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Commonly Asked Questions About Google Drive


Google Drive is a great tool for education. This tool allows educators to access information anywhere from any device with a web browser or app. Here are a few questions that I am commonly asked about Google Drive.

Are my files safe and private?

YES! Nothing in Google Drive is shared with anyone unless you choose to share it. By default, everything is private. Keep in mind that your Google Admins (i.e. IT Personnel) have access to your data within your school or business Google Account. Take a look inside the cloud in the video below.




Will my files automatically convert my Office Documents to Google Docs?

Yes and no, the choice is yours. Google Drive is capable of automatically converting Microsoft Office files, such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, to Google's equivalent, Docs, Sheets, and Slides. However, if you don't want to, you don't have to. Some choose not to convert their files as sometimes document formats can appear skewed when converting. However, I have personally found that it does not take much to correct these errors and it has never resulted in data loss.

What is my storage limit? How much can the cloud hold?

For education, there is no limit. Educators and students using their G-Suite for education account can store as much as they need to in Google Drive.

However, when using a personal account, Google has a Free limit of 15GB, which can be upgraded for a monetary fee.

How do I find my files in Google Drive?

Google has integrated their powerful search engine into Google Drive to help users find files easier. Take a look at the article below to find out how to search by file owner, date modified, file type, and more.

https://support.google.com/drive/answer/2375114?co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop&hl=en

What if I accidentally delete a file in Google Drive, can I recover it?

You can recover deleted files in the trash for around 25 days. However, if you permantely delete a file it may not be able to be recovered at all. You can contact your school or domain account admin to help with file recovery. See the article below on how to recover deleted files.

https://support.google.com/drive/answer/2375102?co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop&hl=en

If I want to share a file from Google Drive, does the recipient have to have a Google Account?

No, if you want people to view something in your Google Drive, you can share you document with anyone, or even publish it to the web.

Yes, if you want people to be able to edit a file in your Google Drive. Then the user will need to have a Google account to log in and edit the shared file.


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