Login to Google Cloud. Comparison of cloud storage services

Hi all! Google Drive is free cloud storage plus a suite of office applications. How can you benefit from access to these features and how to use Google Drive?

Among many similar products, Google Drive cloud storage has a significant advantage, namely its close integration with Google services.

What does this mean? The Android operating system is owned by Google and more than 80% of all mobile devices run on this platform. The Google Chrome browser today has achieved undisputed leadership among the best Internet browsers. Google Corporation is a de facto global monopolist of Internet search, possessing colossal resources for advanced development - Google's innovative developments appear earlier than those of competing organizations.

To make it easier and more convenient to understand Google Drive, how to use it , It makes sense to start at the beginning and go through all the basic steps.

Getting started with Google Drive

If you do not yet have the Google Chrome browser installed on your computer, then you need to make up for the omission, since it is with the help of this browser that it is most convenient to master the Google Drive cloud storage and get the most direct access to all the endless possibilities of Google services.

At the next stage, you will be asked to download and install Google Drive on your computer.

A little warning is needed here. If you do not have a particularly powerful computer, it is better to use Google Drive using the web interface in the browser, since the Google Drive application consumes quite a lot of hardware resources and the system will slow down during the synchronization process.

Since Google Drive cloud storage allows you to use all files stored on the server from any device, at the same time do not forget to install Google Drive on all your smartphones, tablets, laptops and all-in-one PCs.

Don't worry, Google Drive apps are designed for all platforms, both mobile and desktop.

Features of using Google Drive

• Work on text documents, tables and presentations, slide shows from any computer.
• Collaborate on documents remotely. To do this, you need to find Access in Settings and specify who and to what extent is allowed to read, edit or comment on documents.
• You can publish any file on the Internet for free access to all users. This can be useful, for example, when you don't want to waste internet traffic sending large video files to other users. Google Disk allows you to simply email a link to download a file - and let the recipient pay for the Internet.

It should be mentioned that after modernization two Google service Drive and Google Docs have been merged and now it makes no difference which application you run - the capabilities will be the same. You can instantly switch from any application to any other.

Features of Google Drive synchronization

After connecting and installing Google Drive on your desktop computer, some changes will occur in the system.

• The Drive folder will appear in Windows Explorer. Any files you place there will automatically sync with your cloud storage. Using the context menu, you can send any file from other folders on your hard drive to the cloud.
• New shortcuts to office applications included in the Google Docs package and a shortcut to the Application Launcher will appear on the Desktop. Using these shortcuts, you can launch a text editor or other programs directly from the Desktop and start working right away.

A Google Drive icon will appear in the system tray; clicking on it will give you access to the Settings Menu. In particular, from there you can configure the synchronization order. Specify which files should be synchronized and which should not be synchronized. Set the number of simultaneously downloaded files and upload speed.

In general, there is absolutely no need to worry about how to sync Google Drive with your computer. , after all, all these processes are automated and come by default. As an option - with a slow computer, so as not to wait long time synchronizing files from the Drive folder, you can upload documents and videos, photos through the browser.

If you are going to use Google Drive as a network drive on your smartphone or tablet, you must install the mobile application and sign in using your Google account. If you want to work with texts, then you need to download and install the Google Docs mobile application. The difference with desktops here is that each application for working with texts, tables, and presentations on tablets must be installed separately. This is done to save local memory, which is limited on mobile devices.

You can connect Google Drive in the mobile File Manager and to upload to the cloud, you just need to copy the selected files to the Google Drive folder.

Another question is how to access Google Drive from someone else’s computer? To do this, enter the address in your browser drive.google.com and log in using your Gmail address and password. On mobile device You won’t be able to access Drive online; you will be redirected to the application download page every time. You will have to install mobile Google Drive or one of the office applications.

That's all for me. See you soon!

Best regards, Evgeniy Kuzmenko.

Most users, unfortunately, still have not been able to resolve the issue of proper file storage, in particular, ensuring their security. Most of the largest services have long offered cloud storage that can ensure the safety of your files even as a result of unforeseen circumstances (breakdown, hacking or loss of your computer). This article will discuss the cloud service offered by Google.

