Overview
Your Google Drive is a cloud storage service that allows you to store, access, and share files online. You can manage all the files in your Google Drive at drive.google.com -- Chrome browser is recommended. You can upload files, upload folders and all the files in them, download a file to your computer, delete files, find files, access specific information about a file, and many other file management tasks.
There are two components to Google Drive:
- My Drive: Files created here are accessible only to you, by default; you can manage permissions to share files form your My Drive to another person. When you leave F&M, your shared files will no longer be accessible to those you shared them with.
- Shared Drive: Set up for a team or department as the primary location for all files related to the work of that group. Anyone who is a member of that group can access and edit files.
Within Google Drive, there is a powerful Search feature and filters that can help you find the files you are looking for, even when you have limited information available. Because it is cloud-based, you can use any device to access your files after you log into your Google account. Only files related to your work or studies should be stored in your F&M Google Drive; when you leave F&M, your Google Drive and the files in it will no longer be accessible.
Jump to a topic in this knowledge article
How to
At drive.google.com you can access all of the files and folders in your Google Drive. We recommend using Chrome browser for optimal experience.
Upload a file from your computer
1. With your Google Drive open, click + New in top left corner.
2. Click File Upload and browse to the file you want to upload. Select it.
3. Click Open and the file will automatically be saved in your Drive.
Upload a folder from your computer
1. With your Google Drive open, click + New in top left corner.
2. Click Folder Upload and browse to the folder you want to upload. Select it.
3. Click Upload, and the folder, and all of its contents, will be saved in your Drive.
Download a file from Drive to your computer
1. With your Google Drive open, locate the file you want to download. Hover over it.
2. Click Download.
3. The file will save to your computer's Downloads folder.
Note: You can move the file from Downloads to another location on your computer by clicking and dragging the file in the same way you would move any other files on your computer.
Delete a file
1. With your Google Drive open, locate the file you want to delete, and hover over it.
2. Click More Actions in the far right of the screen. Click Move to Trash and your file will be deleted.
Note: By default, files are in your Trash for 30 day and then permanently deleted.
Create and manage folders
1. With your Google Drive open, click + New in top left corner.
2. Click New Folder.
3. Give your folder a name, and click Create.
4. Click and drag files and folders in your Google Drive to organize them in the same way you would in Finder or File Explorer.
Share a file
1. With your Google Drive open, locate the file you want to share, and hover over it.
2. Click Share.
3. You have a few sharing options:
- Via email - use the Add people, groups, and calendar events field.
- To share with someone at F&M, type their name and select from list that displays.
- To share outside F&M, type their email in the field.
- Set permissions: Use the drop-down (Editor, Commenter, Viewer)
- Type a message (optional). Click Send, and they will be notified they have access, along with a link to the file.
- Via link - you can copy a link to include in email, chats, etc.
- Set permissions: In the drop-down under General Access, click Anyone with the link to make this available to anyone you share with. (Restricted will allow access ONLY to people with access to the folder.)
- Click Copy Link.
- Paste the link into email, chats, etc.
Note: Anyone you share the file with will automatically see the all recent changes/updates when they access the file.
Search for a file
1. In the home section of Google Drive, use the Search in Drive field to type search terms related to the file you are looking for.
2. Use the Type, People, Modified, and Location filters to narrow your search, based on what you know about the file you are looking for.
Learn more about your file
1. With your Google Drive open, locate the file you want to learn more about, and click More Actions.
2. Note all of the options you have available from this menu.
The Help Desk
Need more help? Contact us!
- Enter a Service Request here on this page to route your request to the right expert.
- Call the Help Desk at 717-358-6789.
- Stop by and see us in Martin Science Library.