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.

FTPie's Google Cloud Storage connection wizard with the Load from JSON key file button
Load the service-account JSON and FTPie fills in the rest

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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