Development largest company received a rather simple name - Google Drive. The service is quite interesting, so it’s worth taking a closer look at it. Google allows you to store up to 5 GB of files for free, as well as upload files up to 10 GB in size (of course, in the paid version).

Key features of Google Drive

1. Creating files. The program allows you to create files, for example, pdf format, various text files and presentations. And besides this, the service allows you to jointly edit files with your friends and colleagues who have a Google account.
2. Provide access to files from various devices. Files located in Google Drive can be viewed both from a computer and from a tablet or smartphone, provided that you can connect to the Internet.
3. Ability to recognize scanned pages or photographs with text and convert written text into speech.

For heavy users of cloud storage, the free capacity may not be enough, so you can expand your storage space with a monthly subscription fee.

How to use Google Drive

In order to start using the cloud from Google, you need to have a Google email account. If this is not available, you need to go to the official Google page and go through the simple registration steps.

Now log in under your account and click at the very top of the web page the icon with the image of tiles and select “Disk”.

We will be redirected to another page where we will be asked to download the Google Drive program. In addition, you can find a link to download this program for Windows at the end of the article.


By clicking on the “Download Drive” button, the download of the program installer will begin.


Once the download is complete, run the installer and agree to the warning. The program will begin downloading from the network, followed by its installation.

After the installation is complete, a welcome window will open in front of you. By clicking the “Next” button, you will need to log in with your Google account.


It will start next short course on the main features of the program. After viewing the course, click the “Done” button.

Next, the Google Drive folder and an Explorer window will open. On the right side of Explorer, you will see that the Google Drive icon has appeared.


Now let's move on directly to working with Google Drive. Many cloud storage creators consider it their duty to add demo files. The Google Drive folder will greet you with dreary emptiness. To send your first file to the storage, you just need to copy it to this folder in the same way as you do in other folders.


A blue sync icon will appear next to the transferred file, indicating that the this moment The file is being sent to Google servers. If the blue icon is replaced by a green checkmark, it means that synchronization has been successfully completed and the file can now be viewed from any other device.


Now let's go to the desktop. We see that our desktop has been replenished with three new icons, including our Google Drive folder, as well as new Google Docs, Google Slides and Google Sheets. These three programs are an office suite that runs on the Internet.


That is, for example, you want to write a new text. You launch the blue icon and your browser launches, which redirects you to a web page with a full-fledged office editor, where you can easily type text and format it.


While you are typing or editing text, seamless synchronization will occur, and all changes will be added to your Google Drive. This feature can be especially useful in situations where the computer freezes, the power goes out, or the laptop's battery runs out.


We will not dwell much on the remaining programs. Google Sheets is similar to Excel, and Google Slides is similar to PowerPoint. The main difference from Microsoft's office suite is that Google distributes its online suite absolutely free.

Conclusion.

Google’s goal is not just to create another cloud storage, of which there are already plenty today, but to release its own unique product that will be useful to all users. A large number of space for storing personal files and folders, an office suite for service users, fast synchronization, cross-platform functionality and other useful features make this service one of the best today.

Google Drive is a cloud file storage service. Thanks to this tool, you don’t have to worry about the safety of your documents, and you don’t need removable drives to work on other devices.

How does Google Drive work?

The new owner of Google Drive receives 15 GB for the safety of information. However, if this is not enough for you, the developers have provided for this scenario - if necessary, it is possible to expand the amount of memory, but it’s not free.

The storage facility accepts data that is located in other services, which are also developed by the American corporation. We are talking about Google Photos and Gmail.

The “My Drive” section was created to store new files, folders, tables, presentations, etc. To have access to it from all devices on which you work on a particular document, be sure to log in to your Google page. In addition, we recommend installing the appropriate versions of the application for both PCs and mobile devices - then the work will be much more comfortable.

You can download the miracle tool by clicking on the link www.drive.google.com, where you will see a big blue “Download Google Drive” button. For mobile devices, the application can be downloaded using the following links: www.play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.docs (for Android) or www.itunes.apple.com/ru /app/google-drive-free-online-storage/id507874739?mt=8 (for iOS).

