer you 15GB of free cloud storage only for sign language up. However, it’s necessary to understand that each one of that free area is shared between Google Drive, Google Photos and Gmail.

Even still, for several users that 15GB can go pretty way while not having to pay a dime. And it’s not like Google incorporates a monopoly on free if it doesn’t. look at our summary of the simplest free cloud storage services for a few alternative ideas.  

Google Drive hasn’t achieved its staggering quality entirely on the rear of golem phones sales and Gmail. There ar some things it will in addition or higher than the other cloud storage service. Most of that must do with productivity, due to each Google’s native workplace suite, Google Docs, and a variety of third-party applications.

However, there also are thusmethings Google Drive doesn’t do so well. the largest failings ought to do with privacy.

For example, Google grants itself, through its terms and conditions, the proper to scan the files you store within the cloud for promoting functions. On prime of that, Google Drive doesn’t offer you any thanks to extremely secure file shares, like arcanum protection.    
If privacy is associate degree absolute should for you, you will need to contemplate encrypting your files before causing them to the cloud with a service like Boxcryptor if you are doing find yourself exploitation Google Drive.

Better yet, think about one in all the simplest zero-knowledge cloud storage suppliers. whereas ultra-secure choices like set.com  don’t have Google Drive’s productivity apps, there’s no reason you can’t use each to limit the chance by exploitation Google for active comes and a additional privacy-oriented answer for long-run storage.

What are you able to Store in Google Drive?
Google Drive will store any quite file: photos, videos, .pdfs,  Microsoft workplace files — something. you'll be able to additionally save email attachments sent to you thru Gmail on to Google Drive, that saves you from having to create the move manually.

There ar some general file attribute limits that Google Drive enforces, however, they’re pretty generous and shouldn’t impact most users. Documents, for instance, may be up to one.02 million characters long, and if you change a document to Google Docs format, it must be 50MB or smaller in size.

Spreadsheets created in or born-again to Google Sheets, that is Google’s computer programme application, got to be 2 million cells or smaller. displays created in or born-again to Google Slides, a presentation builder, got to be 100MB or smaller.

All alternative file varieties got to be 5TB or less, provided you’ve purchased that abundant storage.

One of the great things regarding Google Drive is that it helps you to preview files from among the browser while not having to transfer them, first. several zero-knowledge services don’t allow you to try this, due to the very fact that the service can’t decipher your files.

Previews ar obtainable for Microsoft workplace, Adobe and general file varieties, like .txt files, image files, audio files, and even video files. Its skillfulness makes Google Drive nice for not solely obtaining work done however enjoying your media library, too.  

Signing Up for Google Drive – however will it Work?
You can sign on for Google Drive by making a Google account at World Wide Web.google.com associate degreed clicking produce an account. A wizard can walk you thru the method.


Creating a Google account not solely provides you access to Drive however Gmail, Google Play {and several|and a number of alternative|and several other} other Google services, too.

Once you've got a Google account created, you'll be able to access your 15GB of free cupboard space in one in all 3 ways: through your browser, through your desktop filing system, and thru your mobile device.

Using Google Drive from Your Browser
Google Drive may be accessed through the foremost browsers by attending to drive.google.com and work in exploitation your Google account credentials. that has Chrome, of course, additionally to Firefox, Microsoft Edge (Windows only) and campaign (Mac only).


The programme is fairly intuitive, with navigation tabs on the left margin for:

My Drive: access your keep files
My Computer: see what computers ar synced
Shared with Me: access files shared with you
Recent: access recently used files
Google Photos: access your image library
Starred: read files labeled  for the importance
Trash: access your recycle bin
Backups: access your backups
Upgrade Storage: obtain additional cloud storage
The “my drive” tab is that the central hub of Google Drive. It contains the most repository for files you transfer to the Google cloud. It works sort of a folder, capable of containing each files and subfolders. In fact, My Drive mirrors the Google Drive set folder that gets put in on your pc after you install the Google Drive consumer (we’ll bit thereon within the next section).

These subfolders and files seem within the central pane of the browser interface if you’ve clicked on the “my drive” tab. Double-clicking on any subfolder in this central pane helps you to drill down into it to access files and extra subfolders contained among.

If you recognize the particular name of a folder or file you’re trying to find, you'll be able to additionally use the search bar to close the highest to search out it additional quickly.

Navigating through My Drive works additional or less like several graphical filing system, thus if you’ve used Windows or MacOS before, it ought to all appear pretty acquainted. you'll be able to drag-and-drop folders and files, and right-click on any object to access a menu for that object.


Menu things of note embrace associate degree choice to preview the file and another to open the move into a program capable of operating with it.

There ar many various styles of programs that may be integrated simply with Google Drive, that happens to be one in all Google Drive’s main merchandising points over rival cloud storage services. We’ll speak additional regarding Google’s native workplace suite, Google Docs, and third-party programs you'll be able to integrate with Google Drive later during this article.

