Amal Nagm

Introduction

Creating an Account

To Create a Google Account:

1. Go to www.google.com.
2. Click the Sign in button in the top-right corner of the page.
   Clicking Sign in
3. Click Sign Up or Create an account for free.
   Clicking Sign Up
4. The Create a new Google Account form will appear.
   Creating a new Google Account form
5. You will now need to enter your information into the form. Type your first name and last name.
6. Type the Google username you want to use. This will be both your Google Account name and Gmail address. Google checks the availability of the username to make sure that name hasn't already been taken.
   Typing your Google username
7. Type your desired password. Just like with any online service, it's important to choose a strong password—in other words, one that is difficult for someone to guess. When you type your desired password, Gmail will tell you whether it is strong enough, and if it's not strong enough you can modify it. For more information, check out Passwords - The First Step to Safety in our Internet Safety Tutorial.
   Creating a strong password
8. Enter your birthday month, day, and year. If you prefer not to give out your birthday, you can enter a random date. Select your gender.
   Typing Birthday and selecting Gender
9. Optional: If you would like Google to text you your password if you ever forget it or need to reset it, enter yourMobile phone number. This is not required to sign up for a Google Account.
10. Optional: If you would like Google to help keep your account secure by emailing you if there is unusual activity happening with your account, enter an alternate email address in the Other email address box.
    Fields for contact information
11. Next, you will need to enter the verification text. You will also need to select your location.
    Typing the verification text and selecting Location
12. Review the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy and check the box to accept.
13. Review the About personalization link and check the box if you would like to participate in Google +1 content and ads. We will leave the box empty.
14. Click Next step to continue.
    Agreeing to Terms of Service
15. The Create your profile page will appear. Click Add Profile Photo if you wish to add a photo to yourGoogle+ profile. If you do not want a profile photo at this time, click Next step. You can add a profile photo later, if you change your mind.
    Continuing to the next step
16. The Google welcome page will appear. This page will help explain the basics of your Google account and will remind you of your new Google username and Gmail address.
    The Google welcome page

Clicking Get started

Setting Up Your Account

Watch the video (3:04). Need help?

Getting started with Google Drive is a two-step process. First, you'll need to visit the website for the first time, in order to enable your account. Then you'll download the software you need to use Google Drive on your desktop.

Watch the video to find out how to set up Google Drive.

Installing Google Drive

Google Drive is actually a small piece of software that you'll need to download and install to your computer. After the program is installed, you'll be able to upload files from your computer to Google Drive and access them anywhere you go.

In this example, we will install Google Drive for Windows. Google Drive is also available for Mac, but keep in mind that the Mac installation process will be a little different.

You can still access the majority of Google Drive's features online without installing the separate Google Driveprogram; however, you will not be able to upload and sync files from your computer easily without it.

To Install Google Drive:

1. While signed in to your Google Account, navigate to http://drive.google.com.
2. The Welcome to Google Drive dialog box will appear. Click Try Google Drive to continue.
   Trying Google Drive
3. The Google Drive page will appear. Click the Install Google Drive for PC button.
   Installing Google Drive
4. The Download Google Drive for Windows dialog box will appear. Review the Terms of Service and then click Accept and Install.
   Clicking Accept and Install
5. The Google Drive Installer will open automatically. Depending on your current browser and operating system, the download and installation process may be a little more complicated. Step-by-step instructions will appear in the browser window if you are not sure how to proceed.
6. Click Close when the installer is finished.
   Closing the Google Drive Installer
7. The Sign in to Google Drive window will appear. Confirm your Google username, reenter your password, and click Sign in.
   Signing in to Google Drive
8. The Getting started window will appear, which explains how Google Drive works with your computer. ClickNext to continue.
   The Getting Started window
9. Click Finish to complete the installation.
   Closing the Getting Started window

Google Drive is now installed on your computer. Drive will automatically add a shortcut to your desktop.

A shortcut to Google Drive 

Accessing Google Drive

Once you've set up your Google Account and installed Google Drive, you're ready to get started. It's easy to accessyour Google Drive at any time using an internet browser or from your computer's desktop.

To Access Google Drive:

1. Navigate to www.google.com and Sign in to your Google Account.
2. Locate and select Drive from the menu at the top of the page.
   Going to your Google Drive
3. Your Google Drive will appear.
   Viewing your Google Drive

You can also view your Google Drive directly on your computer by clicking the Google Drive icon  in your startup menu and then selecting Open Google Drive folder from the drop-down menu.

Accessing Google Chrome on the desktop

Google Drive Interface

Your Google Drive may be empty right now, but as you begin to upload and create files, you will need to know how to view, manage, and organize them in the interface.

Review the interactive below to become familiar with the Google Drive interface.

Drive for Mobile Devices

Available for both iOS and Android, the Google Drive app allows you to view, edit and upload files to Google Drive using your mobile device. Whether you're proofreading an important document or showing off a presentation, the Google Drive app makes it easy to access and edit files on the go.

Installing Google Drive on an iPhone

Viewing files in the Google Drive app