A method and apparatus for performing file services using cloud computing comprises receiving, from a client computer, at least one parameter of a file resident on the client computer and a task to be performed upon the file. In view of the task, creating a virtual file based on the at least one parameter of the file, and dividing the virtual file into a plurality of data chunks. The method identifies a byte range within the virtual file associated with the task and at least one corresponding data chunk from the plurality of data chunks that is within the byte range. The method requests the corresponding data chunk(s) from the client computer, receives the corresponding data chunk(s) from the client, processes the corresponding data chunk(s) in accordance with the task, and sends the processed corresponding data chunk(s) to the client computer.