Two alternative crucial actions you'll be able to wrestle objects situated in My Drive embrace the flexibility “share” any folder or file, in addition because the ability to form a shareable link. 

Other choices embrace the flexibility to maneuver folders and files and take away them. Any folder or file you take away gets sent to the trash folder. you'll be able to access your trash read exploitation the navigation possibility on the left aspect, wherever you'll be able to for good delete content.

Again, this can be all just about customary fare for today’s graphical user interfaces. Google did well here by not attempting to reinvent the wheel.


At the highest of the central read, there’s additionally a computer menu that helps you to produce new folders, transfer folders, and files and build new files employing a program integrated together with your Google Drive cloud storage.

Google Drive streamlines the user expertise with a variety of keyboard shortcuts that you simply will search by clicking on the settings cog icon on the top-right aspect of the interface.


There ar more options and settings you'll be able to access and management via the Google Drive browser interface, a number of that we’ll bit on a touch later and a number of that we’ll miss. the essential thought behind the browser interface is that it provides a straightforward, friendly means that of accessing your cloud storage from any compatible browser while not having to put in any computer code.

However, to urge the foremost out of Google Drive, you’ll need to require full advantage of its set capabilities, which can need putting in Google Drive shoppers on any computers and mobile devices that you simply need to attach.

We’ll take a glance at the pc consumer for Windows, next.

Using Google Drive on Your Desktop
You can install the Google Drive consumer on your desktop by clicking on the cog icon on the top-right aspect of the Google Drive browser and choosing “download backup and set for Windows.”


“Backup and sync” is that the recently rebranded name for the consumer, following a brand new stress on Google’s call to supply some on-line backup capabilities additionally to its broader cloud storage capabilities.

Once you’ve put in the consumer, Google Drive helps you to copy any folder in your filing system by right-clicking on the folder and choosing “sync this folder.”


The word could be a bit dishonest , because it ought to most likely browse “backup this folder,” because it isn’t truly syncing it to the other devices.

The decision to incorporate backup capabilities is a motivating progress Google’s half, however at this time in time, we tend to wouldn’t suggest exploitation Google Drive to exchange your additional ancient backup service, as Google Drive is missing some key backup options like block-level transfers and also the ability to schedule backups.

More necessary is that the Google Drive folder that gets supplemental to your filing system once you put in the consumer.


This folder could be a set folder, a mechanism popularized by Dropbox in 2007 and currently employed by most major cloud storage services.

Any files you drag into your Google Drive folder stay keep on your disk drive by default however additionally get replicated within the cloud. From the cloud, these files additionally get sent to alternative devices that you’ve connected to your Google Drive cloud storage.

This simple approach to file replication helps you to edit a document on one pc and see those edits mirrored in close to period on corresponding files within the cloud and your alternative synced devices.  

While convenient, storing files on each your disk drive and within the cloud doesn’t serve the first purpose of cloud storage, that is to increase your storage capabilities on the far side that of your disk drive. If you’d wish to use Google Drive to form an area to dump all of these footage, videos, and documents absorbing area on your pc, you’ll got to close up set.

The ability to show off set and solely store files within the cloud is often referred to as selective set within the cloud storage trade. Google Drive helps you to tack selective set directly from your pc, from the “backup & sync” taskbar icon.


This icon seems like a touch cloud with associate degree up arrow targeted within it. Right-clicking on this icon provides you access to some Google Drive settings, among that is that the ability to manage selective set.

Settings may be accessed by clicking on the three-dot menu and choosing “preferences.”  


Within the preferences read, there ar 3 tabs on the left aspect. the center tab, known as “Google Drive,” helps you to flip set off for individual folders in your set folder (My Drive).


By default, these folders ar turned on. So, you’ll need to create certain you’ve created manual changes to use Google Drive to increase your computer’s file cupboard space into the cloud.

The other 2 tabs within the preferences read ar “my laptop” and “settings.” Let’s take a fast verify what they are doing whereas we’re on the topic.

“My laptop,” which could be named one thing else if you’ve created changes to what Google Drive calls your pc, has some basic however necessary controls.


Most significantly, it helps you to check and toggle what folders you’re endlessly backing abreast of your pc. you'll be able to add new files to your backup arrange by clicking on “choose the folder,” too.

Other crucial settings found in “my laptop” embrace the flexibility to line image transfer quality (you will decrease quality to avoid wasting space), associate degree choice to mechanically transfer photos to Google Photos associate degreed a choice to connect USB devices or SD cards to backup external devices sort of a camera or phone.

The last read listed within the preferences menu is “settings.”


This read helps you to upgrade or disconnect your storage and incorporates a few toggles for alternative settings. There’s additionally associate degree possibility known as “network settings” that helps you to throttle your set speeds.


