Local & Cloud Storage

Digital files can be stored either locally on a physical storage device (e.g., your computer, a portable SSD, or a USB flash drive) or in the cloud through an online storage service (e.g., OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox). Both options have advantages depending on your workflow, file size, and collaboration needs.

Comparing Storage Options

Comparison of local and cloud-based storage.
Feature	Local Storage	Cloud Storage
Stored On	Computer, SSD, hard drive, USB drive, SD card, or disc.	Online storage managed by a service provider.
Speed	Typically faster because files are stored on the device.	Depends on your internet connection.
Access	Usually limited to the device the files are stored on.	Available from multiple devices after signing in.
Best For	Editing large multimedia projects.	Backing up files, sharing content, and collaboration.
Examples	Internal SSD, external hard drive, USB drive, SD card.	OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox, Adobe Creative Cloud.

Best Practice: Edit multimedia projects from a fast local drive whenever possible, then copy completed projects to cloud storage for backup or sharing. Editing directly from removable drives or cloud-synced folders can slow performance and increase the risk of missing media.

Instructions: View Available Storage

Large video, image, and audio projects can quickly consume storage space. Keeping enough free space available helps maintain your computer's performance and reduces the likelihood of running into storage-related issues while editing.

Review the steps below for checking available storage on your operating system.

View Available Storage on Mac

View Available Storage on Windows

UCF Storage

UCF faculty and staff receive 1 TB of Microsoft OneDrive storage, making it an excellent option for backing up files, accessing content across devices, and collaborating with colleagues. Other common cloud storage services include Google Drive, Dropbox, and Adobe Creative Cloud.

Explore More Guides

Return to the module overview to browse additional File & Asset Management guides and resources.

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