The name change from Drive File Stream to Drive for desktop will take place by default. There is no admin setting for this name change. The beta for the new unified Drive for desktop client will be available soon. Learn more and apply for the beta here. Visit our Help Center to learn about upcoming changes to Google Drive sync clients. Add Google Drive To Windows File Explorer. Unlike the Google Drive app which only worked online, Backup & Sync will create a Google Drive folder right inside the file explorer and let you access the files offline. You can delete or drop files into that folder and the changes take effect in Drive instantaneously.
These files and folders will not sync to Google Drive folder on your computer unless you add them to 'My Drive' or individual folders which you have synced. Following are the steps to Sync Files and Folders of Shared With Me in Google Drive: Make sure you are connected to the internet. Click 'Google Drive' icon on your computer. Hence Google Drive provides a way to pre-define what files can be synced to and from the drive. This write-up shall briefly discuss how we can go about managing the synchronization with Google Drive using Backup and Sync application. How to select folders and files on Computer to sync with Google Drive.
For most of us with Google Backup and Sync application installed on the computer, a lot of our space on the drive is consumed by items you don't need but got synced anyway. This would mean the Google Drive sync settings have not been configured properly. Not all of us can afford to buy extra space on Google drive, and for those who already upgraded Google storage, free space on the drive is a very valuable resource.
Moreover, if your Google Drive is cluttered with unwanted files, it can get quite difficult to keep up with work pace. This clutter will also contain a lot of duplicate files that result in wastage of drive space. Although you can remove these duplicates using a free duplicate file remover for cloud, it is better to change sync settings of Google Drive Backup and Sync application beforehand and avoid all the pain.
Hence Google Drive provides a way to pre-define what files can be synced to and from the drive. This write-up shall briefly discuss how we can go about managing the synchronization with Google Drive using Backup and Sync application.
How to select folders and files on Computer to sync with Google Drive
Google Backup and Sync application has a lot of advantages. You can easily take an online backup of selected folders or files on your computer without your intervention.
However, you might confront problems if you don't shape your Google Drive sync settings right away. Follow these simple steps to sync selected data on your PC to Google Drive:
- Open Backup and Sync application
- Click on three vertical dots that says 'More' and choose preferences
- To the right side of the screen, select the folders you want to sync
- Select Choose folder to add any folder that is not displayed on the list
- Once you have all the files or folders you want to keep syncing, click on OK
- Remove any unwanted files or folders to avoid extra efforts
How to sync specific folders in Google Drive to your computer
If you have files that you continuously want to keep updating across these multiple devices, the easiest way to do it is through Google Drive. You can also work on these files offline.
The same Backup and Sync application can now be configured to make sure this sync process happens appropriately and files from the drive can keep getting synced to your computer.
- Open Backup and Sync application and click on More(three vertical dots)
- Now select preferences and then select Google Drive on the left
- Select the option Sync My Drive to this Computer
- Choose Sync only these folders to specify what to sync
- Now click on OK
How to avoid syncing certain file types on Computer to Google Drive
Google Drive for its simplicity is widely preferred by a lot of professionals from editors to accountants. Some specific applications might generate log files or program files with-in the specified folder, which does not require any backup or sync. Your drive can be kept clear from backing up these specific file types by following the below-mentioned procedure:
- Run Backup and Sync application
- Click on More(three vertical dots) and choose preferences
- Now click on Change to the right side of the screen and select Advanced settings
- Type in the extension of file type that you do not wish to sync and select Add
- Lastly, click on OK to apply changes
How to sync your SD cards and other USB devices to Google Drive
When we think about cloud storage, convenience is the first thing we all look for. Google Backup and Sync application allow you to automatically sync any form of USB storage device to Google Drive. This will mean you no longer have to manually upload your files every time you connect your camera or SD card to the computer.
Use the below tutorial to automatically upload files to Google Drive from a portable storage media:
- Open the application Backup and Sync on your computer
- Select More (three vertical dots) and choose preferences
- Find and click on the option USB devices & SD cards at the bottom of the screen
- Now choose Plug in a camera to backup files
- Finally hit OK to start uploading files to your Google Drive
Google's Backup and Sync tool allows you to sync specific Folder on computer with Google Drive. You may want to use this option, in case you only want to back up specific Folders to Google Drive and not the entire desktop.
Sync Specific Folder On Computer With Google Drive
By default, Google's Backup and Sync tool syncs your entire Desktop, Documents and Pictures Folders to Google Drive.
However, in case you do not like your entire Desktop syncing to Google Drive, it is possible to setup Google's Backup and Sync tool to sync only a specific folder on your computer with Google Drive.
Once any Folder on your computer is synced with Google Drive, any files that you add to the Synced Folder will be copied to your Google Drive account as a backup.
Any changes that you make to Synced Folder (Add, Delete or Modify Files) will get automatically synced with the back of the Folder on Google Drive.
How to Sync Specific Folder on Computer With Google Drive
The first step is to download Backup and Sync tool as available on Google Drive for both Mac and Windows PC.
Once 'Backup and Sync' is downloaded to your computer, launch the tool by clicking on it and it will take you to an information screen. Click on Get Started to start the process of setting up a specific folder on your computer to backup and sync to Google Drive.
On the next screen, Login to your Gmail Account by entering your Gmail User Name and Password. Once you are logged in, you will see an information screen, click on Got it to move to the next step.
On the next screen, you can uncheck Desktop and also uncheck Documents and Pictures Imac pro backlit keyboard. , in case you do not want Pictures and Documents on your computer to be syncing with Google Drive.
After unchecking Desktop and other Folders, click on Choose Folder Link and on the next screen click on the Specific Folder on your computer that you want to Sync with Google Drive.
Once the Folder is selected, you can select Photo and Video upload size to Google Drive (see explanation below) and click on the Next button.
If you choose High Quality, Google will convert uploaded Photos to 16 MP size and in-turn provide you with unlimited Free storage for these photos on Google Drive.
If you choose Original Quality, Photos will be uploaded to Google Drive in the same format as shot by your Camera, but the uploads will count towards your allowed Google Drive storage limit.
On the next screen, uncheck Sync My Drive to this computer option and click on the Start button.
Now, only the Specific Folder that you had selected in above steps will get Synced with your Google Drive Account.
As mentioned above, all the Files that you Add to this specific Folder on your computer will also be available on Google Drive as a backup copy.
Any changes made to the Synced Folder (Add, Delete or Modify Files) will get automatically synced to the backup on Google Drive.
You can take a look at the Google Drive backup of the specific Folder at any time by clicking on the Cloud Icon located in the taskbar and then clicking on the Google Drive icon.
To see the backup, expand the Computer section and click on your computer name.
Google Drive Backup And Sync
On the next screen, uncheck Sync My Drive to this computer option and click on the Start button.
Now, only the Specific Folder that you had selected in above steps will get Synced with your Google Drive Account.
As mentioned above, all the Files that you Add to this specific Folder on your computer will also be available on Google Drive as a backup copy.
Any changes made to the Synced Folder (Add, Delete or Modify Files) will get automatically synced to the backup on Google Drive.
You can take a look at the Google Drive backup of the specific Folder at any time by clicking on the Cloud Icon located in the taskbar and then clicking on the Google Drive icon.
To see the backup, expand the Computer section and click on your computer name.
Google Drive Backup And Sync
Google Drive On Pc Desktop
In case you have more than one computer, you can provide a unique name to each of your computers by renaming them (See image above).