All the features you need to know in the new Google Drive for Windows and Mac

Google just released a new Google Drive desktop app for Windows and Mac to replace backup and sync tools and Drive File Stream, which will shut down on October 1. Google recommends All users are migrating to the Drive desktop app by September to avoid sync disruption, but don’t bemoan the loss of those old dusty apps.The new Drive for PC combines Backup & Sync and Drive File Stream functionality in one app, and even adds extra functionality from the browser version and the Google Photos app.

Here’s the official side-by-side summary from Google:

Note that the new Drive desktop app isn’t the only way to access your Google Drive on desktop. Drive can also be installed as a Progressive Web Application (PWA), which takes up less space and uses less system resources than the new application. However, the new desktop app has more features and integrates with your local files, storage devices, and programs in a way that the PWA can.‘t. In other words, it looks like the best and most complete Google Drive desktop app yet.

How to install and use the new Drive desktop app

The Google Drive desktop app is now available for Windows and Mac. Download the applicable installation file for your device using the links in Google announcement blog, then follow the onscreen instructions to get started.

After installing the app and signing in with your Google account, your Google Drive will be available as a searchable folder on your computer called “My Drive”. All of your Google Drive files will appear from this folder when you are online or if they are synced with your PC for offline access.

Opening a Google Doc file loads it in the browser by default, but you can also open them in Microsoft Office. If other Google users have access to a file, Microsoft Office, as well as other programs like Excel, will even tell you if another user is editing the file, just like Google Docs.

Other files open with your default desktop application — pictures open in Windows Photo Viewer, for example. These are streamed to your desktop and not saved to the hard drive, saving space.

However, you can click and drag files from the “My Drive” folder to your desktop or other location on your PC to save them locally, or drag and drop files from your PC to the Google Drive folder to upload them to the. cloud. If you are connected to multiple devices at the same time, your files will be synced to all of them simultaneously.

In addition to the dedicated “My Drive” folder, there is also a Google Drive widget accessible from the Windows taskbar or the Mac menu. The widget lists your last Drive activity, including recently uploaded files, and other important notifications.

Clicking on the gear icon in the top right corner of the widget opens the quick settings menu. From there, you can change your local storage folder, switch to a different Google Account, and see other devices you’re signed in to. You can also turn off sync at any time by going to Settings> Pause synchronization. Oh, and if dark mode is enabled in your desktop settings, the widget will automatically switch to its dark theme.

[Ars Technica]