Using Google Drive to Share Large Files: A Quick Guide

Google Workspace is an effective business platform for your productivity suite, but Google Drive on its own also has significant merit as a cloud storage and file-sharing platform. Today, we want to discuss how to use Google Drive to share large files effectively.

Why Not Use Email?

If you’ve ever tried to send large files by email, you know the limitations. Most email providers cap data transfers per message at 20-25 megabytes, even when compressed into a zipped folder. This limit often makes it impossible to send large files—especially large images, audio files, and videos.

With a free Gmail account, you get 15 GB of cloud storage in Google Drive. While this may not seem like much, it's enough to share files effectively. Businesses using Google Workspace have even more options for file sharing, but even the average user can benefit from Google Drive's capabilities, including its mobile app that lets you manage files on smartphones or tablets.

To share a file through Google Drive, you first need to upload it. Click the New button at the top left corner of the screen, then select File Upload. Depending on your Internet provider’s upload speed, this process might take some time, especially for large files. Once the file is uploaded, you can share it.

Sharing Made Simple

Once your files are in Google Drive, right-click the file you want to share and select Share. You can either share the file directly through Google Drive—sending an email to the recipient with access instructions—or you can copy the link to the file and share it manually. This method adds an extra layer of security, as any user who tries to access the file will need your permission first.

You can also share files with a group of people using a group contact. From the menu, select Share, then choose the group you want to share the file with. This will invite everyone in the group to access the file.

Finally, you can grant access specifically for downloading the file. The recipient simply opens the file and clicks the Download option under File. After selecting the desired file format, the download is complete.

This strategy simplifies the process of sharing large files. We hope you find it helpful.

Security Tip: Protect Your Sensitive Information

While Google Drive is a convenient tool, it's important to avoid storing sensitive company information on a personal Google Drive account. To ensure your data is secure, it's best to work with InTegriLogic Corp. to implement a secure, controlled method for sharing company data.

For assistance with setting up secure file-sharing solutions or any other IT needs, give us a call at 520-545-0691. We're here to help your business succeed.