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Home → Math IT Support → Google Apps → Setting Up Google Drive for Desktop to Replace Backup and Sync

5.2. Setting Up Google Drive for Desktop to Replace Backup and Sync

If you have determined that you are using Backup and Sync from Google (See this article for more info: https://ua-math-dept.helpspot.com/ITSupport/index.php?pg=kb.page&id=494 ) and need to switch to Google Drive for Desktop, follow these steps.  (These are for Windows 10)

• Right click on the Backup and Sync Cloud symbol and choose Get Started

• Sign in with your @math.arizona.edu and corresponding password

• It will proceed to check for folders that were backing up or syncing in the current system.

 

 

• This next step is important.  The "My Drive" it is referring to is  your Google Drive (in the "cloud").  When you go to drive.google.com in your web browser, it is here:

 

• This is potentially a lot of files.  You probably don't want to have a duplicate copy of them on your local hard drive.  Therefore, in the next step you should probably choose Stream
  • Here is some more info on the difference between Stream and Mirror:
    • When you mirror files, all of your My Drive files are stored in the cloud and on your computer, which takes up hard drive space. All of your files will be accessible at any time, even when you don’t have an internet connection or the Drive for desktop  app running. Files can be accessed through a folder on your computer. 
    • When you stream files, your My Drive files are stored in the cloud. Hard drive space is only used when you open files and make them available offline. Files that are not available offline can only be accessed when you’re connected to the internet. All files, including those available offline, can be accessed only when the app is running. Files can be accessed through a mounted drive on your computer. 

 

 

• When it is done it will prompt you to remove Backup and Sync.  Click OK.

If you do not have admin rights on your computer you will see the following.  If the computer belongs to Math, email system@math.arizona.edu and we will remove it for you.

Now what?

• Now when you look at This PC , you will see a letter drive (probably G:). This is a stream of your My Drive files.  They are still in the cloud.  You will need to be on the internet to access them.