Feature • Last updated: July 2026

Google Cloud Storage Client for Windows

Browse and manage Google Cloud Storage buckets from a real Windows file manager - in the same window as your clouds, FTP servers and NAS.

Google Cloud Storage is built for services, not people - the console and gsutil are the usual ways in. FTPie connects a GCS bucket as an ordinary storage account so you can browse it like a folder, next to your Google Drive, your SFTP servers and your NAS.

The fiddly part is normally the service-account key. FTPie takes the JSON file Google gives you and fills in the rest - one button, and you're connected.

What you'll need

  • A service-account JSON key - it contains the account email, a private key and the project ID
  • A bucket that already exists in that project
  • A Storage role on the service account (Storage Admin, or at least Storage Object Admin plus bucket listing)

Where to get your service-account key

  1. Open the Google Cloud console and go to IAM & Admin -> Service Accounts.
  2. Create a service account (or pick one) and grant it a Storage role such as Storage Admin.
  3. Open the account, go to the Keys tab, and choose Add key -> Create new key -> JSON.
  4. The JSON file downloads - that's everything FTPie needs.

How to connect in FTPie

  1. Add a new storage and choose Google Cloud Storage (under Enterprise Storage).
  2. Click Load from JSON key file and select the file you downloaded - FTPie fills in the service-account email, private key and project ID.
  3. Click Test connection, and save. Your buckets appear as top-level folders.

Prefer to paste the fields by hand? You can - but the private key in the JSON is escaped, so loading the file is the reliable route.

What you can do

  • Browse buckets and objects in a familiar dual-pane view
  • Upload, download and drag-and-drop with a resumable transfer queue
  • Move data between GCS and another storage with no local copy in between
  • Edit an object in place with the built-in editors
  • Share a file by signed link without making the bucket public

Good to know about object storage

  • "Folders" are name prefixes, not real directories. FTPie shows them as folders; under the hood a folder is a shared prefix on object names.
  • Share links are for files and are time-limited (V4 signed URLs, up to 7 days). There's no link for a whole folder.
  • Buckets must exist already - create the first one in the Google Cloud console.
  • Previews download the object - object storage has no server-side thumbnails.

Common questions

How do I create a service-account key?

Google Cloud console -> IAM & Admin -> Service Accounts -> create -> grant a Storage role -> Keys -> Add key -> Create new key -> JSON.

Why does it ask for a Project ID?

Listing buckets is a project-level operation. It's in the JSON key file, and the Load button fills it in for you.

My key lists no buckets - why?

Usually the service account is from the wrong project or lacks a Storage role. Check the Project ID and grant at least Storage Object Admin.

Is it free in FTPie?

Google Cloud Storage is part of FTPie Pro (with a 14-day trial). See the plan comparison.

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