The OIT recommends Google Drive as the storage service for campus.
To assist, OIT offers a variety of training guides and resources for Google Drive. Additionally, we recommend installing Google's streaming app - Drive for Desktop - on your work computer. This app allows you to work with non-Google file types stored in Drive. See below for more details.
For a brief overview of Google Drive functionality, please see this link from Google's Workspace Learning Center. You can also learn more about working with Docs, Sheets, and Slides by clicking on the 'Learn by Product' tab and exploring those features.
Google Drive Guides & Resources
- Intro to Google Drive QRG
- Google Drive - More Features QRG
- Tips for Organizing Your Google My Drive Space
- Google Shared Drives Permissions Matrix
- Google Shared Drives QRG
- Google Docs, Sheets, Slides QRG
- Note: For more Google Sheets resources, see this article.
Google Drive for Desktop (formerly Google Drive File Stream)
Google's Drive for desktop tool is for working with non-Google file types stored in Drive. Example non-Google file types include Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, etc.), Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, InDesign, etc.), images, and PDFs. Once you install Drive for desktop, you can access your non-Google files through Windows File Explorer or Mac Finder.
How it Works:
- In Windows File Explorer or Mac Finder, locate and open the file.
- The file will open in its native app ( i.e., MS Word files open in MS Word) for you to make your changes.
- Save and close the file. The file will automatically upload to Drive as a new version.
This mimics the experience of connecting and working with a mapped drive such as your N: drive. Note that Drive for desktop allows you to access files stored in your My Drive and Shared drives spaces. To access content from Share with me, you need to add a Shortcut.
For instructions on how to install Drive for desktop, see this article.