You need a Google account first, then you can use Google Drive immediately
Google Drive is built into every Google account — you do not need to create it separately or download anything to your computer. If you have a Gmail address, you already have access to Google Drive. If you do not have a Gmail account yet, you create one first, and Google Drive comes with it automatically.
The whole process takes about five minutes. You will use the same username and password for Gmail, Google Drive, Google Photos, and all other Google services linked to that account.
Key Takeaways
- Google Drive is included free with every Google account, so you do not need a separate sign-up.
- You access Google Drive by going to drive.google.com and signing in with your Google account, or by clicking the Google apps menu in Gmail.
- Google gives you 15 gigabytes of free storage shared across Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Photos combined.
- You can create folders, upload files, and share documents with others directly from Google Drive without installing software on your computer.
- Files you create in Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides are stored in Google Drive automatically and do not count against your storage limit.
Creating a Google account if you do not have one yet
Go to accounts.google.com/signup in your web browser. You will see a form asking for your first name, last name, desired Gmail address, and a password. The Gmail address is the username you will use to sign into Google Drive later, so choose something you will remember.
Google will ask you to verify your identity by sending a code to a phone number or recovery email address. Enter that code, and your account is created. You can skip adding a profile picture and phone number if you want — those are optional.
Once your account is set up, you have Google Drive. You do not need to do anything else to activate it.
Accessing Google Drive on your computer
Open a web browser and go to drive.google.com. Sign in with your Gmail address and password. You will see your Google Drive home page, which shows any files or folders you have created or that others have shared with you.
The left sidebar shows "My Drive" (your own files), "Shared with me" (files other people have shared), "Starred" (files you marked as important), and "Trash" (deleted files). At the top left, a blue button labeled "Create" lets you make new folders or start a new document, spreadsheet, or presentation.
You do not need to install Google Drive on your computer to use it this way. Everything happens in your web browser, and your files stay on Google's servers.
Uploading files from your computer to Google Drive
In Google Drive, click the "Create" button and select "File upload" to choose a single file from your computer. Or click "Folder upload" to upload an entire folder with all its contents inside. A window will open showing your computer's files — navigate to what you want and click "Open."
You can also drag files directly from your computer into the Google Drive window in your browser. Just open a file explorer window (File Explorer on Windows, Finder on Mac) next to your browser, then drag the files into Google Drive.
Google Drive accepts most file types: Word documents, PDFs, images, videos, spreadsheets, and many others. Files you upload count against your 15-gigabyte free storage limit, but files you create using Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides do not.
Installing Google Drive on your computer for automatic syncing
If you want files to sync automatically between your computer and Google Drive, you can install Google Drive for Desktop. Go to google.com/drive/download and click "Download" to get the installer for Windows or Mac.
Once installed, Google Drive for Desktop creates a folder on your computer (usually called "My Drive") that stays in sync with your Google Drive online. Any file you put in that folder automatically uploads to Google Drive, and any file you add to Google Drive online automatically appears in that folder on your computer.
This is optional — many people use Google Drive only through the web browser and never install the desktop app. But if you want your files to be available both online and on your computer at all times, the desktop app makes that automatic.
Sharing files and folders with other people
Right-click any file or folder in Google Drive and select "Share." A window will open where you can type the email address of the person you want to share with. You can choose whether they can view only, comment, or edit the file.
Once you click "Share," Google sends them an email with a link. They can open the file without needing to upload it to their own Google Drive. If they have a Google account, they can edit it directly if you gave them edit permission. If they do not have a Google account, they can still view it or comment, depending on what you allowed.
You can also get a shareable link by clicking "Share" and then "Copy link." Anyone with that link can open the file, and you control whether they can view, comment, or edit.
Understanding your storage and what counts toward the limit
Google gives you 15 gigabytes of free storage. This limit is shared across Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Photos — so if you have a lot of emails with large attachments, that counts toward the 15 gigabytes.
Files you create using Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms, or Drawing do not count toward your storage limit, no matter how large they are. Only files you upload from your computer or files other people upload and share with you count against the limit.
If you run out of space, you can delete files from your Google Drive or empty your Trash (deleted files stay in Trash for 30 days before being permanently removed). You can also buy more storage through Google One, which offers plans starting at 100 gigabytes, but that is optional.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to download anything to use Google Drive?
No. You can use Google Drive entirely through your web browser at drive.google.com. The Google Drive for Desktop app is optional and only needed if you want files to sync automatically between your computer and Google Drive.
What happens if I close my browser — do my files disappear?
No. Your files are stored on Google's servers, not in your browser. When you close your browser and come back later, your files will still be there. You just sign back in at drive.google.com to see them.
Can I access Google Drive on my phone?
Yes. Download the Google Drive app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, sign in with your Google account, and you can view and edit files on your phone. Changes you make sync back to your Google Drive online automatically.
What if I accidentally delete a file?
Deleted files go to your Trash folder, where they stay for 30 days. You can right-click the file in Trash and select "Restore" to put it back. After 30 days, files are permanently deleted and cannot be recovered.
Can I use Google Drive offline?
Yes, but only for files you create in Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides. Turn on offline mode in Google Drive settings, and you can view and edit those files without an internet connection. Changes sync back when you reconnect. Uploaded files (like PDFs or Word documents) require an internet connection to access.