To easily manage and share content across all your devices and the cloud, use Google’s desktop sync client. With Drive for Desktop, you can access your Drive files and folders directly from Windows File Explorer or macOS Finder on your computer.
When you edit, delete, or move a file on the cloud, those changes are automatically reflected on your computer and other devices, and vice versa. This ensures your files are always up to date and accessible from any device.
Use Google Drive for DesktopWhat is Google Drive for Desktop
Google Drive for Desktop is a desktop application that provides quick and easy access to your Google Drive files directly from your computer.
This tool is especially useful for collaborative work, as any changes made are automatically updated and shared with all collaborators.
How to Install & set up Drive for Desktop
Step 1: Download Google Drive for Desktop
Visit the Google Drive Website: Go to the Google Drive download page.
Select the appropriate download link for your operating system (Windows or macOS).
Step 3: Download the Installer
Click the download button to save the installer file to your computer.
Step 4: Install Google Drive for Desktop
Step 5: Run the Installer
Locate the downloaded installer file and double-click to run it.
Step 6: Follow Installation Prompts
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process. This usually involves agreeing to the terms and conditions and selecting an installation location.
Step 7: Sign In to Your Google Account
Open Google Drive for Desktop. After installation, open the Google Drive for Desktop application.
Step 8: Sign In
A sign-in window will appear. Enter your Google account credentials (email and password) and click "Next."
How to Use Google Drive on your Desktop
Step 1: Open Browser
Open your preferred browser and open Google.
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Open Browser
Step 2: Go to Google Drive
Open google grome browser, go to the right-hand side dots and click them. Scroll down and you will find Google drive there.
Basic Configuration and Sync Selections
Step 1: Sign In
Use your Google account to log in to Google Drive for Desktop after installing it.
Step 2: Choose Which Folders to Sync
You will be asked to choose the folders on your computer to sync with Google Drive during setup.
Step 3: Google Drive syncing
Choose Google Drive Sync: Select the option to synchronize files between Google Drive and your PC.
Step 4: Back Up to Google Photos Option
Choose "Back Up to Google Photos" to backup images and videos. Doing this lets you be confident that your media files are kept in Google Photos for simple sharing and access.
How to Upload or Create Files in Google Drive
Uploading via the Drive website
Step 1: Go to the Google Drive website
Either search for Google Drive from Google or get it from Google Workspace.
Step 2: Go to "New"
Go to the top left corner of the screen and click the "New" button, which is shown as "+"
Step 3: Choose File upload
By choosing New, you will see two options: "File upload" to upload a single file or "Folder upload" to upload an entire folder.
Choose File uploadStep 4: Selecting the file
On your PC, locate the file or files you wish to upload.
Selecting the fileStep 5: Tap Upload
Click "Upload" to begin the uploading process.
How to Share and Organize Files in Google Drive
Step 1: Open Google Drive
In the system, visit Google Drive and choose Google Docs by clicking ines on the left corner.
Open Google Drive
Step 2: Click the file
Double-click on the file you want to share.
Click the fileStep 3: Choose file option
You will see the file option in the left corner as you open your file. Select it.
Step 4: Choose "share"
Selecting the file option by scrolling down will show the share option, so tap on it.
Step 5: Copy the link
When you tap on share, you will get two options: you can only see the file and it is restricted to others.
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Copy the linkAnother option is "Anyone with the link", then choose it in the sending process.
Give Access to the documentStep 6: Giving Authority
- By the side of the Restricted option, you will see the Viewer option, which means that whoever you send this file to can only read it but doesn't make any changes.
- The second option is that by clicking on the viewer option, you will see the "Editing" option as well, which tends to give you caregiving editing authority to the other person.
- Third is the Commentor. The person to whom you are sending the file can only add comments but does not edit anything.
Giving Authority
Step 6: Send Files
After tapping on the copy link, you can send that link to anybody you wish to send it.
Send FilesHow to Log out of Google Drive
Step 1: Go to Google Drive
If you haven't downloaded Google Drive, you can visit it by searching for it on Google through its link or directly visiting Google and choosing it from Google Workspace.
Go to Google DriveStep 2: Go to your profile
At the top right, click your Profile picture.
Note:
- Here "D" is your Profile
- You may find the Account image if a photo doesn't appear.
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Go to your profileStep 3: Click Sign out
You will exit from your existing G, Google Drive by clicking on the sign-out option.
Click Sign out
Note:
Choose to sign out account
How to Pause Syncing on Google Drive for Desktop
Step 1: Open Browser
Open your preferred browser and open Google.
Step 2: Tap on Google Drive
After Chrome opens, click the three dots in the upper right corner. Then scroll down; you will find Google Drive there.
Step 3: Find the gear symbol
A small gear icon is in the upper right corner of your Google Drive screen. Cobber, that's the "Settings" menu. To open it, click on it with your mouse.
Step 4: Go to the "General" Tab
The "Settings" menu should include many tabs, including "General," "Sharing," and "Trash." Find and choose the "General" tab.
Step 5: Uncheck "Offline" Option
Now, Locate the "General" area; that's where the magic happens. Scroll the option under "General", then click on "Offline" or something similar, such as "Sync Google Docs, Sheets, Slides & Drawings files to this computer so you can edit offline." Disable the space adjacent to this choice.
Step 6: Await Confirmation
Google Drive will start deleting the local versions of your files that are saved on your device as soon as you uncheck the "Offline" option. Depending on how many files you have offline, this procedure might take a few minutes.
Step 7: Check to See If Offline Sync Is deactivated
Keep an eye on the lower left corner of the screen until Google Drive has finished deleting all of your local copies. There needs to be a notification stating something like "Offline is disabled."
Conclusion
You can easily manage your Google Drive files from your computer by using Google Drive for your Desktop. It optimizes your productivity and makes your data available anywhere at any time with features like automatic syncing, offline access, and simple upload choices. Google Drive for Desktop offers a practical and user-friendly option for managing files or working with others.
After reading this article, you have the skills to use Google Drive on a PC efficiently. Recall that Google Drive also provides robust file-sharing and organizing features, letting you manage access and keep your virtual workspace neat. Take control of your data and enjoy the simplicity of Google Drive for your Desktop!
- Upload via the Drive website: Click "New" on drive.google.com, pick "File upload" or "Folder upload," and then choose the files from your PC.
- Drag-and-drop Upload: Find the files on your computer, open the relevant folder in Google Drive online, then drag & drop them into the Drive window.
- Using Desktop Google Drive: After downloading the program, install it. On your PC, a "Google Drive" folder will appear. Drag and drop your files into this folder to initiate synchronization and upload automatically.
How can I share Google Drive folders and files?
- On your PC, launch the Google Drive application.
- Find the file or folder you wish to authorize others to use.
- To open the file you wish to share, double-click on it. Proceed to the upper menu bar of your screen and search for "File."
- Select "Anyone with the link" to allow access to a larger audience, or input particular email addresses to authorize use.
- Permissions such as "Editor" (which allows editing), "Viewer" (read-only), and "Commenter" (which allows adding comments) can also be specified.
On a desktop computer, how do I log out of Google Drive?
- Open Google's driving app on your browser.
- In the upper right corner, click on your account or profile photo.
- Click the dropdown menu and choose "Sign out." This will log you out of that particular computer's Google Drive.
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