Google Drive lets yous admission your files anywhere through the deject, but you lot might not be getting the well-nigh out of it. We're going to testify you some Drive settings that you lot should tweak immediately for Windows x and mobile.

Whether it's changing your default relieve binder, editing fonts, or using your files offline, these tips will aid you be a more than efficient Bulldoze user.

1. Set a Default Documents Binder

You need to manually put your files in your local Google Drive so that they sync to the cloud. This can exist cumbersome when Windows sets your storage location to exist the Documents binder by default. Yous can alter this then that the default storage location is Google Drive.

documents properties
  1. Printing Windows key + E to open File Explorer.
  2. From the left-hand menu, right-click the Documents folder and click Properties.
  3. Switch to the Location tab and click Motion. A new window opens.
  4. Click Google Drive from the left-hand menu, then click Select Folder.
  5. Click OK to confirm.
  6. Finally, you'll be asked if y'all want to move your files from the old location to the new. If you want to, so that your Documents folder syncs to Drive immediately, click Yes to proceed.

2. Use Files Offline

If y'all're using Google Drive on your figurer, you don't need to exercise annihilation special to use the files offline. Open them upwards and they'll sync the adjacent time you're connected. To become the same matter for your browser, the setup procedure is a little different.

google drive settings

Showtime, y'all'll need to use Google Chrome. Launch information technology and install the Google Docs Offline extension. Then:

  1. Get to Google Drive and click the cog icon in the top right.
  2. Click Settings.
  3. On the Full general pane, tick Create, open up and edit your recent Google Docs, Sheets and Slides files on this device while offline.
  4. Finally, click Washed.

You'll see a message to show that your changes are being updated, which will disappear once the process is complete.

3. Check Your App Permissions

Applications can exist linked to Google Drive and serve a variety of purposes. Yous can get functional apps that let you do things like fax and sign documents or create menstruation charts. Y'all can also link other programs to use Google Bulldoze as a storage facility—WhatsApp'due south chat backups is a pop case of this.

It'south wise to check which apps are paired to your Google Drive account. Perhaps you lot've mistakenly added something or no longer demand it. If so, there'due south no demand for it to be accessing your account or using your information.

google drive manage apps

To manage this:

  1. Open Google Bulldoze and click the Cog icon in the elevation correct.
  2. Click Settings.
  3. Switch to the Manage Apps window from the left-hand navigation. Hither you lot will see a list of all your apps.
  4. Yous can use the Options dropdown to Disconnect from Drive and remove the app entirely.
  5. If applicable, you volition also exist able to Delete hidden app data. This means the application is using your data allowance, only won't appear in your standard list of files.
  6. Click Done when you're finished.

four. Automatically Back up Phone Data

Google Drive can automatically back up smartphone data, similar SMS letters and device settings. This is helpful if y'all lose your phone or want to transfer to a new device. Besides, it's ever important to support your smartphone.

To do this:

  1. Open up the Google Drive app and tap the menu icon in the peak left.
  2. Go to Settings > Backup and reset (or just Fill-in on iPhone).
  3. Slide Dorsum upwardly to Google Drive on.

5. Set Default Certificate Formatting

When you start a new certificate, practice yous always change the font to something else? Save yourself the chore and a few seconds considering y'all can ready a specific font every bit the default.

google drive paragraph styles
  1. First, open up a document in Google Docs.
  2. Type something, so highlight information technology.
  3. Fix your desired format for the font using the dropdowns.
  4. Then go to Format > Paragraph styles > Normal Text > Update 'Normal text' to match.
  5. Keep the text highlighted and go to Format > Paragraph styles > Options > Save every bit my default styles.

Done! Now all new documents will use this formatting.

6. Change Notification Settings

You lot tin can choose to get various notifications from Google Bulldoze. On the web version, your options are limited to enabling or disabling e-mail notifications. To do this:

  1. Log in to Google Bulldoze and click the Cog icon.
  2. Go to Settings.
  3. Switch to the Notifications pane, and then tick the box.
  4. Finally, click Done.

On Android and iOS, the customization options are improve. Launch Google Drive on your phone, tap the Bill of fare icon. Then, go to Settings > Notification settings (or just Notifications on iOS.)

Here, you can change settings like whether to show notifications, what specifically to be notified about, and whether to enable dissonance and vibration.

7. Gear up Apps for Specific File Types

The Chrome Web Store is full of handy applications you tin can link with Google Drive. Some of these apps will open specific file types like PDFs. Remember of it like how your computer can open up music files in all sorts of different media players.

google drive manage apps

If you take apps installed and want to gear up an app to exist the default for opening a certain blazon of file, that's like shooting fish in a barrel to change.

  1. Log in to Google Drive.
  2. Click the Cog icon.
  3. Click Settings.
  4. Click Manage apps.
  5. Scroll to the app you wish to manage and bank check Use by default. Of grade, simply uncheck this box to remove the default.

8. Set Your Primary Google Account

If you have multiple electronic mail addresses continued to your Google account, you lot might notice yourself constantly switching between them in order to access the Drive account you want. This is considering Google uses the offset account you sign in to as your default. You can reset this.

First, navigate to Google, click your Profile icon on the height right, and click Sign out of all accounts. Now, become to Google Drive and log in with the account you wish to utilize as your principal. This volition now be the Bulldoze account that loads first. Once washed, you can log into the rest of your accounts.

For more data, see our guide on how to change the default Google account.

Take You lot Paid Attention to Drive'due south Settings Lately?

Hopefully, you've learned something new from the tips we've outlined here. They'll assist you be a more efficient Google Bulldoze user.

Remember, Google Drive is a service that is constantly evolving, so it'south worth rummaging in the settings every once in a while to see what'due south new.

x Common Google Drive Issues (And How to Solve Them)

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Joe Keeley (882 Articles Published)

Joe was born with a keyboard in his hands and immediately started writing about engineering. He has a BA (Hons) in Concern and is now a full-fourth dimension freelance author who enjoys making tech unproblematic for everyone.

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