How to install Google Drive for desktop to access and sync your files.
Have your team members ever complained about how slow it is to download large design or video files from the web, work on them locally, and manually upload them back?
When you run a business, clunky file management kills productivity. You just want your team to be able to access, save, and sync their files directly with Google Drive, all natively on their computers without the friction of a web browser.
The straightforward fix is installing Google Drive for desktop. By doing this, you can access and sync all your company data with Google Drive directly through File Explorer on Windows or Finder on a Mac.
It feels exactly like using a regular folder on your computer, but everything is safely backed up and continuously synchronised to your Google Workspace in the background. It is an incredibly easy way to manage your files, especially if you deal with large formats that take ages to upload via the web interface.
How to install Drive for Desktop
Ready to get things set up? Here is the quickest way to get your files synced with Google Drive and accessible on your computer:
Open your web browser and head over to drive.google.com.
Click the settings icon in the top right-hand corner and select 'Get Drive for desktop'.
If you don't see this option, it may have been disabled by your Google Workspace admin.
Download the installer file and run it on your computer.
Click 'Sign in' and enter your Google Workspace account details to link the program to your Google Drive.
On the welcome screen, you will be asked whether you want to automatically back up local folders (such as your desktop) to Google Drive.
Once finished, open File Explorer (on a Windows PC) or Finder (on a Mac).
Look for the new 'Google Drive' location in your sidebar. Click it, and you will see your 'My Drive' and 'Shared drives' right there, ready to be used.
You can now easily add, delete and modify these files, like any other files stored on your computer. The only difference is that changes you make will be synchronised with your Google Drive on the web and any other devices you have installed Google Drive on.
Streaming vs Mirroring: What is the difference?
When setting up the app, you will be asked to choose between two sync methods for your files with Google Drive: streaming or mirroring.
Streaming files: This is the ideal option for most team members. Your files are safely stored in Google Drive, and you can view and access them directly from your computer. They only take up hard drive space when you actively open them.
Mirroring files: This downloads a physical copy of every file in your Google Drive to your computer's hard drive. It is handy if you have team members who regularly travel and need guaranteed access to files without an internet connection, but be warned—it will eat up hard drive space very quickly.
FAQs about Google Drive for Desktop
Will installing Google Drive for desktop fill up my computer's hard drive?
Not if you choose the 'Stream files' option. Streaming keeps your files in the cloud and only downloads them temporarily when you actively open them. This saves space on your local storage while keeping everything easily accessible.
Can my team members use Google Drive for desktop without an internet connection?
Yes. If they need offline access, perhaps for working on a train or a flight, they can right-click specific files and folders to make them 'available offline' while streaming. Alternatively, they can choose the 'Mirror files' option to keep a physical copy of everything on their computer.
What happens if a team member deletes a file from the local Google Drive folder?
Because the folder is continuously synchronised with the cloud, deleting a file from the Google Drive folder on your computer will also delete it from your Google Workspace for everyone else. If you partner with Kimbley IT, we include a Google Workspace backup service as part of your IT and assistance package.
Make file management effortless
Installing Google Drive on your computer makes it effortless for you and your team to access, save, and synchronise files with Google Workspace. It simply makes file management faster and more intuitive.
If you'd like an expert to help you implement this, the next step is to book a video call with us using the form below.
