How to Use Google Drive Like a Pro: Easy File Sharing & Smart Storage Tips
July 22, 2025
If you’ve ever opened Google Drive, uploaded a file, and thought “now what?”, this episode is for you. In this edition of Your Tech Makeover, we’re taking a friendly deep dive into how to use Google Drive like a pro, part of our ongoing mini-series on sharing and syncing data.
Whether you’re organizing family files, collaborating with coworkers, or just trying to find that PDF from last summer, Google Drive can be a powerful command center—if you know how to use it without getting lost in a maze of folders and permission settings.
What This Episode Covers
We kick things off by breaking down what you get with a free Google account—yes, that includes 15GB of cloud storage shared across Gmail, Drive, and Photos—and we talk through when it might make sense to upgrade to a Google One plan.
From there, we explore how to build a smart folder structure, what sharing settings you need to know to avoid oversharing, and how Google’s suite of tools like Docs, Sheets, and Forms integrate beautifully with Drive to streamline your workflow. I also cover some favorite tips for keeping things organized with color-coded folders, starred favorites, and the Priority view.
Finally, I share some simple tips for keeping Drive from becoming a digital junk drawer—including ways to declutter, use mobile tools, and stay productive even when you're offline.
Key Takeaways
- 📁 Start with a folder structure. Organize by category—like Work, Personal, or Finances—and use clear folder names to avoid confusion later.
- 🔒 Share with care. Always check whether collaborators can view, comment, or edit. Avoid the “anyone can edit” option unless you trust everyone with your digital keys.
- 🌈 Use colors and stars. Color-code your folders and star your most-used files—but remember to un-star them when they’re no longer active.
- 🧠 Let Google help you. Use the Priority view and search filters to surface what you need faster.
- 📱 Go mobile and offline. The Google Drive app is great for scanning documents, sharing on the go, and marking files for offline access—even on iOS.
Links & Resources
🎧 Listen to the full episode: YourTechMakeover.com
🛠️ Tools mentioned:
Enjoying the Podcast?
If you found this episode helpful, I’d love to hear from you. Email me anytime at frank@yourtechmakeover.com.
🛎️ Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on your favorite platform and visit YourTechMakeover.com for more episodes and show notes.