How to Set Up Shared Drives for a Small Business

Shared drives let your team access, edit and collaborate on files from anywhere — and ensure business files are not trapped on a single person's laptop. Here are the options for Australian small busin

Option 1: Microsoft SharePoint — for Microsoft 365 users

Included in Microsoft 365 Business Standard. Provides a central file library accessible by all staff. Files sync to each user's computer via the OneDrive app and appear in File Explorer as a normal folder.

Option 2: OneDrive for Business — simple shared folders

Each Microsoft 365 user gets 1TB personal OneDrive plus SharePoint team folders. Right-click any OneDrive folder → Share → enter a colleague's email.

Option 3: Google Shared Drives — for Google Workspace users

Files live in the organisation's storage — not tied to an individual's account — so they remain if a staff member leaves.

Option 4: NAS (Network-Attached Storage) for local office

A Synology or QNAP NAS device on your office network provides shared storage without internet dependency. Good for large file volumes.

Set permissions correctly

Restrict sensitive files (HR, finance) to only the staff who need access. Both Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace have straightforward folder-level permission settings.

Set up automatic backup

Never rely on shared drives as the only copy of important files. Configure version history and set up an external backup.

When to call a technician

TechFix Pro sets up Microsoft 365 SharePoint, OneDrive, Google Workspace and NAS shared storage for small businesses across Western Sydney.

Call 0434 358 263 WhatsApp

Frequently asked questions

What is the best shared drive for a small business in Australia?

Microsoft SharePoint (in Microsoft 365 Business Standard at $22/user/month) or Google Shared Drives (Google Workspace Business Starter at $10.80/user/month).

Can staff access shared drives when working from home?

Yes — both Microsoft SharePoint/OneDrive and Google Shared Drives are cloud-based and accessible from any device with internet.

How much storage do small businesses need?

Microsoft 365 Business Standard provides 1TB OneDrive per user plus shared SharePoint storage. Google Workspace provides 30GB per user pooled.