Google Drive

What is Google Drive?

In the spring of 2012, Google introduced Google Drive, a cloud-based storage system that allows you to keep your documents, photos, videos, and other files online. Whenever you place files on Google Drive, they are stored on Internet servers rather than your computer's hard drive. You can then access those files from any computer with an Internet connection or even a mobile device, like a tablet or smartphone. Drive even allows you to share files with your family, friends, and coworkers.

Watch this video from Google to learn more about how Google Drive works.

Why use Google Drive?

Google Drive is one of the most popular cloud storage services available today, offering fifteen gigabytes (15GB) of free storage space. If you've never used a cloud-based storage service like Google Drive before, take a moment to consider the advantages of keeping your files online. Because files can be accessed from any computer with an Internet connection, Drive eliminates the need to email or save a file to a USB drive. And because Drive allows you to share files, working with others becomes easier than ever. With Google Drive, you can:

• Create and edit documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and more.
• Open your files from any computer with an Internet connection.
• Invite others to collaborate on your documents.
• Retrieve your files even if your computer is lost, stolen, or broken. Your documents will still be safe in the cloud.
• Access, create, and edit documents on the go with the Google Drive apps for your smartphone or tablet.
• Save and edit files that you've created using Chrome's web apps, such as SlideRocket or AutoCadWS, right in the Drive.
• Upload, share, and view many other types of files. Although Google Drive isn't designed to edit every file type, it's actually able to display previews for various types of videos, images, and other document formats.

The introduction of Google Drive has raised privacy concerns among some users. Despite what you may have heard, Google Drive keeps your files private and secure. However, storing files on the cloud is not without some risk. It's possible that your files could be lost by the server or hacked and viewed by someone else. Although the chances of this happening are very low, you should never keep your only copy of an important document in the cloud.