Using Gmail to back up files with ease
I am pretty fussy about backing my data, after i suffered one of my worst hard drive crashes few months ago. Backup to me is not synonymous to working, as each day i make changes to files, create new software's and lots of other things which I would hate to lose again.
I have used various ways to backup data, including emailing files to myself, burning the files on a CD, making multiple copies on network computers etc. Doing each of these things is a bit time consuming and bit buggy.
But till date, the best of all methods I use for backups which I religiously use now, is backing my files to Gmail using a simple extension to Windows explorer called Gmail Drive Shell extension.
Gmail Drive Shell extension is basically a Shell Namespace extension that creates a virtual drive that will point to your Gmail account, allowing you to use your Gmail account as a backup device.
Screen shot of gmail drive
Some of the features I like are that it is just like your regular explorer drive and you can use similar function's like cut, copy, paste in this extension.
This is the best for backup's, I say this because in other method's like composing a mail it would mean you having to compose a mail, upload attachment's etc. Similarly writing a CD would include compiling it and then burning it which takes up some time too.
With Gmail Drive Shell Extension, it is as easy as drag and drop. You can also create folders with in the Gmail Drive just like your regular drives too
What happens to the files you copy to this new drive?
The files that you copy over get emailed to your Gmail account with a prefix containing the words GMAILFS using which you can create filters to label mails to any folders you want.
With the amount of space Gmail provides a whopping 2.7 GB and the number of accounts you can sign up with I safely can get my data backed up with ease and have it kept safe too. Well this is not only the most cheapest way of having your backups done but also one of the safest and hassle free method.
Though still there are some limitations such as the file name or folder name cannot exceed to be more than 65 characters. But I don't thingk this is a major concern right now.
Needless to say that to use the Gmail Drive you will need to have a active internet connection and a Gmail account for starters.
You can download this useful extension from Google Drive Shell Extension's site .
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Hi. This is neat. I set this up and can see stuff I copy from my local drive to the gmail drive. But – Do you know a way to get the existing stuff in gmail (previous backups) to show up on the gmail drive local view? Also, I haven’t tried the backups yet. I use wp-dbbackup etc and email directly to gmail .. will it show up on my gmail drive local view? Thanks in advance. // HART
Hart those backups usually don’t show up, I have tried with two different computers and it dosen’t sync.
Just what I upload from here is shown on the current PC and not on the other, I am sure they may be working on it.
But for now this feature does not exist
I got a GMail account. I have a Win XP SP2 Russian. When I want to copy a file onto the GMail Drive it would not! Neither copy/paste nor drag\’n\’drop works. And what\’s more, I cannot SaveAs a do***ent from any program (say, notepad.exe) to that drive. My question is: what else can I do with my GMail? Thank you.
Either learn how to write or use grammar/spell check in an application.
I’m using Windows XP x64 Pro, when I install the file, it says it’s all done and that I can go and start browsing on my Gmail Drive entry on My Computer… There’s no entry for Gmail Drive in there! Has anyone else had a problem like this? Maybe it doesn’t support 64-bit architecture?
I’ve got the same problem, it seems that it doesn’t support 64 bit..
Leave me a not if you found a solution,
lucas1994000@gmail.com
I belong to one of the development team. Backup your Gmail account can prevent you from loss happen due disaster, save your important emails.
Beyond Inbox can prove handy in such situation, it backup your account at local system in eml files, you can restore them in any IMAP supported account.
Supported platform Windows, Mac & Linux for 32 as well as 64 bit computers.
http://www.beyondinbox.com/beyondinbox-download.html
hi ..
the gmail drive is working with perfect in small file without exx…but did not accept exe file s
Gmail drive is a really great concept.. Works pretty good..!