Google Drive gives you 15 GB of FREE cloud data for storage or backup
Google Drive includes 15GB of FREE cloud backup or data storage. If you need more storage you can purchase from Google here. Apple iCloud Drive gives 5GB Free storgae and more can be purchased also. But if you have an Office 365 Account you get 1TB (1,000 GB) for FREE if you have an Office 365 Personal, Office 365 Home or 365 Business.
However, if you wish to use Google Drive
First download and install Google Drive to your PC (or Mac) by searching on “Download google drive for PC” (or Mac)
Click on “Accept and Install” and the download should begin. In some browsers you may have to double click the downloaded file while in other browsers the installation will start immediately.
Confirm the installation and click “Close”
Click on “Sign in Now”
You will now be prompted to sign-into an existing Google Account or Create a new One.
We chose to create a new account.
Once created or you sign into an existing account you are taken through the setup steps (Part 1)
You will see the Google Drive symbol appear in the bottom right of your screen, every time it shimmers, it is syncing
Click on the Google Drive symbol to see the status of the drive including how much storage space you have left
In explorer or file finder you will now see an item called “Google Drive” …. try dragging some items from “My Documents” into Google Drive folder. You will see the Google drive symbol in bottom right corner flash and say “Syncing 1 of x, 2 of x etc.. and finally Sync Complete. Click on the icon and show the google drive menu and click on “Visit Google Drive on the web”
You will now see those same items in the cloud which are also in your Google Drive folder on your PC. Modify any item in the cloud or on your PC and it will automatically update in the other location.
To ensure all your current and future documents get saved and backed up to the google cloud do the following:
1) “Move” the entire contents of “My Documents” , “My Pictures” and anything else you wish to backup to the cloud… move them to the “Google Drive” folder. You may want to create new folders within the Google Drive folder.
2) Open the products you regularly use such as “Word” and Excel and change the default file location to Google drive or one of the folders within Google Drive. Then in the future all new documents or spreadsheets will be automatically created in the Google Drive and synced to the cloud.
If 15GB is not enough for your needs, you can purchase more.
https://drive.google.com/settings/storage
At the time of writing, purchases can be made for 100GB, 1TB, 2TB, 10TB, 20TB, 30TB of cloud storage starting at $2.49 per month.
Backing up your Phone or Tablet using Google Drive
You can also use your FREE or Paid Google Drive data allowance for backing up a phone or tablet.
- How Google Photos works with Google Drive
- Back up iPhone data with Google Drive
- Save, edit & share Microsoft Office files
- Use Google Drive with Yahoo Mail
- Manage your maps in Google Drive
- Manage & restore your device backups in Google Drive
Google Drive works completely cross-platform on Android Phones and Tablets, Apple phones and computer and Windows Computers.
Need more help?
Covid-19 Update: Business as usual for workshop repairs, remote support and onsite support.
If you live in Western Australia, and you need any kind of computer help, please bring your computer to us at 315 Rokeby Road, Subiaco, Western Australia or call us out. You can email us at helpdesk@itguyswa.com.au or call:
For instant remote control sessions, follow the instructions found on this page