© tommaso79/Getty Images To sync files automatically, add the Google Drive app to your desktop. tommaso79/Getty Images

You can add Google Drive to your desktop on a PC in addition to using it on a web browser.
Adding the Google Drive app to your desktop will enable you to sync your documents and files from your computer to Google Drive.

Having Google Drive in the palm of your hand. Downloading Google Drive to your desktop can be the difference between annoyance and productivity. Whether you're a Mac, Windows or Linux user, you will fully benefit from having the program just a shortcut away! How to Get Google Drive on Desktop. So you're ready to download Google Drive and aren't. Google Drive for Mac gives users a significant amount of storage in an easy to use platform that is available on many device types. Google Drive for Mac comes with a free version that allows. Access all of your Google Drive content directly from your Mac or PC, without using up disk space. Or the negotiated Google Apps terms, if applicable. Cancel Agree and Download.

Google Drive is popular for its free programs, ease of access, and compatibility with Gmail and other Google products.

You can download Google Drive to your PC desktop as well, enabling your computer to sync your files with Google Drive automatically.

Here's how to add Google Drive to your desktop using a PC.

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How to add Google Drive to your PC desktop

1. If you are logged in to your Google account on an internet browser, you must log out temporarily to install Google on your desktop.

2. Once you have logged out, go to drive.google.com and scroll down to the bottom of the webpage. Under the 'Downloads' column, click on 'Drive for Mac/PC.'

© Chrissy Montelli/Business Insider In 'Downloads,' select 'Drive for Mac/PC.' Chrissy Montelli/Business Insider

3. A new tab will open. Next to the 'For Individuals' banner, click on 'Download.'

© Chrissy Montelli/Business Insider In 'For Individuals,' select 'Download.' Chrissy Montelli/Business Insider

4. A pop-up window will appear. Click the 'Agree and Download' button.

© Chrissy Montelli/Business Insider Select 'Agree and Download.' Chrissy Montelli/Business Insider

5. A program called 'installbackupandsync.exe' will begin downloading in your internet browser.

How To Get Google Drive App On Mac

© Chrissy Montelli/Business Insider 'Backup and Sync' will download. Chrissy Montelli/Business Insider

6. Click on the program, and it should begin installing once it has finished downloading.

© Chrissy Montelli/Business Insider It will then install. Chrissy Montelli/Business Insider

7. Once the installation is complete, click 'Close' to exit the pop-up window.

8. Google Drive should now appear on your desktop. Look for a window called 'Welcome to Backup and Sync' and click on the 'Get Started' button.

© Chrissy Montelli/Business Insider Click 'Get Started.' Chrissy Montelli/Business Insider

9. Type in your Gmail address, click 'Next,' and then type in your Gmail password. Click 'Next' when you are finished.

10. Set your laptop's preferences for upload quality and file size. When you are finished, click 'Next.'

© Chrissy Montelli/Business Insider To sync files automatically, add the Google Drive app to your desktop. tommaso79/Getty Images

11. Set your Google Drive syncing preferences. You can sync the entirety of your computer to Google Drive, or select specific folders to sync. Once you are finished, click 'Start.'

© Chrissy Montelli/Business Insider Choose which folders you'd like to sync. Chrissy Montelli/Business Insider

After Google Drive is downloaded to your desktop, you will also see shortcuts to Drive programs such as Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Slides.

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Google Drive is a cloud-based storage service that allows you to download and upload files. With Google Drive, files can be accessed by you or others at different locations and from different devices. Google Drive is a safe place to keep any file– there are no file type restrictions and all data is encrypted, requiring you to grant permission for others to access, edit, or view the files.

The only file restriction imposed by Google Drive is that individual file/folder uploads cannot exceed five TB (Terabytes) in size.

The Google Drive storage space you receive for free is 15 GB (Gigabytes) and can be upgraded to more space if needed. Upgrade prices are as follows:

100 GB – $1.99/mo.
1 TB – $9.99/mo. (most popular)
10 TB – $99.99/mo.
20 TB – $199.99/mo.
30 TB – $299.99/mo.

It is highly unlikely you will need any more space than one TB unless you are using Google Drive for your computer hard drive backups, as well as large photo or video libraries. In most cases, you shouldn’t need to upgrade from the free 15 GB storage space provided.

Keep in mind, true Linux, Mac, and PC hard drive backups (hard drive clones) are the size of your computer’s entire hard drive and Google Drive is not recommended for this purpose if you are using a metered internet connection. If you choose to use this method of safe file keeping, then it is crucial you check with your ISP (Internet Service Provider) to make sure that your service is not metered. Metered internet has an allowance cap and using extra data will cause your bill to increase.

If you plan to use Google Drive as a storage facility for all the photos you take with your phone or tablet, then it is important that you shut off the “sync over metered connections” or “background app refresh” setting from the Google Drive app on your mobile device. This will ensure your monthly statements don’t shock you with data overages.

Like many people, you might want to use Google Drive to solely sync files from your smartphone or tablet to your computer.

Getting started with Google Drive

If you have a Google account, then you already have access to Google Drive. If you do not have a Google account, you can sign up easily by creating a new account from the accounts.google web page. Consumer accounts are free and business or enterprise accounts may be provided by your employer.

Google Drive App Mac Multiple Accounts

Once you have a Google account, you can upload, store and share your files using Google Drive by means of three different methods:

Google Drive online
Google Drive computer application
Google Drive mobile application

While Apple’s iCloud and Microsoft’s OneDrive offer similar features and apps, Google Drive is the only cloud storage service that rivals DropBox by spanning out into less popular OS platforms. Google Drive is heavily integrated into ChromeOS (Chromebook),as well as available for many other Linux desktop distributions.

The free 15 GB of storage is incorporated across all your Google services. What does this mean? The storage for Google Drive, Google Photos, and Gmail is shared. Gmail, if used heavily to send large attachments will consume your storage. This will also happen rapidly with Google Photos if you choose to upload original or high quality images. Manage your data wisely!

How to use Google Drive online

To use Google Drive from any modern web browser, simply open the browser of your choice. Navigate to drive.google.com. If you are not already signed into Google, you will be asked to enter your Google account credentials to sign in.

The Google Drive homepage has a simple user interface (UI). The Dashboard along the top of the browser window allows you to adjust settings, perform Google Drive content searches, and manage or share files. To use the dashboard:

Click or tap the Search box and enter in keywords to perform a search of your Google Drive content.
Click or tap the Google Apps icon to access other Google services, like Gmail or YouTube.
Click or tap the Notifications icon to view account notifications.
Click or tap the Google Account icon to sign in and out of your account.
Click or tap the New button to create a new f

2021.06