Google Backup & Sync. Traditional Google Drive folder in user root + Computer Backups. Drive File Stream. Creates a dedicated drive on your computer that drive files are streamed to. Google now plans to update Drive File Stream in April with M1 support. Backup and Sync works with Google Drive and Photos. It’s a fairly standard client that lets you sync all (or just some of.
You can store your files in the cloud with Google Drive. You can also install the desktop and mobile application to access your files from your computer or Android or iOS mobile device. Google Drive's built-in sync capability ensures that your files, folders, and Google Docs are the same on all your devices.
Full screenshot mac. You can use Google Drive File Stream to stream My Drive and Shared drives files directly from the cloud. This desktop application allows you to open and edit most document types directly out of Drive File Stream without having to download the file onto your computer. When you make edits to the file, the changes are automatically saved in My Drive.
Please note that if you are working with a group of colleagues, Google Shared drives is designed for collaborative efforts and may fit your needs better.
Note: With the launch of Drive File Stream in September 2017, Google will begin the process of deprecating the Google Drive for Mac/PC sync tool. Support for the tool ends on December 11, 2017 and the application will no longer be available starting March 12, 2018. As an alternative to Google Drive for Mac/PC, you can use the Backup and Sync tool from Google.
Google Docs editors are built in to Google Drive. The Google Docs collaboration suite includes Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms, and Drawings.
Features
Unlimited free storage space
You can upload 750 GB of data per day.
You can upload files up to 5 TB in size.
If a single file exceeds the 750 GB daily limit, that file will upload. Subsequent files will not upload until the daily upload limit resets the next day.
Works on PC and Mac computers and iOS and Android mobile devices.
Built-in sync capability ensures that your files, folders, and Google Docs are the same on all your devices.
Powerful search capability.
Google Drive links can replace email attachments, providing access to the same file.
Designed for
Current faculty, staff, and students.
Requirements
A full-service SUNet ID.
See the system requirements page if you want to install Google Drive on your computer or mobile device.
Data security
Google Drive can be used to store Low, Moderate, and High Risk Data, as defined by the Information Security Office, with the exception of Protected Health Information (PHI).
Rates
Free of charge.
Get started
See Use Google Drive.
Get help
For assistance, please submit a Help ticket.
Learn more
See also
Adobe pdf 11 pro. Google Drive is undoubtedly the most popular cloud storage service out there. The service comes by default on all Android devices, and Google offers a generous 15GB of storage to begin with. Similar to Dropbox and OneDrive, Google Drive offers a tool called Backup & Sync for Windows and Mac. For G Suite (Now Google Workplace) users, the search giant provides the Drive File Stream app.
Backup and Sync app seamlessly replicates the folders on your computer to your Google Drive, and vice versa. The method's problem is that the folders that you sync with the Backup and Sync app stay offline on the device. Meaning, it will consume the storage on your PC or Mac. Drive File Stream aims to tackle the issue.
Drive File Stream does things differently by letting you access your computer's file browser instead of locally downloading your content. In a way, it functions like a NAS, partially if not completely.
Drive Stream used to be limited to only G Suite accounts. Google wants to extend these features to regular Drive accounts as well. Anyone with a Google account can set up and use File Drive Stream on Windows or Mac.
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Setup Google Drive File Stream
If your Windows or Mac laptop has low storage and you are a power user of Google Drive, I will strongly recommend giving a shot to Drive File Stream. Follow the steps to set up Drive File Stream.
Step 1: Download and Install Drive File Stream using the link below.
Download Google Drive File Stream for WindowsDownload Google Drive File Stream for Mac
Step 2: Open the downloaded file and go through the usual setup process.
Step 3: Sign in using your Google account credential, and you are good to go.
From now on, you will see Google Drive File Stream disk in the Windows File Manager. Unlike Backup & Sync, there is no way to sync selected folders on the device. Drive File Stream will mirror your entire Google Drive account to the File Manager.
Drive File Stream Features
Drive File Stream is a convenient way to save space on your computer, especially if you work on many shared folders that you don't need to keep on your computer.
Drive File Stream allows you to download the content you need locally to work on it when you're offline. This means the content remains accessible but doesn't take up local storage space unless you specifically download and sync the folders and files you need to access offline.
When you are working with offline files, you can make changes to the file, and Drive File Stream will sync the changes once your computer gets connected to the internet connection.
In theory Drive File Stream looks like a winning solution compared to Backup and Sync but wait, the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. Let me warn you with some of the disadvantages of using Drive File Stream.
Limitations of Drive File Stream
Your entire Google Drive is virtually available to anyone using the PC. Both Backup & Sync and OneDrive offer the users to sync selected folders to the PC. So you can exclude a folder containing sensitive files or information. It’s not possible with Drive File Stream.
You can’t sync other PC folders such as Documents or Desktop to Drive File Stream. You have to use the older method of manually uploading stuff to Google Drive.
There is no Google Photos integration. You will have to rely on Google Photos web to manage/download photos.
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Customize Drive File Stream
Google does offer quite a few customization options in Drive File Stream.
By default, the File Drive Stream app is represented by a G letter in the File manager. You can change it to X or some other alphabetical letter from the Settings app.
Tap on the upper arrow in the Windows Taskbar and click on the Drive File Stream icon. Tap on Settings at the upper right corner and go to Preferences.
You will notice the Default drive letter option. Tap on it and change the letter name.
If you are working on a tight data pack, then you might want to pause the Drive syncing in the background. Open the Drive File Stream app and select Settings > Pause syncing to halt the sync process temporarily.
Users can also limit the download rate and bandwidth usage from the Network Settings option in the app preference.
My Brief Experience With Drive File Stream
Being an OneDrive user, I always missed functions equivalent to Files on-demand on Google Drive. Drive File Stream close the crucial gap for me. I can now view the entire Google Drive folder in the File manager and completely avoid the web interface.
After using Drive File Stream and comparing it to Back up and Sync, I don’t think I can go back to using the old ways to sync Google Drive on PC. My guess is, after the initial testing with personal Gmail users, Google will combine both the tools and offer something that’s right on par with OneDrive and Dropbox.
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Use Google Drive Like a Pro
Drive File Stream is the must-have utility for power users. If you are looking to get maximum out of Google Drive experience, then give it a try on Windows or Mac. Set up Drive File Stream and share your opinions in the comments section below.
Next up:If you want to know more about the current Backup and Sync tool then read the post below.
The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.
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