This wikiHow teaches you how to download a Google Docs document and save it to a fast drive. You can do this on Windows and Mac computers.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Downloading Documents
Step 1. Attach the fast drive to the computer
Insert the drive into one of the flat rectangular ports on the computer cover or body.
- If you are using a Windows desktop computer, the USB ports are usually located on the front or back of the computer's central processing unit (CPU) box.
- If you're using an iMac, the USB port is on the side of the keyboard or the back of the iMac's display.
- Not all Mac computers have a USB port. If you're using a newer computer that doesn't have a USB port, you'll need to purchase a USB-C to USB adapter.
Step 2. Go to the Google Drive website
Visit https://drive.google.com/ via a web browser. If you're signed in to your Google account on your computer, the main Google Drive page will load.
- If not, click the " Go to Google Drive ”, then enter your email address and account password to access your Google account.
- If you have more than one Google account saved in your browser, click the Google account profile photo in the upper-right corner of the page, then click the account with the Drive service you need to use.
Step 3. Select the documents that need to be downloaded
Click the document to select it. If the document is in a folder, double-click the folder to view the document.
Step 4. Click
It's in the upper-right corner of the Google Drive window once the document you need to download is selected. A drop-down menu will appear after that.
Step 5. Click Download
It's at the bottom of the drop-down menu. The document will be downloaded to the computer immediately afterwards. Once the document has finished downloading, you can move it to a USB drive.
If you are asked to choose a location to save the download before the file is downloaded, select a fast drive from the left side of the “Save” window and click “ OK " Documents from Google will be directly saved to your fast drive, and you don't need to follow the next steps.
Part 2 of 3: Moving Files to a Fast Drive (Windows)
Step 1. Open the “Start” menu
Click the Windows logo in the lower-left corner of the screen. The “Start” menu will appear after that.
Step 2. Open File Explorer
Click the File Explorer icon that looks like a file in the lower-left corner of the Start window.
Step 3. Open the document storage directory from Google
Click a folder on the left side of the File Explorer window (e.g. "Downloads") to open it in a File Explorer window.
For example, if a document from Google is downloaded to your desktop, you need to click on the "Desktop" folder
Step 4. Select the document
Click the document to select it.
Step 5. Click the Home tab
It's a tab in the upper-left corner of the File Explorer window. After that, a toolbar will appear at the top of the File Explorer window.
Step 6. Click Move to
It's in the " Organize " section of the toolbar.
You can click on the option “ Copy to ” next to that option if you want to keep a copy of the file on your computer when you move the document to a fast drive.
Step 7. Click Choose location…
It's at the bottom of the drop-down menu " Move to " A pop-up window will appear after that.
Step 8. Swipe the screen and select a fast drive
Usually, you can find the fast drive at the bottom of the page.
Step 9. Click Move
It's at the bottom of the window. Your Google docs will be moved from your computer to your fast drive.
You can check if a file is already on your fast drive by clicking on the drive name on the left side of the File Explorer window to view its contents
Part 3 of 3: Moving Files to a Fast Drive (Mac)
Step 1. Open Finder
Double-click the blue face-shaped app icon in your computer's Dock.
Step 2. Go to the storage directory of the document downloaded from Google
You can see a list of folders on the left side of the Finder window. Click the folder that contains the downloaded document from Google.
- For example, if the document is downloaded to the “Downloads” folder, click “ Downloads ”.
- You can also click the “ All My Files ” in the upper-left corner of the Finder window and search for documents.
Step 3. Select a Google document
Click the document to select it.
Step 4. Click Edit
This menu is in the upper-left corner of your computer screen.
Step 5. Click Copy
It's at the top of the drop-down menu Edit ”.
Step 6. Click the name of the fast drive
The drive name is in the lower-left corner of the Finder window, under the " DEVICES " section.
Step 7. Click the Edit button again, then select Past Items.
It's at the top of the drop-down menu " Edit " Once clicked, the document will be saved to the fast drive.
