Adding your Google Drive as a network location in Windows File Explorer provides easy access to all your cloud files without having to open a web browser. This convenient setup allows you to manage Google Drive files similarly to local files on your computer.
Table of Contents
Prerequisites
To add Google Drive as a network location in File Explorer, you will need:
- A Google account
- Google Drive desktop app installed on your Windows computer
- Windows 10 or later
Step 1: Install Google Drive Desktop App
The first step is to download and install the Google Drive desktop app on your Windows computer:
- Go to drive.google.com/download in your web browser.
- Click on Download Drive for Desktop.
- Run the GoogleDriveSetup.exe installer file once downloaded.
- Follow the setup wizard prompts to install the Google Drive app.
The desktop app creates a virtual Google Drive disk on your computer that syncs your cloud content.
Step 2: Add Google Account to App
Once installed, open the Google Drive desktop app and add your Google account:
- Click on Sign in with browser.
- Sign in with your Google account credentials when prompted in the web browser.
- Allow access permissions to sync your Google Drive content.
The app will start syncing all the files and folders from your Google Drive once added.
Step 3: Locate Google Drive in File Explorer
After connecting your Google account, a new network location called Google Drive will appear in File Explorer.
You can access it easily in a few ways:
- Open File Explorer and look under This PC. Google Drive will be listed with a drive letter like (G:).
- Go to Quick access in File Explorer and pin Google Drive for quick navigation.
- Double click the Google Drive desktop app icon on your desktop to directly open the drive location.
Step 4: Manage Cloud Content in File Explorer
With Google Drive now integrated into File Explorer, you can:
- Seamlessly access all synced cloud files without an internet browser.
- Open, edit, move, copy, or delete Drive files like local files. Changes sync across devices.
- Drag-and-drop to upload new files and folders from your computer to Google Drive.
- Right-click files and enable Available offline to access them without an internet connection.
- Stream files directly from the cloud or choose to mirror content locally for quick access.
So with just a few steps, you can add your Google Drive as a network location in Windows File Explorer for easy cloud file management directly from your computer!
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions about adding Google Drive to File Explorer:
Q: Is the Google Drive desktop app free?
A: Yes, the desktop app is free to download and use with a Google account.
Q: Can I access Google Drive files offline after adding to File Explorer?
A: Yes, you can right-click files and folders and select Available offline to sync content locally for offline access.
Q: Does adding Google Drive take up storage space on my computer?
A: It depends. By default, the app streams files which takes minimal disk space. But you can choose to mirror files locally which will take up storage space.
Q: What happens if I delete Google Drive files from my computer?
A: Any files deleted from File Explorer will also be deleted from your Google Drive storage and other synced devices. Files are kept in sync when connecting Google Drive to File Explorer.
Q: How do I remove Google Drive access from File Explorer?
A: Simply right-click on Google Drive, select Disconnect network drive, and sign out of the desktop app to remove access.
Conclusion
Adding your Google Drive as a network location in File Explorer provides a simple yet powerful way to directly manage cloud files right from your computer. With the desktop app handling all the syncing, you get up-to-date access to your Drive content without having to go through a web browser.
So if you extensively use Google Drive for file storage and collaboration, integrate it into your File Explorer for a streamlined workflow across devices.