Google Drive: the best cloud storage and file sharing solution - download for free
- parkerflorian
- Aug 8, 2023
- 13 min read
What Is Google Drive and Why Use It?
Google Drive is a cloud-based file storage platform that allows you to store, share, and collaborate on files from multiple devices. It's part of , a suite of productivity apps that includes Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms, and more.
With Google Drive, you can:
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Get 15 GB of free storage space for your files, photos, videos, and more. You can also upgrade to for more storage options.
Access your files from any device with an internet connection, whether it's a computer, smartphone, or tablet.
Sync your files across your devices so that they're always up to date.
Create and edit documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and forms with .
Share your files with others and collaborate in real time. You can control who can view, comment, or edit your files.
Search for files by name, content, or keywords. You can also use to filter your results by type, owner, date modified, etc.
Open and edit over 100 different file types, including PDFs, CAD files, images, and more. You don't need to install any software on your device.
Protect your files with encryption in transit and at rest. You can also restore deleted files or previous versions within 30 days.
To use Google Drive, you need a for your device.
How to Download Files and Folders From Google Drive
Sometimes you may want to download your files or folders from Google Drive to your device. This can be useful if you want to back up your data, work offline, or transfer files to another device. Here's how you can do it:
How to Download a Single File or Folder From Google Drive
To download a single file or folder from Google Drive, follow these steps:
Open Google Drive in your web browser and sign in to your account.
Locate the file or folder you want to download and right-click on it.
Select Download from the menu that appears. You can also click on the three-dot icon and choose Download.
The file or folder will be downloaded to your device's default download location. You can check the progress of the download in your browser's status bar.
How to Download Multiple Files or Folders From Google Drive
To download multiple files or folders from Google Drive, follow these steps:
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Open Google Drive in your web browser and sign in to your account.
Select the files or folders you want to download by clicking on the checkboxes next to them. You can also hold down the Ctrl key (or Command key on Mac) and click on the files or folders you want to select.
Right-click on any of the selected items and choose Download from the menu that appears. You can also click on the three-dot icon and choose Download.
The files or folders will be compressed into a ZIP file and downloaded to your device's default download location. You can check the progress of the download in your browser's status bar.
To unzip the ZIP file, locate it on your device and double-click on it. You can also use a third-party software like to extract the files or folders.
How to Download All Files or Folders From Google Drive
To download all files or folders from Google Drive, follow these steps:
Open Google Drive in your web browser and sign in to your account.
Click on the Select all checkbox at the top left corner of the page. This will select all the files and folders in your drive.
Right-click on any of the selected items and choose Download from the menu that appears. You can also click on the three-dot icon and choose Download.
The files or folders will be compressed into a ZIP file and downloaded to your device's default download location. You can check the progress of the download in your browser's status bar.
To unzip the ZIP file, locate it on your device and double-click on it. You can also use a third-party software like to extract the files or folders.
How to Download Docs, Sheets, and Slides From Google Drive
If you want to download documents, spreadsheets, or presentations that you created or edited with Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides, you can choose from different file formats, such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF, etc. To do this, follow these steps:
Open Google Drive in your web browser and sign in to your account.
Locate the file you want to download and right-click on it.
Select Download as from the menu that appears. You can also click on the three-dot icon and choose Download as.
Select the file format you want to download from the list of options. For example, if you want to download a document as a PDF file, select PDF document (.pdf).
The file will be converted to the chosen format and downloaded to your device's default download location. You can check the progress of the download in your browser's status bar.
How to Download Google Drive App for Desktop
If you want to access your Google Drive files from your desktop without opening a web browser, you can download and install Drive for desktop on your Windows or Mac computer. This will create a folder on your computer that syncs with your Google Drive online. You can also open files on your desktop with Drive for desktop and set up sync options with Drive for desktop. Here's how you can do it:
How to Download and Install Drive for Desktop on Windows or Mac
To download and install Drive for desktop on Windows or Mac, follow these steps:
Go to the and click on the Download button for your operating system.
Run the installer file that you downloaded and follow the instructions on the screen.
Sign in to your Google account when prompted. You can also choose to add another account if you have more than one.
Select a folder on your computer where you want to sync your Google Drive files. You can also change the name of the folder if you want.
Click on Start to begin syncing your files. You can check the progress of the sync in the Drive for desktop icon in your system tray or menu bar.
