Google Drive Download for PC: How to Get Started
Google Drive is one of the most popular cloud storage services in the world, with over 2 billion monthly active users. It allows you to store, share, and collaborate on files from any device, including your PC. But how do you download and install Google Drive for PC? And how do you use it to sync and access your files, work on Microsoft Office files, and share files with others? In this article, we will answer these questions and more. We will also look at some of the best Google Drive alternatives for PC users who want more security, privacy, or features.
What Is Google Drive and Why Use It?
Google Drive is a cloud-based file storage platform that lets you store up to 15 GB of files for free. You can also upgrade to Google One for more storage space, starting from $1.99 per month for 100 GB. Google Drive works on all major platforms, including Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and web browsers. You can access your files from any device, as long as you have an internet connection.
google drive download for pc
Google Drive Features and Benefits
Google Drive offers many features and benefits that make it a great choice for cloud storage. Some of them are:
Gmail integration: You can save your email attachments to Google Drive directly from Gmail. You can also send files from Google Drive as attachments or links.
Easy photo sharing and storage: You can store your photos in Google Drive and see them come to life with Google Photos. You can also create albums, animations, movies, and more.
New apps and tools: You can use Google Drive to create and edit documents, spreadsheets, presentations, forms, drawings, and more with Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms, and Drawings. You can also use third-party apps that integrate with Google Drive, such as Adobe Acrobat Reader, DocuSign, Evernote, Slack, Trello, and more.
Powerful search: You can search for your files by name, type, content, or keyword. Google Drive can also recognize objects in your images and text in scanned documents.
Sharing and collaboration: You can share your files and folders with anyone you choose. You can also invite others to view, comment, or edit your files. You can collaborate in real time with others on Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms, or Drawings.
File syncing: You can sync your files across your devices using the Drive for desktop app. Any changes you make on one device will be reflected on the others.
Offline access: You can save your files and folders for offline use using the Drive for desktop app or the Google Docs offline extension. You can access them even when you don't have an internet connection.
Security and reliability: Your files are encrypted in transit and at rest using SSL encryption. You can also set up two-factor authentication for extra security. Google Drive has a 99.9% uptime guarantee and backs up your data regularly.
Google Drive Pricing and Plans Google Drive Pricing and Plans
Google Drive offers a free plan that gives you 15 GB of storage space for your files, photos, and Gmail messages. You can use this space to store any type of file, including documents, images, videos, audio, and more. However, if you need more space, you can upgrade to Google One, which is a subscription service that gives you more storage and other benefits. Here are the Google One plans and prices:
Plan
Storage
Price
Benefits
Free
15 GB
$0
- Access to Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms, and Drawings- Gmail integration- Photo storage and sharing with Google Photos- New apps and tools- Powerful search- Sharing and collaboration- File syncing- Offline access- Security and reliability
100 GB
100 GB
$1.99/month or $19.99/year
All of the above, plus:- Access to Google experts for support- Option to add family members to your plan- Extra member benefits, such as discounts on Google products and services
200 GB
200 GB
$2.99/month or $29.99/year
All of the above, plus:- 3% back in Google Store credit on eligible purchases
2 TB
2 TB
$9.99/month or $99.99/year
All of the above, plus:- 10% back in Google Store credit on eligible purchases- VPN for Android phones (coming soon)
10 TB
10 TB
$49.99/month
All of the above.
20 TB
20 TB
$99.99/month
All of the above.
30 TB
30 TB
$149.99/monthAll of the above.You can choose the plan that suits your needs and budget. You can also change or cancel your plan at any time. To sign up for Google One, you can visit the .
How to Download and Install Google Drive for PC How to Download and Install Google Drive for PC
If you want to use Google Drive on your PC, you need to download and install the Drive for desktop app. This app lets you sync your files and folders with Google Drive and Google Photos, access them from your PC, and save them for offline use. Here are the steps to download and install Google Drive for PC:
Download Drive for Desktop
To download the Drive for desktop app, you need to visit the . There, you will see two options: Backup and Sync and Drive for desktop. Backup and Sync is the older version of the app that is being replaced by Drive for desktop. Drive for desktop is the newer version that offers more features and performance. We recommend using Drive for desktop, unless you have a specific reason to use Backup and Sync.
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To download Drive for desktop, click on the Download button under the Drive for desktop option. You will see a pop-up window asking you to agree to the Google Terms of Service. Click on Agree and Download to proceed. The app will start downloading to your PC.