Google Drive accepts documents, images, and audio and video files for storage. You need to download data on the page www.drive.google.com or in the appropriate application.

There are several types of loading, one of them is drag and drop. To do this, go to the page using the link given above, create a “folder” and download the material by dragging it into the Google Drive folder. If you have an application, you simply find the appropriate folder on your PC and drag and drop everything you see fit into it. Then they will appear on www.drive.google.com.

For Android devices, this process is as follows: launch the application on your smartphone or tablet, click on the plus sign and select “Download”. Then select the files, after which they will be available in the My Drive section. Files can also be moved to other folders.

In the case of iOS devices, the first steps are similar to the previous description, but after selecting the files, you need to click on the “checkmark”, which is located at the top. A status bar will be displayed at the bottom. To go to a specific file, select “View in Folder.”

All material located in the “My Drive” folder is initially synchronized with Google Drive. To synchronize other folders, you must follow these instructions:

Launch the application (for Windows: Start - Programs - Google Drive; for Mac OS: Finder - Programs - Google Drive);

Click on the Google Drive icon (on Windows, the lower right corner of the taskbar; on Mac, the upper right corner of the menu bar);

Click on the icon that looks like an ellipsis in a column (located in the upper right part) and click “Settings”, and then “Synchronization Options”;

You will be offered 2 synchronization options - for all files in the My Drive folder or for specific folders. In our case, we need to choose option 2. Select the checkboxes for the folders you want to synchronize;

Click on the "Apply" button.

Working with folders and documents in Google Drive

To create a folder, you need to go to the Google Drive page on the Internet, click “Create”, then “Folder”. Give the new “folder” a name and click “Create”.

Moving files is also very simple - just right-click on the desired item and click "Move to", then go to the folder where you want to store the selected document and click "Move".

You can also store the file in several places at once. To do this, go to drive.google.com, select the desired file and hold it. Then press the Shift+Z button combination and in each folder click “Add here”.

To delete an object, right-click on it and select the appropriate action. For files that were accidentally deleted, there is a recovery function through the recycle bin.

In addition, you can allow other users to access files, just as you can be allowed to view data from other cloud storage services. There is a section “Available to me” specifically for this purpose. This includes those objects in which the access settings contain your e-mail address. These do not include files with the “Everyone on the Internet” and “Everyone with a link” parameters. For each file, information will be posted about the date access was granted, the name of the owner of the object and the location folder (for data added to the “My Drive” folder).

To synchronize such files with your device, go to the “Shared with me” section, select a specific file and in the context menu click on the “Add to My Drive” item. You can also convert Word documents (and more) to Google format.

To do this, go to www.drive.google.com/drive/settings on your PC and find the line “Convert downloaded files to Google format”. Check the box. Such changes can only be made on PC.

It may happen that while using Google Drive, other programs will start to slow down. In this case, it is necessary to set a limit on the data exchange rate. To do this, click on the application icon (where it is located, we already mentioned above), find the same icon in the form of an ellipsis in a column and click on the “Settings” item. Go to the "Advanced" tab. To adjust the download speed, click “Maximum” to reduce it and “Unlimited” to increase it. After making your selection, click on the “Apply” button.

In general, that's all we wanted to tell you about this wonderful video storage from Google. Install Google Drive and then your documents will not get lost or disappear for no reason.

If you still have questions on the topic “How to use Google Drive?”, you can ask them in the comments

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Google Drive, you can log in to it either using a computer or using a phone and tablet, which allows you to use files at any convenient time and anywhere. In order to use the storage, you must register a personal Google account.

From computer

Many users who have recently started using cloud storage from Google are interested in how to log into Google Drive. This requires:

1. Go to the cloud storage page at drive.google.com.
2. If you have already logged in, a page with your files will immediately open. If not, then you need to select an account and click on the “Login” button, or enter your username and password, and then click “Login”.

Important! If you are using cloud storage from someone else’s computer, you should log out of your account after completing all work. Otherwise, the confidentiality of your data will be at risk.

From phone

If you urgently need to use files from cloud storage, and only have a mobile phone at hand, then you can log into Google Drive using the official application for Android or iOS. To do this you will need:

1. Go to the store.
2. Find the application and install it on your smartphone.
3. Wait for the installation to complete and log in using your username and password.

