GMail Drive

GMail Drive Logo

GMail Drive is a free namespace extension ("add-on") for Microsoft Windows. It allows a user to access a virtual drive stored in a Gmail e-mail account by causing the contents of the Gmail account to appear as a new network share on the user's workstation. In order to use this add-on, a user needs a Gmail e-mail account. The add-on enables a user to use the normal Windows desktop file copy and paste commands to transfer files to and from the Gmail account as if it were a drive on the user's computer.

Function

GMail Drive in Windows XP

GMail Drive uses the inbox of the users Gmail account to store files. Consequently, restrictions on the Gmail service are also enforced when using Gmail Drive. For example, users are not able to upload files greater than 10 MB. In the past, Gmail also prevented users from transferring certain file types, such as an executable or zip archive. Some users bypassed this restriction by renaming the file extension.

Multiple computers can connect to one Gmail account thus allowing GMail Drive to act as a multi-user file server.

For GMail Drive to operate, the user's computer must be connected to the Internet and must have access to Gmail. A broadband connection is preferable though not necessary. Gmail Drive periodically checks the mail account (using the Gmail search function) to see if new files have arrived and to rebuild the virtual drive's directory structures.

Caveats

GMail Drive is an experimental package that depends on but is not provided by Google. Changes in Google's Gmail system may render Gmail Drive temporarily or permanently inoperable.

Google's terms of service for Gmail do not explicitly ban or permit Gmail Drive, shell namespace extensions, or the use of Gmail space for files other than email.

Heavy use of a GMail Drive can trigger at least a temporary suspension by Google [1].

Our system indicates unusual usage of your account. In order to protect Gmail users from potentially harmful use of Gmail, this account has been disabled for up to 24 hours.
If you are using any third party software that interacts with your Gmail account, please disable it or adjust it so that its use complies with the Gmail Terms of Use. If you feel that you have been using your Gmail account according to the Terms of Use or otherwise normally, please contact us using this form to report this problem.