Google Drive Basic Navigation

Google Drive is the new online storage space included as part of the G Suite for education with the new UMICH email account. For more information on the UMICH email account, please refer to google.umflint.edu.

Intended Audience

This Quicknote is intended for current faculty, staff, and students who would like to know more about Google Drive Storage that became available when access was granted to their UMICH email account.

Requirements

To follow this Quicknote you will need to have access to the internet. You will also need to have access to your University account and know your current university credentials (uniqname and current password). You will also need to have access to your duo authentication device.

Table of Contents

• Navigating Google Drive
• Google Drive for desktop
• Troubleshooting
• Video Assistance
  • Basic Navigation of Google Drive
  • Copying Files to Google Drive
  • Google Drive for desktop

Navigating Google Drive[back]

Google Drive can be accessed in a couple of different ways.

Accessing Google Drive Directly

1. In your preferred internet browser, navigate to drive.umich.edu.
   • Note: Although not required, it is strongly recommended to use Google Chrome as it has the best compatibility with the G Suite Apps.
2. Log in using your uniqname and current password. If prompted, authenticate with Duo.

Accessing Google Drive through a University of Michigan Gmail Account

1. In your preferred internet browser, navigate to email.umich.edu.
2. Log in using your uniqname and current password. If prompted, authenticate with Duo.
3. Click the App Launcher.
   
4. Select the Drive App.

Copying Files

1. Once you are in Google Drive, navigate to the folder you want to move the files to.
2. Then on your computer navigate to the folder you want to move the files from.
3. Once you have located files you would like to move select the files.
   • Once you left-click to select the file you then drag it over to the location you would like it to be on Google Drive.
     • Don't forget to release the click in order to drop the file in your Google Drive folder
4. The upload times may vary depending on the size of the file.
   • Please Note* you will not want to upload a large number of files all at the same time or you can run into issues with the upload.
5. Now, the new folder should appear in My Drive.
   • It's common practice to confirm the files uploaded properly by checking the file
   • To do this just navigate to the Google Drive folder where you uploaded the file and try to open the file and confirm the contents.

For a detailed tutorial please view our Video Assistance

Creating or Uploading New Folders

1. Once you are in Google Drive, right-click on the My Drive app.
2. You can now select the option to create a new folder or to upload a folder from your computer.
   • If you create a new folder...
     1. Enter the title.
     2. Select Create
   • If you upload a folder from your computer...
     1. Select the folder from your computer.
     2. Click upload.
     3. Click upload again.
3. Now, the new folder should appear in My Drive.

Sharing Folders and Files

1. Right-click the folder or file you would like to share.
2. Click Share.
3. Enter the email addresses of the people you would like to share the file with.
4. Select the permissions you would like to give those you are sharing the file with.
5. Click Send.

Creating and Sharing Team Drives

1. Right-click Shared drives.
2. Click New Shared drive.
3. Enter the name of the new shared drive.
4. Click Create.
5. Now that the shared drive is created, you can add members.
   • Right-click the name of the shared drive you just created in the drop-down menu under Shared drives
   • Click Add Members
   • Enter the email addresses of the people you want to add to the drive.
   • Click Send.

Google Drive for Desktop formerly File Stream [back]

What is Google Drive for desktop?

Google Drive for desktop allows you to open files from Google Drive on your computer. This means you can save files and folders offline, organize files in your computer's filing system without using storage space, and open files on your computer.

Who can get Google Drive for desktop?

Google Drive for desktop is available to faculty, staff, and students. Student-workers can install Google Drive for desktop on University-owned computers, but an ITS staff member will need to sign in as an administrator during the installation process.

How to Install Google Drive for desktop

1. Open Google Drive, and click the Settings gear icon.
2. Click Get Drive For Desktop.
3. Click Download & install Google Drive for desktop.
4. Select Download for Windows or Download for Mac.
5. Open the file on your computer.
   • GoogleDriveFSSet.exe on Windows.
   • GoogleDrive.dmg on Mac.
6. Follow the on-screen prompts.
7. When asked to sign in, use your uniqname and current password. If prompted, authenticate with Duo.

For more information, please visit the following links.

• Google Drive: support.google.com/drive
• Google Drive Best practices: support.google.com/drive
• Google Drive for desktop: support.google.com

Troubleshooting [back] 

If you have any questions or experience any issues with this Quicknote, please visit or contact the ITS Helpdesk for assistance.

Location: 206 Murchie Science Building
Hours: go.umflint.edu/hours
Phone: (810) 762-3123 
Email: flint.its.support@umich.edu

Videos Assistance

Basic Navigation of Google Drive[back]

Copying Files to Google Drive[back]

Google Drive for desktop[back]