Google Gmail users can now preview attachments before downloading

Google is updating Gmail so that users can quickly preview files attached to emails they receive by using Google Drive.

The tech company said it is updating its email service so that when users receive emails with files attached, small thumbnail previews of each file will be visible at the bottom of the email. Users can click on each thumbnail to get a full-size preview of each file.

“You’re probably used to downloading email attachments, but each of those files takes time to download, eats up space on your device, and can get buried deep inside your ‘Downloads’ folder,” Google said in a blog post announcing the new feature. “With today’s update to Gmail, you can skip that whole process. Instead, you can view attachments.”

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Users can also click on each file’s Google Drive icon, which looks similar to the recycling symbol, to save the attachment directly into their Google Drive account. That’s a feature devoted Google Drive users will appreciate.

Users who want to download their attachments to their computers can simply click on the icon of a downward facing arrow to get their files.

Google said the new feature will begin rolling out to Gmail users over the next few days.

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