Google Drive: The Web App & the Desktop App

Google Drive is a cloud storage service. It’s a fantastic tool for document management, sharing and backup. We compare the browser-based web app and the locally installed desktop app to see the real differences. Google says that the full power of Google Drive isn’t experienced until you install the desktop app; let’s take a look. The Google Drive desktop installation process is straightforward.

The Google Drive Web App

The most common way to access Google Drive is through a web browser (drive.google.com). An example Google Drive looks like this:

The Google Drive Desktop App

Google Drive integrates directly into PC Windows Explorer and Macs. Click here for the instrcutions to the The Google Drive desktop installation process is straightforward.

For a brief guide to downloading the desktop version on Google Drive. 

     a. Click on the gear icon in the top right-hand corner on your Drive screen (see image above).

     b. Click "Download Drive" (see image below)

c. the image below will appear on your screen, click on "Download Drive"; Mac and PC" 

  

d. In the pop-up box that appears. Click "Agree and Download" (see image below).

e. You may need to click "Run" (see image below)

   

f. A pop-up will appear, click "Get Started"

g. The next window will ask you to log in (so the downloaded Drive know which Google Account to access). firstname.lastname@mvla.net (see image below)

   

h. Laslty,  if you are a PC, your Drive will not appear on your Desktop

or if you have a Mac it will be located in your Finder:

Click here for the instrcutions to the The Google Drive desktop installation process is straightforward.

Files you’re currently storing online in Google Drive will automatically be downloaded and made available locally. Additionally, any folders and files you save here will be synced online. It’s a two-way sync.

That said, having a folder on your local computer that automatically syncs with Google Drive online is an extremely powerful tool. Why? For one, there’s the aforementioned revision feature; if you have a Microsoft Word document in your Google Drive folder and you edit and save it multiple times, all of those different revisions are automatically stored and saved in the cloud. Additionally it’s nice not to have to worry about remembering to upload a file to have it available in a place other than home or work. For instance, can create a PowerPoint presentation on your computer and save it to your Google Drive folder; it’s automatically uploaded to Google Drive in the cloud. From there you can share it with your team members. Any changes they make will not only be saved as revisions, but the latest version of that document will be synced back to your computer in the Google Drive folder. The utility is undeniable.

Credit to Charles P. Jefferies | August 15, 2012 | in Google Apps, Services, The Cloud