A simple starter guide for absolute beginners

1. Sign In and Access Google Drive

• Go to drive.google.com.

• Sign in with your Google account.

• Tip: If you have multiple Gmail accounts, confirm which Drive you’re in by checking the profile photo in the top right.

2. Create Your First Main Folder

• Click New → Folder.

• Name it something simple like “My Drive Setup” or “Main Workspace.”

• Tip: Avoid vague names like “Stuff” or “Misc.”

• Example good folder names:

  • Personal

  • Work

  • School

  • Projects

  • Finances

3. Add 2–3 Subfolders

• Inside your main folder, create a few subfolders to keep things organized.

• Examples:

  • Work → Clients, Admin, Assets

  • Personal → Documents, Photos, Receipts

  • School → Classes, Assignments, Notes

• Tip: Don’t overthink this — you can change the structure anytime.

4. Upload Your First Files

• Click New → File Upload.

• Choose 3–5 files to add (documents, images, PDFs).

• Tip: Upload a mix of file types so you can practice moving and previewing them.

5. Create a New Google Doc, Sheet, or Slide

• Click New → Google Docs/Sheets/Slides.

• Create a test file and name it something like “Practice Document.”

• Tip: You can right-click any file and choose Rename.

6. Use a Simple Naming Convention

• Rename a few files using a consistent style.

• Beginner-friendly naming formulas:

  • ProjectName – Topic – Date

  • ClientName – Deliverable

  • ClassName – Notes – Week 1

• Example: “Taxes – Receipts – 2025,” “Marketing – Content Ideas.”

7. Move Files Into Folders

• Drag and drop your uploaded files into your subfolders.

• Tip: Right-click → Move To if dragging doesn’t work.

• Goal: End with zero loose files in My Drive.

8. Star Your Important Items

• Right-click any file or folder → Add to Starred.

• Tip: “Starred” works like a Favorites list for your most-used items.

9. Try the Search Bar

• Type a keyword or file type (e.g., “PDF,” “invoice,” “notes”).

• Tip: Click the dropdown arrow to filter by file type, owner, or date.

10. Practice Sharing a File (Optional)

• Right-click a file → Share.

• Try sharing it with your own secondary email or a test address.

• Tip: Learn the 3 sharing types:

  • Viewer – can see it

  • Commenter – can comment

  • Editor – full access

Quick Tips for Smooth Setup

• Keep folder names short and specific.

• Review Drive once per week to clean up clutter.

• Avoid duplicate folder structures — keep it simple.

• If something feels messy, reorganize early before it grows.