Google Drive—A Convenient Storage for All Your Files

Keeping files and taking them anywhere besides the office can be a pain. You would have to cart external storage devices that might be lost or broken. Luckily innovations like cloud storage are now available. Google Drive is probably one of the best online file managers out there, nowadays. It allows you to sync and upload files from your desktop and access them from another device. 

Backup and Sync Files

As with other cloud storage services such as Dropbox and OneDrive, Google Drive allows you to backup and sync all your files—media and document—from your computer’s folder, SD cards, and USB to the cloud. However, Google Drive does not only end with syncing your files from your computer to the Drive. It also lets you sync folder you have in the Drive to your computer so you can access them even when you are offline. You can even download and sync your My Drive folder on Google Drive so you can choose a specific folder. 

Moreover, this recent update keeps a neat way to organize your synced files. Google Drive comes with a new Computers tab which organizes the folders you chose to backup according to the computer in which you have them synced. 

But, while it’s a convenient way for you to keep your important files safe, users must know that Google Drive is not a restore tool. It cannot, in any way, restore your OS when your computer crashes. 

More than Syncing Files

Google Drive is amazing enough with its expansive backup and sync features. But what it makes more impressive is its other features that move well beyond simple online storage services. It comes integrated with Google Docs office suite, a browser-based tool which includes a word processor, a spreadsheet, and presentation software.  

With the Google Docs, users can now create progress reports, client presentations and even draft letters and memos without the need to use computer storage. The suit is free to use, adding an edge against its direct competition, the Microsoft Office. 

But what is noteworthy about this feature is that you can share these files with your contacts. Once you provide them access to certain documents, you can collaborate in near real-time with options to adding suggested edits and comments. All changes are automatically saved in the Drive, and you can view the revisions made using the History options. You can even roll back to the previous file version if the revisions do not suit you. 

However, while this feature may be convenient, it may pose a threat when it comes to your files’ security. There are no passwords needed for file sharing, and there is no private encryption option. 

Thoughts on Google Drive

Google Drive is a nice tool app to use especially if you do not know how to get around cloud storage apps. The software is pretty straightforward and simple. Once installed, all you have to do is log in, choose the folders you want to sync, and let Google do the rest. This app can back up almost anything and everything. Of course, once you started, you might eat up your 15GB free space. Google Drive requires payment for additional storage.  

The new Google Drive replaces the previous Drive and Photos desktop apps. The new app download page now directs here.