That covers the most points of exploitation Google Drive on your desktop. Overall, once you recognize what it will do, the method is comparatively straightforward.

Next up, we’ll take a glance at exploitation Google Drive on your mobile device.

Using Google Drive on Your Mobile Device
Google makes smartphone apps for each golem and iOS. throughout this phase, we’ll be primarily watching the golem expertise as that looks the foremost usually used.

While smartphone laborious drives have grown up in recent years, with storage capacities of sixteen, thirty-two and 64GB currently commonplace, the quantity of knowledge we tend to capture on our smartphones has over unbroken pace.

Android users get access to the Drive app by default, however, if you’ve deleted it, it may be reinstalled by visiting the Google Play Store.


You can access your Drive storage by a gap the app. The interface is fairly intuitive, with a research bar close to the highest to search out files quickly, “quick access” read for gap recently uploaded or altered files and folder navigation for browsing your cloud contents.


There’s additionally a “plus” button you'll be able to faucet to transfer new files from your device, scan pictures and build new files exploitation Google Docs, Google Sheets and Google Slides.


Each folder and file has further menu choices, too.


These choices embrace sharing practicality, that helps you to add folks to folders or generate a link for sharing. you'll be able to additionally move and rename files, star them for importance and add them to your phone’s home screen for straightforward access.

While it shares storage with Google Drive, golem users even have access to a separate app for Google Photos.


The Photos app incorporates a search feature for locating photos quickly, otherwise, you will browse photos by date and albums. The app mechanically sends photos to the cloud, thus you don’t ought to worry regarding losing them do you have to break or misplace your phone.

To prevent photos from absorbing area on your phone, Google Photos may also mechanically delete pictures on your phone that have already been safely uploaded.


There’s even a share feature thus you'll be able to quickly send photos to friends, family, and colleagues.

Overall, the Google Drive app is one in all the simplest cloud storage mobile apps obtainable for its simple use and power. notwithstanding you finish up going with another cloud storage supplier for everyday activity, it's at the terribly least a good thanks to managing photos and files created on your phone. 

Google Drive Integrated Apps
While Google Drive will several things well, their ar several things alternative cloud storage choices do in addition or higher. That’s not the case once it involves productivity, however, and that’s due to the very fact that Google has the variety of application integrations designed to figure seamlessly together with your Drive cupboard space.

Google Docs
Google Docs is Google’s answer to Microsoft workplace. whereas its interface could take some obtaining won't to, its price exploitation for a number of totally different reasons — not the smallest amount of that is that it’s free.

Google Docs refers to the whole Google workplace suite, that somewhat bewilderingly includes a personal piece of computer code known as Google Docs. enclosed within the suite are:

Google Docs: for data processing
Google Sheets: for spreadsheets
Google Slides: for displays
Google Forms: for surveys and alternative forms
What Google Docs will extraordinarily well is sanctionative collaboration, and that’s as a result of it integrates thus well with Google Drive. each document you produce is kept within the cloud, holding you're taking advantage of Google Drive’s sharing options.

Additionally, Google Docs helps you to add close to the period with collaborators from among the document itself. you'll be able to leave comments within the margins, assign action things to others and create and counsel edits.


If you’re wont to around the other workplace suite, the essential layout of Google Docs ought to be pretty simple to fathom.

Google Drive Third-Party Apps
In addition to its native computer code, Google has opened the doors to let others produce apps that integrate with Google Drive. There are, in fact, many choices you'll be able to choose from to boost your Google Drive expertise.

True to kind, Google makes it simple to go looking for and add applications to your Drive account.

You can do this by attending to google.drive.com and clicking on the “new” button found on the top-right aspect of the browser interface.


Click “more” and “connect additional apps” to access the applying library.


You can look for specific apps or browse by classes like business tools, productivity, and amusement. fashionable choices embrace .pdf editors like DocuHub, image editors like Pixlr Editor and file converters like CloudConvert.

No alternative cloud storage service has the third-party application library of Google Drive, marking it heretofore another compelling reason to use Google Drive notwithstanding you’ve set to store the majority of your files elsewhere.

Conclusion
Google Drive has its shortcomings and, in lightweight of these, it’s removed from Cloudwards.net’s decide because of the best cloud storage answer obtainable. However, by understanding its strengths and the way to use Google Drive, there’s no reason to not keep it in your chest of cloud computer code solutions.


Hopefully, this text has helped you adapt to the essential ins and outs of Google Drive and the way to try to simply that. With 15GB of free cloud storage, wonderful collaboration options and also the ability to access your files from your desktop, smartphone and around any browser, Google Drive could be a convenient and capable means that of operating with files.

Have the other queries on the way to use Google Drive? allow us to apprehend within the comments below and we’ll try to address them. Thanks for reading.