Google Drive Default Storage Explained and How to Change

Google Drive offers 15 GB of free storage space to all users, which can be upgraded to 100 GB or more with a paid subscription. This amount of storage can fill up quickly if you're storing a lot of files, photos, and videos.

Google Drive default storage is divided into two main categories: Google Account storage and Google Workspace storage. Google Account storage includes all files and data stored in your Google Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos. Google Workspace storage, on the other hand, is specifically for businesses and organizations that use Google Drive for work.

To change your Google Drive default storage, you'll need to upgrade your plan or purchase additional storage. This can be done through the Google Drive website or mobile app.

Check this out: Default Drive Settings Google Admin

Google Drive storage can be a bit confusing, especially when you're trying to figure out how much space you have available. You start with 15 GB of free storage, which is included with your Google Account.

You can also get extra storage through promotions, which can add up to 50 GB or more to your total storage. For example, if you buy a Chromebook, you might get an extra 50 GB of storage.

If you have a Google One membership, you can add up to 85 GB of storage to your total. This is on top of the 15 GB you already have, so you can have a total of 100 GB of storage.

Here's a breakdown of the different types of storage you can have:

To give you a better idea, let's say you have a family plan with 4 members. You'll each have 15 GB of free storage, and you can share the 85 GB of Google One storage. This means you'll have a total of 150 GB of storage.

It's also a good idea to check your storage usage regularly to make sure you have enough space for your files. You can do this by checking the storage usage in Google Drive settings.

To change the default Google Drive folder location, you'll need to ensure you have administrative rights on your computer and the Google Drive app installed. This is a crucial step, as it will allow you to make the necessary changes.

To confirm the new folder location, simply restart your computer and the Drive app, and verify that the change was successful. This is a straightforward process that will ensure your files are synced correctly.

Before making the change, make sure you allocate more disk space to the new folder location, especially if you're moving to a higher capacity drive. This will ensure a smooth transition and prevent any issues with file syncing.

Here are some best practices to keep in mind when changing the default Google Drive folder location:

Your Google Account comes with 15 GB of personal storage, and that's free. This storage is added on top of the 15 GB of storage included with your Google Account.

If you buy a Google One membership, it adds 85 GB of storage to your total. This brings your total storage to 100 GB.

You can also get extra storage through promotional deals, like buying a Chromebook. These deals can add up to 50 GB of storage to your total.

Here's a breakdown of the storage totals:

This brings your total storage to 150 GB.

Before you start changing the default storage location, make sure you have the necessary prerequisites in place. You'll need to have administrative rights on your computer.

It's also a good idea to ensure that the Google Drive app is installed on your computer, as this will make the process smoother. I've seen people get stuck because they didn't have the app installed.

To avoid any potential data loss, make sure all your files are synced to the cloud. This will give you a backup in case something goes wrong during the process.

For more insights, see: If I Delete Onedrive Will It Erase Everything

You'll also need to choose a new location that has enough storage space for your Drive files. Don't try to cram everything into a tiny folder, or you'll be in for a world of trouble.

Here are the prerequisites for changing the default storage location:

Changing the default Google Drive folder location on Windows is a straightforward process.

The default folder is usually located at C:Users[username]Google Drive, where [username] is your Windows account name. You can find this path by searching for Google Drive on your computer.

To change the default folder location, you'll need to update the Drive settings to reflect the new path. This will ensure that file syncing and storage use the new folder location on your Windows PC.

If you encounter issues after changing the default folder location, there are a few troubleshooting steps you can take. These include restarting your computer and the Drive app, checking that the folder is copied fully to the new location, and verifying that Drive settings show the new path correctly.

For another approach, see: How to Remove Desktop from Dropbox

Some common issues that may arise include the Drive not recognizing or syncing the new folder, files disappearing from Drive on your computer, or being unable to access the new folder location.

Here are some solutions to these common issues:

You'll need to confirm the new drive storage location after moving your Google Drive folder. This is where you verify that the change was successful.

On Windows, you can confirm the change by verifying that Google Drive is syncing from the new folder. On Mac, the process is similar, and you'll also need to update the sync preferences in the Google Drive app.

To confirm the new folder location has changed, simply verify that the Google Drive app has moved the storage location and is now syncing from the new folder.

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Confirming the new storage location is a crucial step in ensuring that your files are synced and stored correctly. You can confirm the change by verifying that the Google Drive app has moved the storage location to the new folder.

Consider reading: New Google Drive Shortcuts

The Google Drive app will move the storage location and start syncing from the new folder. Verify the change was successful by checking the new folder location.

To confirm the new storage location, you'll need to check the Google Drive app's sync preferences. This will ensure that your files are synced and stored in the correct location. The Google Drive app will automatically sync your files to the new folder location.

Here's a breakdown of the total storage you can expect with a Google One plan:

With a Google One plan, you can add more storage to your account. The additional storage is added on top of the default 15 GB storage. If you have a promotional deal, that storage is also added to your total.

Photos are backed up in Original quality, but if you're looking to save space, you can opt for High quality or Express quality after June 1, 2021.

Photos and videos backed up in High quality or Express quality before June 1, 2021 won't count toward your Google Account storage.

It's worth noting that deleting your backup doesn't turn off future backups, so be sure to manage your backup settings if you don't want duplicate files.

If you're not sure about your backup settings, you can learn more about Photos backup options to get a better understanding of how they work.

For another approach, see: Drive Settings Google

When choosing a new location for your Google Drive folder, it's essential to consider the type of storage you have available. You can move the folder to any external drive with sufficient free space.

External hard drives or USB drives are suitable options, as they offer ample storage capacity. Secondary internal hard drives with available space are also a good choice.

For those with a fast internal SSD, moving the folder to your user directory can be a great option. If you're using a network, you can consider moving the folder to a network attached storage (NAS) device.

Expand your knowledge: Storage Space Google

It's worth noting that some locations are better than others. For instance, system drives with limited space should be avoided, as they may cause issues with your computer's performance.

Here are some specific locations you can consider moving your Google Drive folder to:

On the other hand, some locations are best avoided. For example, slow USB flash drives should not be used, as they can cause syncing issues.