Important! In order to use this application, you will need a smartphone with Android no lower than 4.0 or iOS no lower than 7.0. For Windows phones, you can only install the unofficial application.

Password recovery

If problems arise when logging into the cloud storage, for example, the password was forgotten or lost, then you need to do the following.

Cloud storage called Google Drive, also known as Google Drive in bourgeois, also formerly known as Google Docs, is located at drive.google.com and provides fifteen gigabytes for free. Since the most effective and visual method of cognition is comparison with analogues, it is applicable. And at the same time, we will explain everything scrupulously to inexperienced, novice computer users.

How to start

It all starts with mail. I mean, from registering with Gmail. This is the starting point for using any Google services; you can’t do without it.

Then we go to a service called Disk. You can either find it in the list of products, if you don’t see it in the bar at the top, or type the address indicated in the preamble.

Since it is extremely inconvenient to dump fifteen gigabytes into one pile, we create folders. For this purpose, on the left there is a red button with an obvious name that expands the list. In which we select “Folder”. All that remains is to enter its name and enter it.

Next to “Create” there is another button, also red, but slightly smaller. It shows an up arrow. This means uploading something to the cloud storage in question. Don't believe me? Hover your pointer over it and the “Download” prompt will pop up.

Click, select files, and wait for the process of uploading your data to the cloud to complete.

Unlike the situation observed in Ubuntu One, the download window does not disappear by itself when finished; you need to close it manually. But the scripts do not run amok when adding files to the list, do not warm up the computer and do not force the browser to slow down.

On Yandex.Disk, the fan at such a moment can roar like a wounded bear. But there, despite already quite long term existence of the service, everything is still so crooked, unoptimized, buggy and faulty that there is nothing to be surprised about.

In the Dropbox web interface, only the so-called basic uploader actually works, which allows you to upload one file at a time. However, there are only two free gigabytes.

Download

Method one, for several files: check the boxes next to the desired objects - expand the list under the “More” button on the panel at the top (it appears after checking the boxes) - agree to download as a zip archive - wait for archiving to complete - finally download.

Method two, the easiest for any file: right click on it - “Download”.

Method three, if you clicked on something by accident: look at the darkened screen with a very meaningful message, they say, preview is impossible, there is nothing to open such a file, don’t blame me - find the button with the down arrow at the bottom right (this is how downloading is indicated) - Click on it to get the desired result.

Method four, for one document: click, wait for the document to open in the online application - “File - Download”.

SkyDrive's interface is more obvious, more convenient, with the highest level intuitiveness. You can immediately see where you should click what, so as not to open the document in an online editor, but to download it immediately.

Well, Ubuntu One is just a storage facility, where the download is started by simply clicking on the file. But you won’t be able to pick up several pieces through the web interface in one fell swoop. For the reason that you cannot select several pieces. Although the service is developing, we will see further.

Let's go back to our Google Drive. What's really missing is the "Download" button next to "View" (with the stylized eye).

Documentation

In fact, documents can also be opened in Microsoft SkyDrive. Moreover, the ODF format (*.odt) is supported there, which for some reason has not yet been implemented in Google Drive, despite Google’s favor towards Linux.

When it comes to Google Drive, it's best to create documents from scratch rather than uploading ones made locally. It doesn't matter if the formatting gets lost. The problem is that tabs are thrown out at the beginning of each paragraph. Both in downloaded files created in LibreOffice Writer, and in text copied from LibreOffice.

In what format to download the results to disk, this also raises questions. It seems that it turns out completely without any jambs, only in PDF.

Photos

These are best packaged in archives and uploaded to the cloud in the form of zip files. Since the Google+ social network is in a never-ending process of permanent development, photos may suddenly move to albums there (formerly Google Picasa). And in those albums, according to eyewitnesses, confusion often arises.

However, when using mobile devices, of course, there is no particular choice. Either the photos are uploaded to Google+ (using an app) or to Google Drive (via another app) along with other file types.

Moreover, it is quite difficult to predict further changes and nuances in the Google Drive application. But, of course, you can install it in Android and try it.

