You and your team or coworkers may want quick and easy access to a shared Google Drive. You may add this shared drive to Windows File Explorer in a matter of minutes.
This is a convenient alternative because it eliminates the need to open your browser, sign in to Google Drive, and navigate to the item you require in the shared drive. Simply launch File Explorer and go.
Download and Install Google Drive for Desktop
- The first step in using Windows to access a shared disk is to download the application. Visit the Google Drive for Desktop website and click “Download Drive for Desktop,” which should detect your platform automatically.
- Open the GoogleDriveSetup.exe file from your downloads folder or toolbar for the browser you’re using.
- When prompted, select “Yes” to allow Windows to launch the Google Drive installer on your computer.
- You’ll next be prompted to add an application shortcut to your desktop as well as shortcuts to Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides. Check the boxes that correspond to your preferences and then click “Install.”
- When the process is complete, you will be prompted to sign in. This is required to link your Google account to the application. “Sign in With Browser” should be selected.
- Choose and sign in to the Google account you want to use, or add another account if the relevant one isn’t listed.
- Following that, you will receive a message with three statements that you must affirm for your own protection. When you’re finished, click “Sign in.”You’ll next be prompted to add an application shortcut to your desktop as well as shortcuts to Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides. Check the boxes that correspond to your preferences and then click “Install.”
- When the process is complete, you will be prompted to sign in. This is required to link your Google account to the application. “Sign in With Browser” should be selected.
- Choose and sign in to the Google account you want to use, or add another account if the relevant one isn’t listed.
- Following that, you will receive a message with three statements that you must affirm for your own protection. When you’re finished, click “Sign in.”
- You’ll receive a notice like this in your browser after successfully signing into your account. Then you can close that browser tab or window.
- The Google Drive program will also provide a confirmation message. To acknowledge and proceed, click “Close.”
- You may also notice a smaller message indicating that Google Drive is loading your files. If this is the case, you can acknowledge and dismiss the notification by clicking “OK.”
In File Explorer, navigate to Google Drive.
- You can then launch File Explorer in Windows as usual. On the left, you’ll see Google Drive mentioned. By default, this PC. Google Drive can be expanded to show My Drive and Shared Drives. To view your things, go to “Shared Drives.”
- If you chose to save the Google Drive icon to your desktop, you may access it by double-clicking it. This will open File Explorer with Google Drive pre-selected.
Adjust Your Google Drive Preferences
- If you install Google Drive for desktop, you can make changes to the options. This includes altering the drive, mirroring data rather than streaming them, launching on system startup, adding another Google account, and other options.
- Select the Google Drive icon from your System Tray. Select “Preferences” from the gear icon.
- To access the first set of settings, select “Google Drive” on the left. Click the gear icon in the upper right corner for more information.
- Make your desired modifications and then click “Done.”
Allow Offline Access to Files on a Shared Drive
- It only takes a couple of clicks to make specific files in your shared Google Drive available for offline access.
- To view your files, open Google Drive in File Explorer and select “Shared Drives.”
- To add a checkmark next to an item, right-click it, move your cursor to Offline Access, and select “Available Offline” from the pop-up menu.