Google Streamlines Desktop File Sync Services Into One Drive App

Google has announced plans to move users of its consumer desktop file sync service, Backup and Sync, to a new unified app that consumers and business customers can use called Drive for Desktop. Google plans to start onboarding users next week, July 19, 2021, and is encouraging people who have used Backup and Sync to make the switch by the end of September, before being blocked on October 1.

Backup and sync users will need to upgrade to the new app (a renamed version of Google’s enterprise file sync software), but business customers who already use Drive File Stream (aka Drive for PC) should be good to go. , according to Google. The goal of application consolidation, according to Google, is to create “a powerful, unified sync client” with the best features of consumer and business services that should be simpler to use and more manageable for users. IT teams. This includes a reversal of Google’s confused decision to split desktop Google Drive into two apps in 2017.

Image: Google

According to the Google blog post explaining the Desktop Drive client, the app should be fairly familiar to anyone who has used Google’s previous services. Drive will provide easy access to files and photos stored in the cloud, and sync any files you choose in the background so they’re always up to date. Google says the app can sync external storage devices like flash drives with Drive, mirror files between Drive and local files on your desktop, and let you choose whether you store photos and videos. individual files in Drive or Google Photos.

Google will begin the Backup & Sync user transition on Monday, July 19. Here is the following transition timeline for users, from Google:

July 19, 2021: Backup and Sync to Support Guided Workflow to Help Users Transition to Desktop Drive

August 18, 2021: All users who still use backup and sync will start receiving in-product notifications prompting them to switch to Drive for desktop.

October 1, 2021: Any users still on Backup & Sync after this point will no longer be able to log into Backup & Sync. To continue syncing with Drive and / or Google Photos, users will need to switch to Desktop Drive.