Cloud Storage on Learning Environments-Supported PCs and Macs: Google Drive

These instructions are recommendations for Learning Environments-supported shared computers, which include Office of the Registrar (OTR) classroom podium and lab computers, lab computers in Fondren and residential colleges, and select departmental lab computers.

Google Drive

Logging In to Google Drive

  • Go to https://drive.google.com.
  • Click on “Go to Drive” to log in.
    Go to drive
  • Enter your Rice NetID email address.
    Sign in with NetID email
  • At the Rice Identity Provider page, enter your Rice NetID and NetID password.
    Rice Identity Provider
  • Don’t save your password in the browser.
  • You will then be prompted to use Duo multi-factor authentication to log in.
    Duo authentication options
  • You may see a prompt asking you to verify it’s you. If you do, you should see your NetID in the prompt. Click the “Continue” button to “verify it’s you.”
    Verify it's you
  • You should then see your Google Drive folders and files.


Working with Google Drive Files

  • To open files with software installed on the computer, first download it to the local computer. To do this, right-click on the file, and then click on “Download.” If prompted, click the option to save the file.
    Download files
  • On Windows, your file will be saved to the “Downloads” folder, which is accessible from the desktop from the Downloads shortcut.
    Windows Downloads folder
  • On Macs, your file will be saved to the “Downloads” folder, which is accessible from the right side of the dock, and it is next to Trash. Please note that the icon might not be a blue folder. Instead, it might be a thumbnail of the file that you just downloaded.
    Mac Downloads folder
  • Open the file you downloaded by double-clicking on it or opening it from within your desired application.
  • Note: For some filetypes, you may be able to double-click on the file to open it from Google Drive from within the browser, but you may lose formatting and other features. You’ll get more consistent results if you download it to the computer and open it with the native application as described above, instead of opening it within the browser.

Saving Files to Google Drive

  • If the the file that you want to save to Google Drive is located on the local classroom podium or lab computer, make sure you save the file to the local computer first.
  • In Google Drive, navigate to the folder where you want to save your file. Then you can drag-and-drop the file to your Google Drive.
    Dropping files to upload
  • Alternatively, you can click on the “+ New” button and then “File Upload” or “Folder Upload” to upload the file or folder to Google Drive.
    File and folder upload
  • If the file already exists in Google Drive, click “replace existing file” or “keep both files.” Then click on the “Upload” button.
    Replace or keep duplicate files
  • In the lower-right corner, you should see confirmation that your upload has completed and there should be a green checkmark next to the filename. You should also see your file in your Google Drive.
    Upload complete

Logging Out of Google Drive

  • Click on the button with the Rice logo and your avatar located in the upper-right corner. Then click “Sign out.”
    Sign out
  • Close all of your browser windows.
  • If you are finished using the computer, please remember to log off.

Additional Information

  • For additional information, please see Google’s documentation on Google Drive.

Pages: 1 Decommissioning Home Drives | 2 OneDrive | 3 Google Drive | 4 Box