How to share

Right click on the file - “Sharing” - “Sharing” again. There are buttons for sending by mail to Gmail, as well as to social networks. But we are interested in specific, precise and controlled tuning. Therefore, in the “Access Levels” section, just below, click “Configure”. Everything is obvious there.

You can share a whole bunch of files at once. We tick them and press the button that appears at the top with a little man and a plus at his left shoulder. Then many links will be offered for copying at once.

Documents from links that you copy and place anywhere on the Internet will not be downloaded, but will be opened in the online editor. Therefore, for the user to save them on local disk(on a computer) you will have to press “File - Download”.

You should also remember that the documents you share will certainly and inevitably be indexed in a search engine (Google, what else).

For the writer

Is the service suitable for a writer who intends to compose something online, traveling around the world and logging into Google Drive? The answer is clear: no.

For creative endeavors, only the Microsoft SkyDrive online editor in their cloud service is suitable.

Why? To understand this, it is enough to read and compare the user agreements. Google gets the right to use all your content literally (no exaggeration!) however they want. In fact, the user agreement cancels the entire set of copyrights, property and non-property. Microsoft, fortunately, does not allow anything like this.

The same applies to journalists, reporters writing dissertations, etc. Working on texts in the Google service under discussion is potentially unsafe.

Let's summarize

So, we made a comparison with similar services. Now, without breaking tradition, let's summarize.

Disadvantages of Google Drive cloud storage: lack of ODF support, not very intuitive interface, confusion with photo albums, user agreement gives Google the rights to anything and everything.

Advantages: fifteen gigabytes, convenient to share on Google+ and Twitter, convenient to send links by mail (Gmail), software is optimized and does not cause the computer to heat up, slow down, or glitch.

That is, to put it differently, it is better to keep more or less confidential files in Ubuntu One, work with documents in Microsoft SkyDrive, and share something with the world’s population in Google Drive.

Recently, not only computer, but also mobile technologies. In this regard, the issue of secure storage of relatively large volumes of information has become very acute. And it is for this purpose that many IT corporations offer users of any type of device the use of so-called cloud services. How to use the cloud and services that are included in the basic kit of any developer will now be discussed.

What is cloud storage?

First, let’s define what kind of service this is. Roughly speaking, this is file storage in the form of allocated disk space on a remote server of a company providing such services.

In other words, in a sense, it can be called a kind of virtual flash drive on which a certain amount of data is placed. However, if you need to constantly carry a USB device with you to access downloaded information, then such a service (for example, the Mail.Ru cloud or the corresponding Google service) can be accessed both from a computer and from a mobile device. That is, the files are synchronized in the cloud itself, and you can view or download them simply by entering your registration data (although in some cases this is not required).

Quite a lot has already been written about how to use the cloud. Now let’s pay attention to some main points, and also consider the simplest principles of its use, explaining the situation in detail.

Most popular services

It goes without saying that initially, to use such storages, you need to decide on a service provider, that is, choose the most suitable service for yourself

Today you can find quite a lot of such services. The most popular are the following:

• Dropbox.
• SkyDrive.
• Cloud Mail.Ru.
• "Yandex.Disk".
• Google Drive (Google Disk).
• Apple iCloud and iCloud Drive.
• OneDrive, etc.

Before we figure out how to use each type of cloud, it should be noted that these services are somewhat uneven when compared to each other. The fact is that some repositories can be accessed exclusively from a computer terminal, while others require synchronization of both computers and mobile devices. Sometimes you may need a specialized application that plays the role of a kind of conductor, sometimes just an Internet browser is enough.

The same applies to freely allocated disk space for storing your files, as well as payment for additional space on a remote server. In any case, most services are very similar to each other.

What should you pay attention to before starting work?

Now let's look at some important points, without which the use of cloud services is out of the question.

The very first and most important thing is pre-registration, and in some cases it does not matter at all whether it will be done via the Internet using a regular browser or a special computer or mobile application. The whole process takes a few minutes.

