Using Google Drive as a cloud-based storage solution lets you save and access files online at any time, anywhere from any smartphone, tablet or computer. You can use it on your computer or phone to download and edit files securely online, It also makes it easier for others to edit and collaborate on files.
If you have a Google Account, You already have 15GB of free storage space on Google Drive, And its use has many advantages, Such as easy file sharing and a remote location to back up your files.
This article deals with the basics, Starting with how to use Google Drive to download and access files on any device, to some tips and tricks about it.
Or not: How Google Drive Works
When you use Google Drive, you can download and save different file types (documents, photos, audio, and video) on Google or cloud servers.
Google Drive can be used as a backup solution, Or as a way to empty space on your device.
Most users are attracted to Google documents, spreadsheets, presentations, etc. because it doesn’t just allow you to create and edit documents, It also comes with easy-to-use tools that allow real-time cooperation.
Google Drive Features
Use Google Drive with all Google-supported apps. Here are some of its key features: You can always pay for more space, And upgrade to Google Account. • File sharing: Files are private until you share, But you can invite others to view, edit, or download files and documents at any time. • Access files from anywhere: You can access files from any smartphone, tablet or computer, It’s also offline. Comprehensive research: Drive can recognize images and even text in scanned documents, This makes it easier to find files.
• Safe storage: Drive files are protected by AES256 or AES128 encryption, It is the same security protocols used in other Google services.
Secondly: How to use Google Drive
Firstly: Access to your Google Account
1. When using Google Drive, You need to create a Google Account (if you don’t already have an account), Which gives you access to Google Drive and other Google services such as Gmail, Google Calendar, and Google Photos.
2. After registering an account (or signing in to an existing account), You can access Google Drive in your browser by visiting drive.google.com this will take you to drive’s web interface, Which is intuitive and easy to browse.
3. When you start to understand all the things you can do with Google Drive, You may first want to understand how files are uploaded, created, managed and shared.
Secondly: Download and create files
1- You can drag and drop files in Drive, Or create new files.
2- To access files on Google Drive, You need to download them. You can download files from your web client in two ways, They’re both live.
The first method is simpler than the two and includes dragging files or folders and dropping them from the desktop in the browser window.
The second method is to click the “New” button in the top left corner of the screen and select “Download a file” or “Download a folder.”
3- You can use the “New” button to create new files, documents, spreadsheets, or presentations according to your needs, Just click the app from the drop-down menu and all new files will be saved automatically and accessible from Drive.
Thirdly: Manage and organize files and folders when using Google Drive
Creating folders is an easy way to organize your files, Once you have enough files to organize, As you do on the desktop, The easiest way to manage Drive is to create folders.
1- To create a new folder on the web interface, Go to Drive and click New, Then Folder.
2. After naming the folder, You’ll be able to drag and drop files in the folder, Which can be found within My Files in the left part of the screen.
3. If you no longer need a file and want to keep your Drive order, The easiest way to delete a file is to right-click on the file, A context list will appear, Or select Delete, Or you can select the file you want to delete, Then click the trash code in the top right corner of the screen.
Fourthly: Share files and folders when using Google Drive
1- To share a Google Drive file or folder, Right-click it to show the context list and click Share.
2. You’ll be able to add collaborators using their email addresses and determine whether people can edit, comment on, or view the file only.
Note: Any file created by multiple people can be optionally edited at the same time, This means you’ll be able to collaborate with others in real time.
How to access Google Drive
Firstly: On the desktop
Backup and sync allows you to sync your local files with Google Drive.
If you prefer to work on your desktop instead of a web browser, Backup & Sync is an app for Macs and PC that makes it easy to back up your files to Google Drive.
Secondly: On the mobile phone
The Google Drive mobile app lets you access your files anywhere, IOS and Android mobile devices are essential for anyone who wants instant access to their files from anywhere.
Google Drive Tips and Tricks
Using Google Drive includes Google Drive with many intuitive features and tools, Here are some first-time tips you should know:
Google Drive Gmail: If Gmail is your primary email customer, It provides full integration with Google Drive when you create messages, You can attach Google Drive files by clicking the Google Drive icon in the toolbar at the bottom of the screen.
Gmail makes it easier to save attachments in Drive by scrolling over an attachment, You can choose to download or save the file in Drive, Just click the Google Drive icon and select the folder.
Using Google Drive allows access to files offline: Drive lets you view and edit files offline, You can download files or folders directly to your computer to access them offline, Offline mode allows you to view and edit Google Docs and Sheets data and presentations, Any changes will be automatically synchronized when the connection is available again.
Using Google Drive allows files to be converted to Google Drive format: If you plan to edit files in Google Drive, You need to convert them to Google Drive format so you can easily share files with others and unlock tools to collaborate with others in real time.
The following files can be converted to google Drive format: text documents (.doc, .docx, .html, .txt, .rtf, .pdf)
Spreadsheets (.xls, .xlsx, .ods, .csv)
Presentations (.ppt, .pps, .pptx)
to convert a file to a Google Drive format, Just right-click on the file, And select open using, Click the proposed application.