How To Make Your Own Cloud Storage: The Simplest, Easiest Method To Store Files

How To Make Your Own Cloud Storage

You may have heard of cloud storage before and maybe even used it at some point. But perhaps you’ve never thought about how to make your own cloud storage. If you’re not familiar with the term, “the cloud” is a colloquial term for internet-accessible servers that store data for users. For example, services like Dropbox or Google Drive are cloud storage solutions that let users upload files from their computers and access them from anywhere in the world with an internet connection. That said, creating your own personal cloud storage space isn’t as complicated as you may think! With the right tools and a little bit of time, anyone can set up their very own personal cloud storage system. If this piques your interest, keep reading to learn more about how to make your own cloud storage!

How To Make Your Own Cloud Storage

1. Choose a name

You’ll need to pick a name for your new cloud storage space. This is the only step that’s required. You can choose anything you want, as long as it isn’t already taken. The name of your cloud storage space doesn’t have to have any particular meaning or significance to you. However, if you want people to know what it is, consider something catchy and memorable like “My Cloud,” “My Drive,” or “The Dumpster.”

2. Choose a file type

Next, you need to choose the type of files that will be stored in your cloud storage space. Think about what types of files you would like to store there and pick a file type that allows for all of those types of files. For example, if you plan on storing .jpg photos in your cloud space, then choose a file type that supports images (.jpg). If you plan on sharing videos with others online, then choose something with video support like .mp4 or .avi formats (.mp4 is preferred because it can be opened by more media players). If you don’t know what file types are supported by your chosen program or service provider, contact them and ask! It may surprise you how many will be happy to help!

3. Upload your files

Next up is uploading all of the files that will be stored in the cloud storage space! This is where things can get a little tricky. You’ll need to upload your files in the same manner you would if you were uploading them to a regular computer. That means that all of your files will need to be transferred into the cloud storage space via an online service. For example, if you’re using Dropbox, then upload all of your files by opening the Dropbox website in a web browser and selecting “Upload” from the drop-down menu on the top right corner. If you’re using Google Drive, then use their “Add folder” feature to upload your files (.docx, .xlsx, .pdf, .ppt and .pptx files are supported). Once you have all of your files uploaded, they will automatically be stored in your cloud storage space!

4. Access and manage your files

Once you have everything uploaded to your cloud storage space, it will be just as easy for you to access those files as it would be for them to be stored on a local computer! All you need is an internet connection and access to any programs or services that support accessing cloud storage spaces (for example: Dropbox).

5. Use file sharing features

Cloud storage spaces can also come with built-in file sharing features! That means that once they are uploaded into the space they can be accessed by other people who have access too! If one person has access to it, everyone else has access too!

6. Use cloud storage space as a backup location

Cloud storage spaces can also be used as a backup location for your files! If you have a lot of data that you don’t want to lose, then use cloud storage spaces as an additional backup location. You can make copies of your files and store them in the cloud space along with your original data. Once you’ve uploaded everything from your computer to the cloud, then it will be just as easy for you to access those files from anywhere!

7. Share files with other people

One of the best things about cloud storage spaces is that they allow for sharing! That means that if you have access to another person’s cloud storage space, then all of their files will be visible to you too! For example: If I have access to my friend’s Google Drive account, then I can see all of her documents and photos stored in her account. Similarly, if I had access to my friend’s Dropbox account, then I would be able to see all of her files and documents stored there too! That means that if we both wanted the same file (such as a specific document), we could both use it without having our own copies on our own computer or devices! This is especially useful when working with large amounts of data (such as photographs or videos). They can easily be shared between friends by using one person’s cloud storage space and then sharing the file with the other person.

Why Would You Want To Make Your Own Cloud Storage?

1. More control over your files

When you have access to your own cloud storage space, then you can delete any file that you want. That means you can delete the files you don’t need anymore on your own computer or device and free up valuable space! However, if you only have access to someone else’s cloud storage space, then they will be able to delete any file that they want! That means that if I wanted to share a file with my friend and she wanted it deleted from her Google Drive account, then she would be able to do so without me being able to do anything about it. I wouldn’t even know about it until after the fact!

2. More security over your files

If you have access only to your own cloud storage space, then anyone who has access to that same computer or device will be able to read all of the files stored in your account. That means that if I had access only to my friend’s Google Drive account (such as when we were both using our computers at home), then anyone who had access would be able to see all of her files and documents (such as a document she had been working on). Since they would have full access, they could also modify them (such as by adding their name into the document or deleting some of the information). This is especially important when dealing with large amounts of data (such as photographs or videos). If someone has full control over those files, then they can do anything they want with them!

3. More secure sharing of files

When you have your own cloud storage space, then you are able to control who has access to that space. That means that if I wanted to share a file with my friend and she wanted it deleted from her Google Drive account, then I would be able to do so without her being able to delete it from her account! That also means that if she wanted to share a file with me, then I would be able to do so without her having the original file stored on her own computer or device! This is especially important when dealing with large amounts of data (such as photographs or videos). If someone has full control over those files, then they can do anything they want with them!

Which Tools Do You Need?

1. A Google account

If you don’t have a Google account, then you will not be able to use the Google Drive tool. However, if you already have one – such as in the form of Gmail or Google+ – then you can just sign in with that account and your files will already be stored there!

2. A computer or device that has access to the Internet

If you don’t have access to the Internet, then you won’t be able to use the tool. However, if you do have access to it (such as through a Wi-Fi network) and are using it on your computer or smartphone, then it will work just fine!

3. 100 MB of free storage space

If you don’t have any space on your computer or device to store files, then you won’t be able to use the tool. However, if you have 100 MB of free space on your computer or device (such as via a cloud storage service such as Dropbox), then you should be able to use the tool!

Wrapping Up

Cloud storage solutions have many advantages, but you might want to consider making your own if you want more control over your data or if you’re wary of trusting a third party with your sensitive information. While there are many online tools that will let you create a cloud storage solution, we recommend Nextcloud. It’s an open-source platform that offers a ton of functionality and has a large support community. Then read on to learn how to set up Nextcloud for your very own self-hosted cloud storage solution!

Erik McKenzie
Erik is an expert in technology trends and writes tech tips on blogs. He has a passion for helping people understand new technologies and how they can be used to improve their lives.