Mobile devices with operating systems installed on them differ favorably from stationary systems. The fact is that when you turn it on for the first time, to access some advanced functions or stores such as AppStore or Google Play (Play Market), the system initially prompts you to create an account (registered email address and password). At the same time, your smartphone or tablet already has a pre-installed application for working with cloud services. For convenience, you can install their desktop counterparts on a computer or laptop (although access can also be obtained through a browser).

Allocable disk space

Another important point- the amount of disk space that the user initially receives in the free version. As a rule, the volume on different services ranges from 5 to 50 GB. If this is not enough, you will have to increase the storage capacity and pay a certain amount for it, which includes the cost of purchasing more volume and maintenance for a certain period of use, which, by the way, can also vary.

General principles

As for how to use the cloud itself broad concept, everything is quite simple here. After registration, the user only needs to add folders and files, contacts and much more to the storage.

At the same time, in the settings section, he can add friends who, like him, will upload files to the server or edit them (the simplest example is Dropbox). Often, new users can use their own passwords to log into the system.

But here's what's interesting. When you install a special program on your computer, access to files in the cloud is much faster than when you launch the same Internet browser. The same can be said about synchronization. It is enough to place the files in the application folder, and synchronization will be performed instantly for all users who have access rights to the service. Let's look at the most popular storage facilities.

Cloud Mail.Ru

So, as mentioned above, you will first need to create a box Email, after logging in, the cloud service will be displayed in the panel at the top in the projects tab. This is the Mile cloud. How to use it? As easy as pie.

Initially, 25 GB of disk space is offered. Uploading files is carried out using the corresponding button, which can be used to add several objects at once. The limitation concerns only the size of the uploaded file - it should not exceed 2 GB. Before starting the download, you can use additional functions, for example, create, after which you can just as easily move and delete files. Please note: it does not have a “Trash”, as in the same Yandex service, so it will not be possible to restore deleted information.

The function of creating, viewing or editing files can be very useful. Let's say we have a Word document (or it is created directly in the repository). Changing it directly in the cloud can be as easy as if the user were launching the editor on a computer. Upon completion of work, we save the changes, after which synchronization occurs again.

Yandex cloud: how to use?

With the Yandex service, in principle, things are almost identical. The functional set, in general, does not differ much.

But the developers of this service thought that the user could delete files completely by accident. This is where the so-called “Trash” comes to the rescue, into which information is placed when deleted. It works like a standard computer service. True, data recovery tools are not applicable to it if they have already been deleted from the Recycle Bin. Nevertheless, the function is very useful.

Google Drive storage

Now let's move on to another powerful service called Google Cloud. How to use Google Drive? There are no fundamental differences compared to other services. But here access can be obtained both from a mobile device (built-in service) and using a utility installed on a computer (not to mention logging in via an Internet browser). With a phone or tablet everything is simple, let’s look at the computer program.

We assume that the account has already been created. After activation, the user receives 5 GB of storage. An increase to 25 GB will cost approximately 2.5 USD. We install the application on the computer, after which the service folder appears on the Desktop (it is also displayed in Explorer).

As is already clear, just place the files in this directory and synchronization will occur. During operation, the program “hangs” in the system tray as an icon. Right-clicking opens an additional menu where you can view the available space for downloading files, make personalized settings, expand storage space, shut down, etc.

One point is especially worth noting here. As it turns out, copying files to the program folder on your computer and then downloading them from the cloud to your mobile device turns out to be much faster than connecting the gadget to your computer and then copying them using Windows.

iCloud and iCloud Drive services

Finally, let's look at how to use the Apple cloud. There are two services (iCloud and iCloud Drive), which are pre-installed on the iPhone or iPad in accordance with the version of the operating system installed on the device. Essentially, iCloud Drive is an updated version of iCloud, and for it to work correctly, I should take into account that the mobile gadget must meet the stated technical requirements: iOS 8 on the device itself. Computer - with Windows 7 or higher with the iCloud for Windows extension, or a computer terminal with Mac OS X 10.10 or OS X Yosemite.

Initially, after logging into the service, folders created by default will be displayed there. Their number may vary depending on the settings of the computer and the client on the mobile device. How to use the cloud on iPhone? In principle, there is nothing supernatural about this. It is enough to launch the application on the gadget (switch the launch slider to the on state) and log in using your account. It's another matter when the input is supposed to be from a computer. Here you will need to use the settings menu of the program itself and select enable there.

