You can use shared drives in Google Drive to store, search, and access files with a team. Shared drive files belong to the team instead of an individual. Even if members leave, the files stay in place so your team can keep sharing information and work anywhere, from any device.
Shared drives are a popular way to store, search and grant file access to team members. Instead of an individual having ownership, a shared network drive puts files in the hands of entire teams. Regardless of whether a colleague leaves a company files remain in one place and accessible to a variety of users.
Google shared drives (formerly known as Team Drives) are a new feature in Google’s G Suite. Unlike files in My Drive, files in shared drives are owned by the team/group rather than an individual. See below for a table that outlines the other differences between shared drives and My Drive. Who owns files and folders?
How does Google Drive sharing work?
Choose who to share with
- On your computer, go to drive.google.com.
- Click the folder you want to share.
- Click Share .
- Under “People,” type the email address or Google Group you want to share with.
- To choose how a person can use the folder, click the Down arrow .
- Click Send. An email is sent to people you shared with.
Can anyone see my Google Drive files?
The files and folders in your Google Drive are private by default until you decide to share them. You can share your documents with specific people or you can make them public and anyone on the Internet can view the shared files.
My Drive includes items you own, such as Google Docs, Presentations, Drawings, etc., and folders that you have created, as well as files and folders that you have synced or uploaded. … Shared with Me shows files and folders that you do not own, but that have been shared with you.
When you upload files to Google Drive, they are stored in secure data centers. If your computer, phone, or tablet is lost or broken, you can still access your files from other devices. Your files are private unless you share them.
1.2 When to use shared drives
Consider using a shared drive in these situations: You‘re working on a project or event with a group of people who all need access to the same files. Most of your files are shared with the same group of people. Your files share a consistent theme or topic.
On the left hand side of your Google Drive look for link ‘Share with me’. Click the link. The folder listing on the right hand side of your Google Drive will show all the folders and files that have been shared with you. Click on either the folder or file to open it up.
3.4 Delete a shared drive
Make sure the shared drive is empty. If you want to keep files or folders, move them to My Drive. … click Delete shared drive. Click Delete Shared Drive to confirm.
How to Move Files from Shared With Me to My Drive?
- Click “Shared with me” tab located at the left side of window.
- Click a file which you want to move.
- Click “Add to My Drive” icon located at the top of the window. …
- A “Move To” window opens up.
- Select the folder from “My Drive” to move the file.
- Click “Move” button.
That’s where shared folders come in. Saving to a shared folder takes no more time and effort than the old habit of using ‘My Documents’ to store files. The big difference is that the data will be backed up in a safe file location.