On the Google Drive tab, the Stream files option is selected by default.

One of the benefits of the new desktop program is that you can install it on as many computers as you like and view your files from anywhere.

Once you install the program, you’ll see there are two main screens to the interface: one to pack up folders from your local computer (and any attached drives), and one to set how files already stored in Google Drive are synced to Windows or macOS. You’ll be taken step by step through the setup process, which doesn’t involve much more than logging into your Google account. You can also back up specific folders to Google Drive, including those on external drives.Īt the time of writing, the official Google Drive is still pointing to the old Backup and Sync tool, but you can download the new Google Drive for Desktop software from the Google blog post announcing its arrival. If you only ever use Google Drive on the web, then you can carry on using Google Drive on the web, but the new desktop tool puts your files right into File Explorer or Finder, so you can view and edit them just as you would with something stored locally. You can keep some or all of them stored locally, which is handy for larger files and if there’s ever a problem with your internet connection, and you can quickly upload files such as photos and videos from your computer to the cloud.

The new program makes it easier than ever to access your Drive files from the desktop. Google Drive for DesktopĪs if a widespread security update wasn’t exciting enough, Google is also pushing out a brand new software app for Windows and macOS, replacing the old Backup & Sync tool that you may or may not have ever used (and which itself was a replacement for an even older tool some four years ago). Google’s support document explains everything in detail here. Searching for is:security_update_applied and is:security_update_applied type:folder in Google Drive is another way of seeing whether your files and folders have been updated yet ahead of the September deadline.

Use google drive online