Another disadvantage is the rather low synchronization speed (this is recognized by everyone). And one more, most unpleasant moment. If you switch from iCloud to iCloud Drive without updating all devices to the required configuration, the data in the old cloud will simply not be accessible, so be vigilant.

Conclusion

That’s briefly all that concerns the question of how to use the Cloud application or services of the same name. Of course, not all the possibilities of such services are considered here, but, so to speak, only general principles(basics) of work. However, even with such minimal knowledge, any newly registered user will be able to carry out basic operations within 5-10 minutes.

Many companies provide free space in the cloud. This means that you can place your own files not on your computer’s hard drive, but on an external server owned, for example, by Mail.ru, Google, Yandex, Apple or other e-commerce giants. However, this does not mean that only they can offer cloud gigabytes. Not even too much at the moment famous portals and hosters are able to guarantee cloud services. The only question that remains is the reliability and security of such proposals.

How to use the Google.Disk cloud

One of the most popular cloud storage is Google Drive. It guarantees 5 GB. free space for any personal needs, easily expandable up to 25 GB. for only 2.5 dollars (and beyond). How to use it? First of all, you need to register an account with Google. If you already have an email account on Gmail, its data will work. If not, fill in all the required fields via the link and click “Next”. After this, go to the Google Drive start page, entering your username and password. Now you can use the storage without any problems. Your documents will be displayed in the “Files” section, and they can be easily accessed by guests and other third-party visitors (for example, via a link or a request from a specific email).

How to use Google Drive cloud on your computer

Access and management of the storage can be done through a special program installed on a PC. While on the Drive web page:

• look for the “Download for PC” button at the bottom and left;
• in the next window, click “Accept the terms and install”;
• the installation process will begin;
• when it is completed, click on the “Close” button;
• launch the installed program and click on the “Login” button;
• enter your username (email address) and password, and click “Login” again;
• in the new window, click “Forward” - the program will notify us that the data from Google Drive will be synchronized with the selected folder on the PC;
• if you select “Advanced settings”, you can change the name and location of the folder on your hard drive, as well as allow/disable autorun after turning on the PC;
• Click on “Synchronize”, after which the setup is complete.

Next, any documents placed in the selected folder will be transferred to the cloud. You can use them online or on any other computer if you enter your login information. The same is true vice versa - once you place documents in Google Drive, you can easily take them to your home PC.

How to use the Yandex cloud. Disk on computer and online

Cloud storage from Yandex works similarly to Google Drive. Register on yandex.ru by clicking the “Mail” button and filling out the appropriate form. When an account is created, a “Drive” button will be available in the upper right corner. The file management program can be downloaded to your PC; to do this, from the main Disk window, click on the “Windows” button and go through all the standard installation steps. When the installation is complete, a folder with Yandex Disk documents will appear on your home computer. In the program settings you can choose:

• on the “Basic” tab: launch when you turn on the PC and the path to the folder with files;
• on the “Account” tab: login, password, number of remaining GB;
• “Synchronization” - will display a list of all folders located on Yandex Disk and synchronized with the hard drive (can be disabled by unchecking the checkboxes, and vice versa);
• “Screenshots” has the following settings: places desktop screenshots directly in the cloud;
• “Advanced” - allows you to enable or disable updates, sending crash logs, and so on.

You can get other cloud storage from well-known brands like Dropbox, Mega, Mail.ru, Amazon, iCloud Drive, 4shared, SugarSync, OpenDrive, Syncplicity, SpiderOak.

Cloud file storage is a fairly convenient way to save your data on a remote server, saving space on your PC’s hard drive and at the same time being able to quickly access it from any computer or device that has Internet access. One of the most popular services for cloud data storage is Google Drive.

Google Drive features

Google Drive provides its users with up to 15 GB of free space to store any files. In case this is not enough, the volume can be expanded for a fee, up to 1 Terabyte. If you wish, you can give other users access to some files stored in the cloud storage and specify the level of access - they can edit the file or only view it.

