How to upload and download a file or folder in Google Drive

Google provides many free programs to its users such as Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Slides via Google Drive. Additionally, Google Drive users receive 15 GB of free cloud storage for their various files and folders. To upload files not created in a Google Drive program, or download files, choose an option from the list below and follow the steps.

Upload files and folders using My Drive

1. Open Google Drive. If prompted, log in to your Google account.
2. At the top-left of the home screen, right-click the My Drive selector.

3. Select Upload files or Upload folder from the drop-down menu.

4. Browse to the location of the desired file(s) or folder(s), make your selections (1) and click Open (2).

5. If the file or folder was properly added, a confirmation prompt in the lower-right corner of the browser window appears.

Upload files and folders using drag-and-drop

1. Open Google Drive. If prompted, log in to your Google account.
2. Resize the window so that it is smaller (half of the width of the monitor or less works well).

• How to resize a window.

3. Locate the file or folder you want to add to Google Drive.

4. Drag-and-drop the file or folder from its current location to the open space in the middle of the My Drive section.

5. If the file or folder was properly added, a confirmation prompt in the lower-right corner of the browser window appears (shown below). Additionally, the file or folder now appears under the My Drive section.

Download files and folders using My Drive

1. Open Google Drive. If prompted, log in to your Google account.
2. On the left side of the screen near the top, ensure that My Drive is selected.

3. Right-click the file or folder you want to download and select Download from the drop-down menu.

4. When your download completes, a prompt in the upper-right corner of the browser window is displayed, similar to the one below.