Increase PC Storage Space by Using Cloud Drive
Edited by Nerissa Avisado, Eng, Lynn, VC
Do you have too many files on your computer? Is this making your computer slow down? With the internet being what it is today, entire books, files, images, songs, videos, movies and games are all easily available for viewing or for downloading. It is now possible to acquire a whole library or a full season's shows with just the click of a button. The increased capability of mobile devices to take pictures and record videos has made it extremely easy to have a glut of files on your PC. The enormous volume of material that can be downloaded brings with it the problem of eating up your computer's memory. One solution you can try is to start using a cloud drive. If you have been desperately looking for a way to store large files without bringing down your PC speed, read on and be introduced to the wonders of using the cloud drive.
What a Cloud Drive is
A cloud drive is like a USB (Universal Serial Bus) flash drive in the sense that it provides you with storage space outside of your computer. However, the big difference between a cloud drive and a flash drive is that your flash drives come as small pieces of hardware, while the cloud drive is out there in cyberspace. Storage space in a cloud drive is virtual space.
Some Differences between a Flash Drive and a Cloud Drive
- 1You access a flash drive by inserting it into a portal in your PC, while you access your cloud drive through the internet.
- 2You don't need to have any hardware to access your cloud drive, but you do need to have internet access.You need your USB flash drive with you to access your files.
- 3With the cloud drive, you can allow other users to open, and even to edit files.Only the person holding your USB has access to your data.
- 4On the cloud drive, files are synchronized across all the devices that access your data.If you use a USB to store data, any editing you do is limited to the flash drive.
How does cloud storage work?
Instead of storing data on your computer, or a disc, or a USB, the cloud drive allows you to store data on a "cloud".
- 1Cloud storage is actually part of the phenomenon called "cloud computing" - an online service which delivers services and allows you use of software through the internet.
What are the advantages of cloud storage?
Cloud storage is simply storage that is done not in the physical confines of your PC but remotely. One way of looking at this would be to simply think of it as saving your files online instead of the hard drive of your Laptop or PC. With the cloud drive, you are not limited to storing files; you can share, edit, and synchronize these files as well.
Cloud storage has several distinct advantages:
- You can access your files wherever you are. With a cloud drive, as long as you have access to the internet, you will be able to retrieve your files no matter where you are. If you were to meet clients or associates by chance in another city, and you needed to show some files, you would be able to do this by going online.
- You can access your files not only through your personal computer or Laptop. You can use a different PC or your mobile phone, as long as the device you want to use has compatible applications. You no longer need your PC to be physically present in front of you for you to work on your documents
- You can store an amazing volume of files without being concerned about losing speed. You won't have to worry that your PC will slow down due to the presence of too many large files files in it. Most providers will give you 2 to 5 GB of free space and charge you only for the space beyond that.
- Your backup files are physically independent from your PC.Cloud drive storage is independent from your in-situ system; it won't be affected if your computer crashes or if your system is infected by a virus. Actually, even if your PC destroyed or your files will remain intact.
- Files are synchronized across all the devices used to download data. When your files are distributed across several PCs, flash drives, and external drives, what you edit in one device is only changed in that particular device. All other files with the same title stored in other devices stay the same. With the cloud drive, once a file is edited, all devices will have the file in its newest form.
- Files can be shared easily.There is no need to send emails with large attachments, snail mail diskettes, or plug in flash drives. Anyone with access to the drive can access files.
Getting Started
- 1There are many cloud service providers today and most of them will give you anywhere from 2 to 5 GB of free storage when you sign up and charge you only after you exceed the free space they have made available. Make a list of 5 to 7 service providers and compare what they are offering.Choose a service provider.
- 2Check the privacy provisions of each cloud storage provider.
- 3Find out how much they will charge you for what you store in excess of their free space.
- 4Read reviews to see which ones have the highest number of satisfied clients.
- 5You will be asked to give your name, email address and a password for your cloud storage. Once you agree to the provider's terms of service, storage space will be made available to you.Follow the sign-up instructions for the provider you have chosen.
- 6The installation process is simple. Just follow the instructions as they appear on your screen.Your drive will be downloaded into your computer through an installer.
- 7Create your folders the way you would on your hard drive.
- 8Even cloud drives can become infected or corrupted. To guard against any unforeseen problems, a backup disc will give you extra security.Provide backup for your files.
Tips, Tricks and Warnings
The decision to use the cloud drive means not having to worry about keeping videos, movies, songs, and all sorts of large files in your hard drive. However, there are several issues you have to study as you begin to use online storage.
- Security Issues - Even documents in the cloud can be infected by malware and viruses. Keep your anti-virus programs up to date and always keep track of potential dangers that can lurk around your files.
- Make sure your anti-malware software can scan.
- Protect your account with secure passwords which you change regularly.
- Check privacy provisions and any riders in the terms of service that allow changes in privacy.
If you have problems with any of the steps in this article, please ask a question for more help, or post in the comments section below.