In addition, it is possible to open files directly in the browser window. Google Drive supports many common file formats, such as PDF, PSD, RAR, DOC, AVI, FLV and others. This feature is especially useful when you access a file storage service from a device that does not have the appropriate program to open the file.

Google Drive also has a recovery feature. The service saves all the changes you have made to files over the last 30 days, and if necessary, you can return the file to one of the previous versions.

Among the additional features of the service, it is worth highlighting the ability to work with documents together with other users and an advanced search function. While you're collaborating on a document, you can instant message with other users right in the document window. And Google Drive's advanced search even includes scanned documents.

How to use Google Drive

In order to start using the Google Drive cloud file storage service, you must first create an account on Google +. If you already have an account, you can immediately go to Google Drive and click the button Try it.

Download the installation distribution to your computer and install the program. Next, enter your data: email address and password. When setting up Google Drive, you can choose the location of the folder to sync. To do this, click the button Advanced settings and at the top of the window indicate the location of your folder.

After installation and configuration, folder synchronization will begin. The Google Drive icon should then appear in your taskbar. By clicking on this icon, you can open the Google Drive folder on your local computer or on the Internet, expand your cloud storage space, close Google Drive, or make some program settings.

All files that you place in your Google Drive folder will be automatically copied to Google cloud storage and you can access them from any device that has internet.

On your Google Drive web page, you can create new document, presentation, drawing or table - there is a special editor for this, with an interface similar to MS Office.

To give other users access to a specific file, right-click on it and select the item from the context menu Sharing and configure the access level. Then copy the link and send it to those you want to share the file with.

If you delete a file from a Google Drive folder, it is placed in the Trash on local computer and to the cloud storage cart. To recover a deleted file from storage, go to the Google Drive page, click the button on the left menu More and select Basket. Go to the cart, check the box next to the items you want and click Restore.

In this article, the tutorial Your-Smartphone will tell you how to use Google Drive cloud storage and what are the advantages of this cloud service.

Google Drive cloud storage will replace any program for working with documents, a USB flash drive with a capacity of up to 15 GB, and will solve the problem of file transfer big size. Now you don’t need to remember where you saved your documents or files: at home, in the office or on your phone - they will always be at hand, you only need an Internet connection, and you can also give access to other users for collaboration.

1. How to install Google Drive:

For computer (PC)

• First, you need to go to the official Google Drive website. There, enter your Google mail username and password. If you still don’t have it, you need to register - this article will help you with this:.
• Install Google Drive by clicking the “Download Google Drive for PC” button.
• Enter your username and password again, after which a Google Drive folder will be created on your computer.
• Transfer all the necessary files and documents into it.

For Android device

Install the Google Drive app from the Play Store.

Open the program, enter your username and password for your Google account.
Now all changes that occur in this folder and in the files that are in it are displayed immediately on all your devices where the Google cloud storage application is installed.

2. How to use Google cloud storage?

1. Flash drive 15 GB.

Initially free after registration 15 GB for storing files. Now you don’t need to buy a drive to transfer data; you just need to go to drive.google.com from any device (not necessarily your own) through a browser, enter your account information and you will immediately get access to all the files that are in your Google Drive. Moreover, they can be downloaded or edited directly on the Internet by clicking on required document or folder.

You can also add any file or folder from your device to your Google cloud storage. If 15 GB is not enough for you, you can buy yourself more space: 100 GB or more for the price from $4.99 .

2. Automatic synchronization

When you change files and folders on one of your devices, they will be available in the latest version on all the others. To do this, you only need to connect your devices to the Internet.

3. Transferring files and folders

Now you don’t need to think about how to transfer a large file or folder, since not all mail programs they deal with it. You just need to select the required element, select the “Sharing” option, enter a name (for SMS), or an email or group address in the field, and the users you specified will be sent a link where they can view, download, or edit ( depending on what rights you specify for them in the access menu) sent material.

4. Real time operation

Moreover, if you work on documents, spreadsheets and presentations with other users, you don't have to copy and forward them every time. You can create and edit documents in real time, as if your colleagues were at the same table with you.

So, we looked at Google Drive cloud storage, how to download Google Drive and its capabilities.

If you have questions about setting up or using the Google Drive service, write in the comments below.