How to Open Files on Your Desktop With Drive for Desktop
To open files on your desktop with Drive for desktop, follow these steps:
Open the Drive for desktop folder on your computer and locate the file you want to open.
Double-click on the file to open it with the default app on your computer. You can also right-click on the file and choose Open with to select a different app.
If the file is a Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides file, it will open in your web browser with the corresponding app. You can edit the file online and it will sync with your Drive for desktop folder automatically.
If the file is a non-Google file, such as a PDF, image, or video, it will open in your computer's app. You can make changes to the file and save it. It will sync with your Drive for desktop folder automatically.
How to Set Up Sync Options With Drive for Desktop
To set up sync options with Drive for desktop, follow these steps:
Click on the Drive for desktop icon in your system tray or menu bar and select Preferences.
In the Syncing tab, you can choose from two options:
Stream files with Google Drive: This option lets you stream files from Google Drive online without taking up space on your computer. You can access your files from the Drive for desktop folder or from File Explorer or Finder. You can also choose which files or folders you want to make available offline by right-clicking on them and selecting Available offline.
Mirror files with Google Drive: This option lets you sync all or some of your files from Google Drive online to your computer. You can access your files from the Drive for desktop folder or from File Explorer or Finder. You can also choose which files or folders you want to sync by clicking on Selective sync.
In the Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides tab, you can choose how to open these files on your computer. You can either open them in your web browser with the corresponding app or in a compatible app on your computer, such as Microsoft Office.
In the Network settings tab, you can adjust the bandwidth usage of Drive for desktop. You can either let Drive for desktop use as much bandwidth as it needs or limit it to a specific amount.
In the About tab, you can check the version of Drive for desktop and update it if needed.
Click on OK to save your changes.
Google Drive Alternatives
Google Drive is one of the most popular cloud storage services in the world, but it's not the only one. Depending on your needs and preferences, you might want to consider other options that offer different features, pricing, security, and compatibility. Here are some of the most popular Google Drive alternatives and how they compare:
OneDrive
is Microsoft's cloud storage service that integrates with Windows 10 and Office 365. It offers 5 GB of free storage space and up to 6 TB of storage space with a Microsoft 365 subscription. You can also buy additional storage space separately.
The advantages of using OneDrive are:
You can access your files from any device with an internet connection, whether it's a PC, Mac, Android, iOS, or Windows Phone.
You can sync your files across your devices and access them from File Explorer or Finder.
You can create and edit documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and notes with online or offline.
You can share your files with others and collaborate in real time. You can also set permissions and expiration dates for your shared links.
You can backup your photos and videos from your mobile device to OneDrive automatically.
You can protect your files with encryption, ransomware detection, and recovery tools.
The disadvantages of using OneDrive are:
You need a to use OneDrive. If you don't have one yet, you can sign up for free.
You may encounter compatibility issues with some file types or apps that are not supported by OneDrive or Microsoft Office.
You may experience slower upload and download speeds than Google Drive, depending on your network and location.
Dropbox
is one of the oldest and most widely used cloud storage services in the world. It offers 2 GB of free storage space and up to 3 TB of storage space with a Dropbox Plus or Professional subscription. You can also earn extra storage space by referring friends or completing tasks.
The advantages of using Dropbox are:
You can access your files from any device with an internet connection, whether it's a computer, smartphone, or tablet.
You can sync your files across your devices and access them from File Explorer or Finder.
You can create and edit documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and more with , a collaborative workspace app.
You can share your files with others and collaborate in real time. You can also set passwords and expiration dates for your shared links.
You can backup your photos and videos from your mobile device to Dropbox automatically.
You can protect your files with encryption, two-factor authentication, and remote wipe features.
The disadvantages of using Dropbox are:
You need a to use Dropbox. If you don't have one yet, you can sign up for free.
You may run out of storage space quickly if you have a lot of files or large files. The free plan only offers 2 GB of storage space, which is much lower than Google Drive or OneDrive.
You may encounter compatibility issues with some file types or apps that are not supported by Dropbox or Dropbox Paper.
You may experience slower upload and download speeds than Google Drive or OneDrive, depending on your network and location.
pCloud
is a relatively new but fast-growing cloud storage service that offers 10 GB of free storage space and up to 2 TB of storage space with a pCloud Premium or Premium Plus subscription. You can also buy a lifetime plan that gives you unlimited storage space for a one-time payment.
