Changes to storage limits
On Dec 18, 2023, ITS announced changes to cloud storage account limits. USC Google Drive accounts will be limited to 100GB, and USC OneDrive accounts will be limited to 250GB for individuals (100GB for iVIPs and shared org accounts). We will update our documentation once we have more details.
For more information, see ITS's page on Google and Microsoft changes.
Overview
This guide reviews the steps for uploading videos to cloud storage and providing viewers with the option to stream (view) the video in their web browser, similar to YouTube or Vimeo, and the option to download the video file to their computer.
Why use Google Drive or Microsoft OneDrive to share videos? Some possible reasons:
- You want to share a Zoom cloud recording with non-USC viewers (USC Zoom cloud recording links only work for USC members)
- You want to make it possible for USC and/or non-USC viewers to download a Zoom cloud recording (USC Zoom cloud recordings cannot be downloaded by anyone who is not the meeting host)
- Your video file size exceeds what's permitted by Outlook, Brightspace, Slack, or whichever service you were originally planning to upload it onto
- You want to skip the hassle of setting up a YouTube, Vimeo, or other videostreaming account
Google Drive vs Microsoft OneDrive
Generally we recommend using Google Drive, but here are some key differences which may cause you to prefer one service over another:
- Google Drive: Unlimited storage space; allows you to disable the "download" option for viewers
- Microsoft OneDrive: 5TB storage space; approved by ITS for storage of certain restricted information
Sharing videos in Google Drive
To share your videos using Google Drive, you'll need to upload the file and then generate a sharing link:
Quick guide
Step 1: Upload the video (typically .mp4 file) to Google Drive
- Sign into https://usc.edu/googledrive using your USC NetID.
- In the upper left corner of the page, click on New.
- Click on File upload.
- Select the video file from your computer and click on Open (Choose for Upload for Mac users).
- The video begins uploading.
- In the bottom right corner of the page, a status message displays upload progress and confirms when complete (a few minutes to an hour, depending on file size and your Internet connection speed).
Step 2: Generate the sharing link
To share the link with specific people:
- Right-click (control key + click for Mac users) on the video file and click on Share…
- Click on Add people and groups and type in the viewer's email address (can be either a USC email address or a non-USC Gmail address).
- Select the email address from the dropdown.
- Click on Editor and select Viewer.
- (Optional) To prevent viewers from downloading:
- In the upper right corner of the "Share with people and groups" panel, click on the gear icon.
- Deselect the checkbox labeled Viewers and commenters can see the option to download, print, and copy.
- To the left of "Share with people settings," click on the back arrow.
- Add a message if desired, and click on Send.
Or, to make the link generally available:
- Right-click (control key + click for Mac users) on the video file and click on Get link.
- Click on Restricted.
- Select University of Southern California (requires viewer to have a USC email address) or Anyone with the link (does not require viewer to have a USC email address or even a non-USC Gmail address).
- (Optional) To prevent viewers from downloading:
- Click on Share with people and groups.
- In the upper right corner of the "Share with people and groups" panel, click on the gear icon.
- Deselect the checkbox labeled Viewers and commenters can see the option to download, print, and copy.
- To the left of "Share with people settings," click on the back arrow.
- Click on Copy link.
- You can now paste this link into Outlook, Gmail, Brightspace, or any other application and send the link to viewers.
Step 3 (optional): Provide your viewer with instructions
If your viewer needs help viewing the video, send them the following link:
Detailed guide (with screenshots)
Step 1: Upload the video (typically .mp4 file) to Google Drive
- Sign into https://usc.edu/googledrive using your USC NetID.
- In the upper left corner of the page, click on New.
- Click on File upload.
- Select the video file from your computer and click on Open (Choose for Upload for Mac users).
- The video begins uploading.
- In the bottom right corner of the page, a status message displays upload progress and confirms when complete (a few minutes to an hour, depending on file size and your Internet connection speed).
Step 2: Generate the sharing link
To share the link with specific people:
- Right-click (control key + click for Mac users) on the video file and click on Share…
- Click on Add people and groups and type in the viewer's email address (can be either a USC email address or a non-USC Gmail address).