Set Up Drive for Desktop
Once the app is downloaded, you need to run the installer file to set up Drive for desktop on your PC. The installer file will have a name like googledrivesync.exe or googledrivesetup.exe. Double-click on the file to launch the installation wizard. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation process.
After the installation is done, you will see a welcome screen asking you to sign in to your Google account. Enter your email address and password, and click on Next. You will then see a screen asking you to choose what folders you want to sync with Google Drive or Google Photos. You can select or deselect any folders you want, or click on Choose Folder to add a custom folder. You can also change the location of your Google Drive folder on your PC by clicking on Change.
Once you have selected your folders, click on Start to begin syncing. You will see a confirmation message saying that Drive for desktop is ready. Click on Got It to close the message.
Use Drive for Desktop
Now that you have set up Drive for desktop, you can start using it to sync and access your files with Google Drive. You will see a Google Drive icon in your system tray or menu bar. You can click on this icon to open the Drive for desktop app, where you can see your synced files and folders, manage your settings, pause or resume syncing, view your storage usage, and more.
You can also access your Google Drive folder from your File Explorer or Finder. You will see a Google Drive folder under Quick Access or Favorites. You can open this folder to see your synced files and folders, as well as a shortcut to Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms, and Drawings. How to Sync and Access Your Files with Google Drive for PC
One of the main benefits of using Google Drive for PC is that you can sync and access your files from any device, even when you are offline. Here are some of the ways you can sync and access your files with Google Drive for PC:
Sync Folders with Google Drive or Google Photos
You can sync any folders on your PC with Google Drive or Google Photos using the Drive for desktop app. This way, you can back up your files to the cloud and access them from any device. To sync a folder with Google Drive or Google Photos, follow these steps:
Open the Drive for desktop app from your system tray or menu bar.
Click on the Settings icon (three dots) and select Preferences.
Click on Sync options and then click on Choose folders.
Select the folders you want to sync with Google Drive or Google Photos. You can also click on Add folder to add a custom folder.
Click on OK to save your changes.
The selected folders will start syncing with Google Drive or Google Photos. You can see the sync status of each folder by hovering over the folder icon in the Drive for desktop app. You can also pause or resume syncing at any time by clicking on the Pause or Resume button in the app.
Open Files Stored on the Cloud Directly on Your PC
You can open any files stored on Google Drive directly on your PC using the Drive for desktop app. This way, you don't have to download the files to your PC first, saving time and space. To open a file stored on Google Drive directly on your PC, follow these steps:
Open the File Explorer or Finder and navigate to your Google Drive folder.
Double-click on the file you want to open. The file will open in its default app on your PC.
You can edit, save, or close the file as usual. Any changes you make will be synced with Google Drive automatically.
Note: You need to have an internet connection to open files stored on Google Drive directly on your PC. If you don't have an internet connection, you can save the files for offline use instead.
Save Files and Folders for Offline Use
You can save any files and folders stored on Google Drive for offline use using the Drive for desktop app. This way, you can access them even when you don't have an internet connection. To save a file or folder for offline use, follow these steps:
Open the File Explorer or Finder and navigate to your Google Drive folder.
Right-click on the file or folder you want to save for offline use and select Available offline.
The file or folder will be marked with a checkmark icon, indicating that it is available offline.
You can now access the file or folder even when you are offline. You can edit, save, or close the file as usual. Any changes you make will be synced with Google Drive when you go online again.
How to Collaborate and Share Files with Google Drive for PC
Another benefit of using Google Drive for PC is that you can collaborate and share files with others easily. Here are some of the ways you can collaborate and share files with Google Drive for PC:
Work on Microsoft Office Files in Real Time
You can work on Microsoft Office files in real time with others using Google Drive for PC. This way, you don't have to convert the files to Google Docs format first, saving time and preserving formatting. To work on Microsoft Office files in real time with others, follow these steps:
Open the File Explorer or Finder and navigate to your Google Drive folder.
Double-click on the Microsoft Office file you want to work on. The file will open in its default app on your PC.
You will see a banner at the top of the file saying that it is being edited in real time by others using Google Workspace apps. You will also see their names and cursors in the file.
You can edit, save, or close the file as usual. Any changes you make will be synced with Google Drive and visible to others in real time.
Note: You need to have an internet connection and a valid Microsoft Office license to work on Microsoft Office files in real time with others using Google Drive for PC.
