Accessing a .zip file in Google Drive (macOS + Windows) using Google Drive for Desktop

Keywords: .zip file drive google macOS Windows application

Aliases: program compressed

The district-preferred method of accessing .zip files in your Google Drive, is using an application called Google Drive for Desktop, which is pre-installed on all District devices.

Google Drive for Desktop provides benefits aside from being able to unzip .zip files. It makes for a more seamless experience of being able to access Google Drive files directly from your Desktop.

Problem: You will not be able to unzip / extract .zip files, from your Google Drive, while using a web browser as shown in this screen shot:

Solution: Using Google Drive for Desktop, which is pre-installed on all District devices.

macOS:

1. Launch Google Drive for Desktop if it isn't already running, by going to Finder > Applications > and double-click on Google Drive.app

2. On newer versions of Google Drive, you will see the below screen if you're not signed into the app. Click 'Get started':

3. Click 'Sign in' - it will use your web browser to authenticate your Google Account. You are likely already signed into your web browser with your PSD Google Account, so select it. Otherwise enter your PSD email and go through the ClassLink login.

4. Once successfully signed in, it should look like the below. There will be a Google Drive Desktop icon in the top bar, and clicking on that should look like the below:

5. You should now see 'Google Drive' under Finder > Locations.

Clicking on that should bring you to 'My Drive' and 'Shared drives'.

Double-click on 'My Drive':

6. Now that you've navigated inside 'My Drive' and look for the .zip folder you were looking to unzip. Then, simply double-click on it to unzip it. It will take you to the unzipped contents.

Going forward, for any additional files that need unzipping, you can jump directly to steps 5 and 6, now that Google Drive for Desktop is setup.

After unzipping, it will show the unzipped folder below the .zip one:

Windows:

1. Google Drive for Desktop is pre-installed on Windows as well.

Click on the Windows logo in the bottom right corner and search for it, then hit enter (or click on the app in the search results):

2. After launching, Google Drive for Desktop hides in the 'tray'. This is in the bottom-right corner, near the clock.

Click the carrot-key icon to find it:

Then click on the Google Drive icon:

3. Click 'Get Started' and then click 'Sign in' - it will use your web browser to authenticate your Google Account. You are likely already signed into your web browser with your PSD Google Account, so select it. Otherwise enter your PSD email and go through the ClassLink login.

After authenticating and proceeding, you should see a message saying 'Google Drive is loading your files':

4. Repeat step 1, now that you're signed in.

You should see 'My Drive' and 'Shared drives'. I like to make a shortcut of these to my Desktop.

Select both folders, then right-click 'Create shortcut'. It will place a shortcut for both on your Desktop.

Note: If you see a message saying 'Windows can't create a shortcut here...' - simply click Yes.

5. You should now have a shortcut to both on your Desktop:

6. Open 'My Drive'.

Now, simply browse to the .zip folder in your Google Drive, right-click, and choose 'Extract all...'

Right-click on above, and select:

Then, at this window, choose 'Extract':

Your unzipped folder may be at the very bottom of your Google Drive:

The folder is now unzipped and accessible. Going forward, now that Google Drive for Desktop is configured, you can jump directly to step 6.