- Select the email address from the dropdown.
- Click on Editor and select Viewer.
- (Optional) To prevent viewers from downloading:
- In the upper right corner of the "Share with people and groups" panel, click on the gear icon.
- Deselect the checkbox labeled Viewers and commenters can see the option to download, print, and copy.
- Click on the back arrow.
- Add a message if desired, and click on Send.
Or, to make the link generally available:
- Right-click (control key + click for Mac users) on the video file and click on Get link.
- Click on Restricted.
- Select University of Southern California (requires viewer to have a USC email address) or Anyone with the link (does not require viewer to have a USC email address or even a personal Gmail account).
- (Optional) To prevent viewers from downloading:
- Click on Share with people and groups.
- In the upper right corner of the "Share with people and groups" panel, click on the gear icon.
- Deselect the checkbox labeled Viewers and commenters can see the option to download, print, and copy.
- Click on the back arrow.
- Click on Copy link.
- You can now paste this link into Outlook, Gmail, Brightspace, or any other application and send the link to viewers.
Step 3 (optional): Provide your viewer with instructions
If your viewer needs help viewing the video, send them the following link:
Sharing videos in Microsoft OneDrive
To share your videos using Microsoft OneDrive, you'll need to upload the file and then generate a sharing link:
Quick guide
Step 1: Upload the video (typically .mp4 file) to OneDrive
- Sign into https://usc.edu/onedrive using your USC NetID.
- Click on Upload.
- Click on Files.
- Select the video file from your computer and click on Open (Choose for Upload for Mac users).
- The video begins uploading.
- In the upper right corner of the page, a status message displays upload progress and confirms when complete (a few minutes to an hour, depending on file size and your Internet connection speed).
Step 2: Generate the sharing link
- Click on the video file to select it.
- To the right of the file name, click on the icon with three horizontal dots.
- Click on Manage access.
- A panel opens on the right side of the page. Click on Share.
-
To generate and share the link with specific people:
- Click on To: Name, group or email and type in the viewer's email address (doesn't have to be a USC or even Outlook email address).
- Select the email address from the dropdown.
- Add a message if desired, and click on Send.
-
Or, to generate and make the link generally available to USC viewers:
- Click on People you specify can view.
- Click on People in the University of Southern California with the link.
- Click on Apply.
- Click on Copy link.
- A shareable link is generated. Click on Copy.
- You can now paste this link into Outlook, Gmail, Brightspace, or any other application and send the link to USC viewers.
Step 3 (optional): Provide your viewer with instructions
If your viewer needs help viewing the video, send them the following link:
Detailed guide (with screenshots)
Step 1: Upload your video file (typically an .mp4 file) to OneDrive
- Sign into https://usc.edu/onedrive using your USC NetID.
- Click on Upload.
- Click on Files.
- Select the video file from your computer and click on Open (Choose for Upload for Mac users).
- The video begins uploading.
- In the upper right corner of the page, a status message displays upload progress and confirms when complete (a few minutes to an hour, depending on file size and your Internet connection speed).
Step 2: Generate the sharing link
- Click on the video file to select it.
- To the right of the file name, click on the icon with three horizontal dots.
- Click on Manage access.
- A panel opens on the right side of the page. Click on Share.
-
To generate and share the link with specific people:
- Click on To: Name, group or email and type in the viewer's email address (doesn't have to be a USC or even Outlook email address).
- Select the email address from the dropdown.
- Add a message if desired, and click on Send.
-
Or, to generate and make the link generally available to USC viewers:
- Click on People you specify can view.
- Click on People in the University of Southern California with the link.
- Click on Apply.
- Click on Copy link.
- A shareable link is generated. Click on Copy.
- You can now paste this link into Outlook, Gmail, Brightspace, or any other application and send the link to USC viewers.
Step 3 (optional): Provide your viewer with instructions
If your viewer needs help viewing the video, send them the following link:
Contributor(s): Brandon Chau.