The advantages of using pCloud are:
You can access your files from any device with an internet connection, whether it's a computer, smartphone, or tablet.
You can sync your files across your devices and access them from File Explorer or Finder.
You can create and edit documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and more with , an online office suite powered by Zoho.
You can share your files with others and collaborate in real time. You can also set passwords and expiration dates for your shared links.
You can backup your photos and videos from your mobile device to pCloud automatically.
You can protect your files with encryption, two-factor authentication, and file versioning features. You can also use , a secure folder that encrypts your files with a passphrase that only you know.
The disadvantages of using pCloud are:
You need a to use pCloud. If you don't have one yet, you can sign up for free.
You may find the pricing plans confusing or expensive, especially if you want to use pCloud Crypto or the lifetime plan.
You may encounter compatibility issues with some file types or apps that are not supported by pCloud or pCloud Office.
You may experience slower upload and download speeds than Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox, depending on your network and location.
Conclusion
Google Drive is a great cloud storage service that offers many features and benefits for file storage and sharing. However, it's not the only option available. Depending on your needs and preferences, you might want to consider other alternatives, such as OneDrive, Dropbox, or pCloud. Each of these services has its own advantages and disadvantages, so you should compare them carefully before making a decision.
Whichever cloud storage service you choose, make sure you download the files and folders you need from Google Drive to your device. This way, you can access them offline, back them up, or transfer them to another service. You can also download the Google Drive app for desktop to sync your files with your computer and open them with Drive for desktop.
We hope this article has helped you learn more about Google Drive and its alternatives. If you have any questions or feedback, please let us know in the comments below. And don't forget to share this article with your friends and family who might find it useful. Thanks for reading!
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Google Drive and its alternatives:
How much storage space does Google Drive offer?
Google Drive offers 15 GB of free storage space for your files, photos, videos, and more. You can also upgrade to Google One for more storage options, starting from 100 GB for $1.99 per month.
How secure is Google Drive?
Google Drive is secure as it encrypts your files in transit and at rest. It also offers features like two-factor authentication, password-protected links, and file recovery tools. However, you should still be careful about who you share your files with and what permissions you grant them.
How can I share files with others using Google Drive?
You can share files with others using Google Drive by creating a link or sending an email invitation. You can also control who can view, comment, or edit your files. To share a file with others using Google Drive, follow these steps:
Open Google Drive in your web browser and sign in to your account.
Locate the file you want to share and right-click on it.
Select Share from the menu that appears. You can also click on the three-dot icon and choose Share.
In the Share with people and groups window, you can either:
Type the email address of the person or group you want to share with and click on Send. You can also choose their access level from the drop-down menu next to their name.
Click on Get link and copy the link that appears. You can also choose who can access the link from the drop-down menu next to Anyone with the link.
Click on Done to close the window.
What are the best file formats to use with Google Drive?
The best file formats to use with Google Drive are those that are compatible with Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Forms. These include:
.docx, .doc, .dotx, .dot, .rtf, .odt, .html, .txt, .pdf, .jpg, .png, .gif, .svg, .bmp, .webp, .heic, and .heif for documents.
.xlsx, .xls, .xlsm, .xlt, .xltx, .ods, .csv, .tsv, .tab, and .txt for spreadsheets.
.pptx, .ppt, .pptm, .potx, .pot, .pps, .ppsx, .ppsm, and .odp for presentations.
.jpg, .png, .gif, and .bmp for images.
.mp4, .mov, .webm, and .avi for videos.
.mp3, .wav, and for audio.
for compressed files.
for Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Forms files.
These file formats can be opened and edited with Google Drive without any software installation. You can also convert other file formats to these formats using Google Drive.
How can I access my files offline with Google Drive?
You can access your files offline with Google Drive by enabling the offline mode on your device. This will allow you to view and edit your Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Forms files without an internet connection. To do this, follow these steps:
Open Google Drive in your web browser and sign in to your account.
Click on the gear icon at the top right corner of the page and select Settings.
In the Offline section, check the box next to Create, open and edit your recent Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides files on this device while offline.
Click on Done to save your changes.
To access your files offline, open the Drive for desktop folder on your computer or the Google Drive app on your mobile device. You will see a checkmark icon next to the files that are available offline.
To make a file available offline manually, right-click on it and select Available offline.
To sync your changes when you go online, make sure you have an internet connection and open Google Drive in your web browser or the Google Drive app on your mobile device.
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