Share Files and Folders with Others
You can share any files and folders stored on Google Drive with others using the Drive for desktop app. This way, you can let others view, comment, or edit your files. You can also manage the file permissions and access levels. To share a file or folder with others using the Drive for desktop app, follow these steps:
Open the File Explorer or Finder and navigate to your Google Drive folder.
Right-click on the file or folder you want to share and select Share.
You will see a pop-up window where you can enter the email addresses or names of the people you want to share with. You can also copy and paste a link to the file or folder.
You can also choose the access level for each person or link. You can choose between Viewer, Commenter, or Editor. You can also click on Advanced to see more options, such as disabling download, print, and copy, setting an expiration date, or transferring ownership.
Click on Done to share the file or folder.
The people you share with will receive an email notification with a link to the file or folder. They can also see the file or folder in their Shared with me section in Google Drive.
Manage File Permissions and Access Levels
You can manage the file permissions and access levels for any files and folders you share with others using Google Drive for PC. This way, you can control who can view, comment, or edit your files. You can also revoke access, change access levels, or transfer ownership. To manage file permissions and access levels using the Drive for desktop app, follow these steps:
Open the File Explorer or Finder and navigate to your Google Drive folder.
Right-click on the file or folder you want to manage and select Share.
You will see a pop-up window where you can see the list of people and links you have shared with. You can also see their access levels.
To change the access level for a person or link, click on the drop-down menu next to their name or link and select Viewer, Commenter, or Editor.
To revoke access for a person or link, click on the X icon next to their name or link.
To transfer ownership of a file or folder, click on Advanced and then click on Change next to Owner. Enter the email address of the new owner and click on Save changes.
Click on Done to save your changes.
The people you share with will receive an email notification with any changes you make to the file permissions and access levels. They can also see the changes in their Google Drive.
Google Drive Alternatives for PC Users
Google Drive is a great cloud storage service for PC users, but it is not the only one. There are many other cloud storage services that offer similar or better features, security, privacy, or pricing. Here are some of the best Google Drive alternatives for PC users:
Sync.com
Sync.com is a cloud storage service that offers end-to-end encryption, zero-knowledge privacy, and fast syncing. It lets you store up to 5 GB of files for free. You can also upgrade to Pro plans for more storage space, starting from $8 per month for 2 TB. Sync.com works on Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and web browsers. You can access your files from any device, as long as you have an internet connection.
pCloud
pCloud is a cloud storage service that offers high security, reliability, and speed. It lets you store up to 10 GB of files for free. You can also upgrade to Premium plans for more storage space, starting from $4.99 per month for 500 GB. pCloud works on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, and web browsers. You can access your files from any device, even when you are offline.
Icedrive
Icedrive is a cloud storage service that offers sleek design, intuitive interface, and advanced features. It lets you store up to 10 GB of files for free. You can also upgrade to Pro plans for more storage space, starting from $1.67 per month for 150 GB. Icedrive works on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, and web browsers. You can access your files from any device, as long as you have an internet connection.
Conclusion
Google Drive is a powerful and versatile cloud storage service that lets you store, sync, access, share, and collaborate on files from your PC. It offers many features and benefits that make it a great choice for cloud storage. However, it is not the only option available. There are many other cloud storage services that offer similar or better features, security, privacy, or pricing. You can choose the one that suits your needs and preferences best.
FAQs
Here are some of the frequently asked questions about Google Drive for PC:
How much storage space do I get with Google Drive for PC?You get 15 GB of storage space for free with Google Drive for PC. You can also upgrade to Google One for more storage space, starting from $1.99 per month for 100 GB.
How do I download and install Google Drive for PC?You need to download and install the Drive for desktop app from the Google Drive download page. You can then sign in to your Google account and choose what folders you want to sync with Google Drive or Google Photos.
How do I sync and access my files with Google Drive for PC?You can sync any folders on your PC with Google Drive or Google Photos using the Drive for desktop app. You can also open any files stored on Google Drive directly on your PC using the app. You can also save any files or folders for offline use using the app.
How do I collaborate and share files with Google Drive for PC?You can collaborate and share files with others using Google Drive for PC. You can work on Microsoft Office files in real time with others using the Drive for desktop app. You can also share any files or folders with others using the app. You can also manage the file permissions and access levels using the app.
What are some of the best Google Drive alternatives for PC users?Some of the best Google Drive alternatives for PC users are Sync.com, pCloud, and Icedrive. They offer similar or better features, security, privacy, or pricing than Google Drive.
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