Drive File Stream streams all files and folders from the cloud. You can only use Drive File Stream with a Google Account through work or school.With Drive File Stream, you can make selected files. 16 May 2019 Update: after Google Drive FS updated (Material redesign, v31.0.13.0), I got the System Extension Blocked which was easily resolved by following the message. See below for step-by-step instructions for macOS.Further on is more troubleshooting steps for macOS and Windows. I love the intention of Drive File Stream with on-demand access to my whole Drive without worrying about local.
- Google Drive File Stream Download
- Support Google Drive File Streaming
- Google Drive File Stream G
- Google Drive File Stream Location
- Drive File Stream Google Support
This is a step-by-step tutorial on how to download, install, and log into Google Drive File Stream on your personal computer.
Click on the appropriate link below to start downloading the Google Drive File Stream installer.
Windows download: https://dl.google.com/drive-file-stream/GoogleDriveFSSetup.exe
Mac Download: https://dl.google.com/drive-file-stream/GoogleDriveFileStream.dmg
If prompted with a warning (by Windows or Mac), click to continue with the download.
How to install and log into Google Drive File Stream using Windows 10.
- After clicking the above “Windows download” link, wait for the file to fully download to your computer.
- Navigate to the “Downloads” folder on your personal computer.
2a) Use the Windows search bar located next to the Windows start button and type “This PC” and click.
This will open a new window.
2b) Double click on the “Downloads” folder located in this new window.
- Double click the “GoogleDriveFSSetup” installer (.exe) file.
- If prompted about “making changes to your device”, click “Yes”.
- Click the “Install” button. If you wish to add shortcuts to your desktop, then check the respective boxes.
By default, the Drive File Stream program will launch when you start your computer.
- When it has finished installing, a new window will appear which will prompt you to log in.
Use your Hopedale email and password.
- Close out of this window:
A new window will appear (Step 8).
7a) You can also click “Close” on the installer window.
- Click on “My Drive” to access everything in your Google Drive.
The Google Drive File Stream is synced to your hopedale Google account, so everything that is currently in you Google Drive (normally accessed via Chrome) will appear in “My Drive”.
- A new folder will be present in your Google Drive that will be called your user name (Example: trobinson or ntoupin). Click on that folder to access all of the files that were located on your old H-drive.
These files are now part of your Google Drive (G:) and are simply in a sub-folder to keep them initially separate from the rest of your Google Drive. You can organize these files on your Google Drive however you see fit.
Additional Info:
- When looking for your “My Drive”, go to your tray icons in the bottom right corner of the screen and click on the “Drive File Stream” icon.
Google Drive File Stream Download
This will bring up a small window which is an overview of recently synced files.
Click the folder icon in the upper right corner.
This will bring up the window pictured in Step 8.
- You can also access your “My Drive” by going to “This PC” (See Step 2a) and double clicking on “Google Drive File Stream (G:)”.
This will bring up the window pictured in Step 8.
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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Read MoreSetup 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 MacStep 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.
Support Google Drive File Streaming
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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Read MoreCustomize 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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Google Drive File Stream G
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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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Are you getting confused between #Backup and Sync and Drive File Stream? Read the comparison post to learn the differences.