How to Download and Install Google Drive for Desktop
Google Drive is a popular online storage service that lets you store and access your files from any device. But did you know that you can also use Google Drive on your desktop computer? With Google Drive for desktop, you can sync your files between the cloud and your computer, open files directly from your computer, back up your photos, collaborate on Microsoft Office files, and more. In this article, we will show you how to download and install Google Drive for desktop, how to use its features, and some tips and tricks to make the most of it.
What is Google Drive for Desktop and Why You Need It
Google Drive for desktop is an app that lets you access your Google Drive files and folders on your computer with Windows File Explorer or macOS Finder. It also lets you sync folders from your computer to Google Drive or backup to Google Photos. When you sync, your files download from the cloud and upload from your computers hard drive. After you sync, your computer's files match those in the cloud. Your files stay up to date and accessible, any change you make applies across devices.
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Some of the benefits of using Google Drive for desktop are:
You can save storage space on your computer by streaming files from the cloud instead of downloading them.
You can open files stored on the cloud directly on your computer without using a browser.
You can save files and folders for offline use, including files from shared drives.
You can collaborate on Microsoft Office files in real time with other users.
You can extend the power of Drive with third-party apps.
How to Download Google Drive for Desktop
To download Google Drive for desktop, follow these steps:
Go to and click Download under Drive for desktop.
Select DOWNLOAD FOR WINDOWS or DOWNLOAD FOR MAC, depending on your operating system.
A file named GoogleDriveSetup.exe (for Windows) or GoogleDrive.dmg (for Mac) will be downloaded to your computer. Open it and follow the on-screen instructions.
How to Install Google Drive for Desktop
To install Google Drive for desktop, follow these steps:
After you open the downloaded file, a window will appear asking you to sign in with your Google account. Enter your email address and password, then click Next.
A window will appear asking you to choose how you want to use Google Drive for desktop. You can choose between Stream files to free up space or Sync files to your computer. The first option lets you stream files from the cloud without downloading them, while the second option lets you sync files between your computer and the cloud. Choose the option that suits your needs and click Next.
A window will appear asking you to choose which folders you want to sync or stream. You can select all folders or specific folders from My Drive and Shared drives. You can also change the location of the Google Drive folder on your computer. Click Start when you are done.
A window will appear showing the progress of the installation. Wait until it is complete, then click Close.
A Google Drive icon will appear on your taskbar (for Windows) or menu bar (for Mac). Click it to open Google Drive for desktop and access your files.
How to Use Google Drive for Desktop
Google Drive for desktop has many features and functions that you can use to manage your files and folders. Here are some of the main ones:
To open a file from Google Drive on your computer, double-click it in the Google Drive folder. It will open in the default app for that file type, such as Microsoft Word, Adobe Photoshop, or VLC Media Player.
To upload a file or folder to Google Drive from your computer, drag and drop it into the Google Drive folder. It will sync to the cloud and be available on other devices.
To share a file or folder with someone else, right-click it in the Google Drive folder and select Share with Google Drive. A window will appear where you can enter the email addresses of the people you want to share with, choose their access level (view, comment, or edit), and add a message. Click Send when you are done.
To view or change the settings of Google Drive for desktop, click the Google Drive icon on your taskbar or menu bar and select Preferences. A window will appear where you can adjust various options, such as syncing, streaming, notifications, backup, and more.
Tips and Tricks for Google Drive for Desktop
Here are some tips and tricks to help you make the most of Google Drive for desktop:
To save storage space on your computer, you can stream files from the cloud instead of syncing them. To do this, go to Preferences > Syncing > Stream files to free up space. You can also choose which folders to stream or sync by going to Preferences > Syncing > Choose folders.
To access your Google Drive files offline, you can save them for offline use. To do this, right-click a file or folder in the Google Drive folder and select Available offline. A checkmark will appear next to it. You can also see which files are available offline by going to Preferences > Offline Files.
To collaborate on Microsoft Office files with other users, you can use Google Workspace plugins for Microsoft Office. To do this, go to and download the plugin for your version of Office. After installing it, you can open Office files from Google Drive on your computer and edit them in real time with other users.
To extend the power of Drive with third-party apps, you can use Google Workspace Marketplace. To do this, go to and browse or search for apps that work with Drive. You can find apps for various purposes, such as editing images, creating diagrams, signing documents, and more.
Conclusion
In this article, we have shown you how to download and install Google Drive for desktop, how to use its features, and some tips and tricks to make the most of it. Google Drive for desktop is a powerful app that lets you access your Google Drive files and folders on your computer with ease. It also lets you sync folders from your computer to Google Drive or backup to Google Photos. You can also open files directly from your computer, save files for offline use, collaborate on Microsoft Office files, and extend the power of Drive with third-party apps. If you haven't tried it yet, we recommend you download it today and see how it can improve your productivity and workflow.
FAQs
What are the system requirements for Google Drive for desktop?
To use Google Drive for desktop, you need to have a computer that meets the following system requirements:
Operating system
Minimum requirements
Windows
Windows 7 and up. .NET Framework 4.5.2 or higher.
Mac
El Capitan (10.11) and up.
How much storage space does Google Drive for desktop use?
The amount of storage space that Google Drive for desktop uses depends on the option you choose for syncing or streaming files. If you choose to stream files, Google Drive for desktop will use a small amount of disk space to cache some of your files for faster access. You can change the cache size by going to Preferences > Syncing > Cache size. If you choose to sync files, Google Drive for desktop will use the same amount of disk space as the files you sync. You can change the folders you sync by going to Preferences > Syncing > Choose folders.
How can I access my Google Drive files offline?
To access your Google Drive files offline, you need to save them for offline use. To do this, right-click a file or folder in the Google Drive folder and select Available offline. A checkmark will appear next to it. You can also see which files are available offline by going to Preferences > Offline Files. When you are offline, you can open and edit your offline files as usual. When you are online again, your changes will sync to the cloud.
How can I collaborate on Microsoft Office files with Google Drive for desktop?
To collaborate on Microsoft Office files with Google Drive for desktop, you need to use Google Workspace plugins for Microsoft Office. To do this, go to and download the plugin for your version of Office. After installing it, you can open Office files from Google Drive on your computer and edit them in real time with other users. You can also see their comments and suggestions, and save your changes to the cloud.
How can I troubleshoot errors in Google Drive for desktop?
If you encounter any errors or issues in Google Drive for desktop, you can try the following steps to fix them:
Check your internet connection and make sure it is stable and fast.
Check your disk space and make sure you have enough free space on your computer.
Check your sync settings and make sure they are correct and up to date.
Check your file names and make sure they do not contain any invalid characters or exceed the maximum length.
Check your antivirus or firewall settings and make sure they do not block or interfere with Google Drive for desktop.
Restart Google Drive for desktop or your computer and see if the problem persists.
Contact Google support or visit the help center for more assistance.
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