How To Access Google Drive
What is Google Drive?
Google Drive is a file storage and synchronization service developed by Google. Launched on April 24, 2012, Google Drive allows users to store files in the cloud, synchronize files across devices, and share files.
How To Access Google Drive
With Google Drive on the web, you can view things like videos, PDFs, Microsoft Office files, audio files, and photos.
Important: If you try to open a suspicious file, you may get a warning message. Use caution if you open the file.
View a file
- Go to drive.google.com.
- Log into your Google account with your username and password.
- Learn how to recover your username or password.
- Double-click a file.
- If you open a Google Doc, Sheet, Slides presentation, Form, or Drawing, it will open using that application.
- If you open a video, PDF, Microsoft Office file, audio file, or photo, it will open in Google Drive.
Open a file using a different app
You can open a file using web apps or apps installed on your computer. To open files with apps installed on your computer, you need the most recent version of Google drive for desktop and the Application Launcher by Google.
- Go to drive.google.com.
- Log into your Google account with your username and password.
- Learn how to recover your username or password.
- Right-click a file.
- Place your cursor over Open with.
- Choose an app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are files stored on Google Drive?
All content in Drive is stored in one of these 2 defined spaces: drive and appDataFolder . drive —Includes all user-visible files created in Drive. PDFs, documents, Google Docs, shortcuts, and other content the user uploads is located in the drive space. appDataFolder —Includes per-user application data.
Where can I see all my Google Drive files?
- Click My Drive in the navigation panel to expand it and see your folders. All of the folders you’ve created appear in the navigation panel. These same folders appear on the page to the right. You can open a folder from either location.
- Double-click a folder to open it.
Can I access Google Drive from any device?
You can use your files from any device online or on the Google Drive mobile app. Synced folders display under “Computers.” If you add, edit, move, or delete items from these folders, the changes also reflect on your computer.
Does my Gmail account have Google Drive?
Every Google Account comes with 15 GB of storage that’s shared across Google Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos. When you upgrade to Google One, your total storage increases to 100 GB or more depending on what plan you choose.
How do I access my Google Account?
To sign in to your Google Account (or any Google product): Go to the sign in page of the product (for Google Accounts it is myaccount.google.com). Enter your Gmail username (everything that appears before ‘@gmail.com’). Enter your password.
What Google Drive is used for?
With Google Drive, you can store your files securely and open or edit them from any device. Files you create with Google apps open in your browser or mobile app. Other types of files in your Drive folder open in their regular applications (like Adobe Reader for PDF files).
Is Google Drive password same as Gmail?
Google Drive, like other Google services, is connected to your Google account. That means it uses the same email address, username, and password as your Gmail account, YouTube account, and more.
What is Google Drive example?
Google Drive encompasses Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Slides, which are a part of the Google Docs Editors office suite that permits collaborative editing of documents, spreadsheets, presentations, drawings, forms, and more. Files created and edited through the Google Docs suite are saved in Google Drive.
Is Google Drive free to use?
All Google Drive users receive 15 gigabytes of free storage across Gmail, Google Drive and Google Photos. However, Google Fiber residential customers on our 1 Gig plans receive an additional 1 terabyte of storage space.