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Google Drive is a cloud file service: you can store and organize files online, open them on supported devices, and share them with people you choose. A personal Google Account includes up to 15 GB shared across Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos—not 15 GB for each service. For work or school, shared drives can make files belong to a team instead of an individual.
What is Google Drive?
Google Drive is an online place to store, organize, find, and share files through a Google Account. You can upload files, create Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides, arrange items in folders, and search your content. Sharing permissions determine who can view or work on a file.
Google says Drive content is private unless you choose to share it. Its privacy information also says Drive content is encrypted in transit and at rest, and that Google processes content for functions such as search, spam filtering, and malware protection. Google says it does not use content in Drive for advertising. These statements do not replace careful permission choices, account security, or workplace policies. Google’s explanation of Drive privacy and control.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsHow does Google Drive work?
- Sign in: Use a Google Account to access Drive.
- Add or create files: Upload files from a device or create Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides.
- Organize and find items: Use folders and search to manage your Drive.
- Choose who can access a file: Share it with specific people or otherwise set access through the available sharing controls. The permissions you choose determine what others can do.
- Open files on other devices: Access cloud-stored items while signed in, or configure offline access where supported and needed.
Drive is the cloud file space; a computer’s local copy is a separate consideration. With Drive for desktop, you can stream files to save local disk space or mirror them as full copies on the computer.
#1 Best Overall
- Easily store and access 2TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
How much storage do I get?
Google’s current help guidance says a personal Google Account has up to 15 GB shared across Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos. The storage is not a separate 15 GB allowance for each service. Work or school accounts can have different storage arrangements, so check with the account administrator rather than assuming the personal allowance applies. Google’s account storage guidance.
Google says that when an account reaches its storage limit, the effects can extend beyond Drive: Drive uploads or file creation may be blocked, Gmail may not send or receive messages, and Google Photos backups may stop. Google One is Google’s option for adding personal storage where available. Plan pricing and availability vary, so check Google’s current storage information for your country and account.
Rank #2
- Easily store and access 5TB of content on the go with the Seagate portable drive, a USB external hard Drive
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Do files shared with me use my storage space?
Usually, a file someone shares with you uses the owner’s storage, not yours. The quota can change when you make a copy, add your own files to another person’s shared folder, or become the owner of files. Google’s storage guidance describes these cases; check it if a particular item appears to affect your account’s available space. Google’s account storage guidance and Google’s guidance on shared files and storage.
My Drive vs. shared drives: who owns the files?
| Detail | My Drive | Shared drives |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership | Files are owned by an individual. | Files belong to the team, not a particular member. |
| Who can use it | Google Account users, subject to account features and sharing permissions. | Work or school accounts; availability can depend on the organization’s account and administrator settings. |
| Access control | The owner manages sharing permissions. | Membership and roles govern actions such as viewing, commenting, editing, uploading, moving, deleting, or managing members. |
| When a person leaves | Ownership and access may need to be handled by the owner or organization. | Files remain with the team, subject to organizational access and policy. |
Google Drive Help summarizes shared-drive ownership this way: “Members of a shared drive share ownership of any files and folders.” Google’s guide to storing and sharing files with shared drives.
Rank #3
- Easily store and access 1TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive.Specific uses: Personal
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop. Reformatting may be required for Mac
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Streaming vs. mirroring in Drive for desktop
| Mode | Where full files are kept | Local disk use | Offline access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Streaming | Primarily in the cloud; local storage is used for work and cached or recent files. | Typically lower. | Make files available offline when you need them without an internet connection. |
| Mirroring | In the cloud and as full copies on the computer. | Uses local disk space. | Mirrored files are available offline. |
Changes made to streamed or mirrored files sync across devices. Google says shared drives can only be streamed in Drive for desktop. Google’s guide to streaming and mirroring files.
Choose streaming when conserving computer storage matters and you can rely on an internet connection for files you have not made available offline. Choose mirroring when you want full local copies and have enough disk space for them. A portable external drive is an optional way to provide more local disk capacity for a large mirrored collection; it does not increase your Google Account’s cloud storage.
Rank #4
- Easily store and access 4TB of content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive.Specific uses: Personal
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Can I use Google Drive offline?
Yes, but offline access needs setup and uses storage on the device. Google says offline mode can let you view and edit Docs, Sheets, and Slides without an internet connection; changes sync when connectivity returns. For other files in Drive for desktop, streaming requires making needed files available offline, while mirrored files are already stored locally. Google’s guidance on using Drive files offline and Google’s guide to streaming and mirroring.
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Best Value
- Plug-and-play expandability
- SuperSpeed USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps)
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
