How to Easily Star a Folder in Google Drive in 9 Seconds
Starring folders in Google Drive is one of those small but mighty features that can make a big difference in your productivity and organization. With just a click of a star icon, you can mark important folders for quick access later. But this simple action comes with a whole host of benefits you may not even realize.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through what starring folders in Google Drive does, why it’s so useful, and step-by-step instructions to star a folder in literally 9 seconds. You’ll also learn some power-user tips and tricks to take your use of starred Drive folders to the next level. Let’s get started!
Key Takeaways:
- Starring folders provides easy access from the Google Drive sidebar
- Starred folders sync across devices, providing quick access everywhere
- Starring allows users to visually flag important or priority folders
- Folders can be starred or unstarred in just a few seconds
- Starred folders can be used to organize, share files, and more
Step-by-Step Guide to Starring Folders in Google Drive
Starring a folder in Google Drive is one of the quickest and easiest ways to organize your files. Here’s how it works:
Step 1: Open Google Drive
First, open the Google Drive website by going to drive.google.com. Or open the Google Drive app on your computer or mobile device.
Step 2: Select the Folder You Want to Star
In Google Drive, navigate to the folder you want to star. Right-click on it to open the folder options.
Step 3: Click on the Star Icon
Select “Organize”, then choose the “Add to starred” option
Step 4: Verify the Folder Has Been Starred
Once clicked, the outline star should be filled in with a yellow color, indicating it is now starred. You can also look in the Google Drive sidebar, where starred folders will now be listed in the “Starred” section.
And that’s it! In just a few seconds you’ve successfully starred a folder in Google Drive for easy access later. Let’s look at some ways to leverage this simple feature.
Tips and Tricks for Using Starred Folders
Now that you know how to quickly star Google Drive folders, here are some power-user tips for getting the most out of this feature:
Unstarring Folders
To unstar a folder, just click on the yellow starred icon again. It will revert to an outline and remove that folder from your Starred section.
Find All Starred Folders
Want to see all your starred folders in one place? Open the Google Drive sidebar and click “Starred”. Here you’ll see all files and folders you have starred for quick navigation.
Organize Files with Starred Folders
Because starring folders syncs across devices, you can use stars to organize files by project, client, priority, or anything else. Star key folders to act like tags or categories.
Share Starred Folders with Others
Turn colleagues onto important folders by sharing entire starred folders. The stars will sync on their end as well.
Star Nested Folders
Starring parent folders will not star nested folders inside them. But you can star both parent and nested folders for a nested organization.
Use Color Coded Stars
For more visual organization, double click on a starred folder’s icon to change its color, like red for urgent folders.
Common Issues and Troubleshooting
While starring Google Drive folders is easy, here are some common issues and troubleshooting tips:
Folder Not Appearing in Starred List
If you star a folder but don’t see it in your Starred list, try refreshing the page. Also check it was starred on the actual folder window, not just the enclosing folder.
Star Not Syncing Across Devices
Give starred folders time to sync across devices. Changes should sync within minutes in most cases. Signing out and back in can also force a sync.
Starred Folder Disappearing
If a starred folder seems to randomly unstar itself, make sure someone else didn’t unstar it from their end. Also try re-starring the folder.
Conclusion
While starring folders in Google Drive may seem like a minor feature, take advantage of this easy tool to instantly flag important folders for quick access across devices. In just seconds, you can use stars to organize, share, and always have key folders at your fingertips.
So star your most used Drive folders today to boost productivity! With the tips above, you’ll have mastered the simple but powerful practice.
The following link leads to a Google Drive tutorial from the official Google Drive Help documentation covering additional ways to star and organize folders in Drive:
Use stars to highlight and organize files
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I star a folder in Google Drive?
A: Click on the folder you want to star and then click on the star icon.
Q: How do I unstar a folder in Google Drive?
A: Click on the folder you want to unstar and then click on the star icon again.
Q: How do I find all my starred folders in Google Drive?
A: Click on “Starred” in the left-hand menu to see all your starred folders.
Q: Can I use starred folders to share files with others?
A: Yes, you can share a starred folder with others just like any other folder in Google Drive.
Q: Why should I star folders in Google Drive?
A: Starring folders can help you quickly access important files and improve your overall organization.
Q: What happens if I delete a starred folder in Google Drive?
A: Deleting a starred folder will remove it from your starred list, but it will not delete the folder or its contents.
Q: Can I star a folder on the Google Drive mobile app?
A: Yes, you can star a folder on the mobile app by tapping on the folder and then tapping on the star icon.
Q: How many folders can I star in Google Drive?
A: There is no limit to the number of folders you can star in Google Drive.
Q: How do I know if a folder is starred in Google Drive?
A: A starred folder will have a yellow star icon next to it.
Q: Can I use starred folders to organize my files in Google Drive?
A: Yes, you can use starred folders to group together important files and improve your overall organization in Google Drive.
