How to activate Google Drive synchronization

Now you may want to know the similarities and the main differences between Google Drive for computer and backup and synchronization.

Download, configure the Google backup and synchronization tool

Google Drive for desktop computer is the latest Google backup and synchronization tool, which replaces Google backup and synchronization to easily synchronize Google Drive with the PC. Read this article to find out more about similarities, main differences and steps.

By Pauline published on 10/20/2022

What is Google backup and synchronization ?

Google backup and synchronization is a synchronization tool published by Google at the end of June 2017, aimed at Synchronize files between Google Drive online and the local office folder. This file will be created once the synchronization task started.

And, it is a bidirectional synchronization: the modifications made to the local folder will be synchronized with the Google Drive network and the differences that occur in online Google Drive files will also be synchronized with local storage.

• Firstly, It safeguards your important files safely. “Download and store files from any folder on your computer, camera and SD cards in the cloud”. You can find your content on any phone, tablet or computer using Google Drive, and your photos and videos in Google Photos ».
• On the other hand, It synchronizes Google Drive with your computer, so you can access Google Drive files even when you are offline.

Google backup and synchronization is always available ?

Since October 1, 2021, you will no longer be able to use backup and synchronization, and when you open this application, you will be told ” Google Drive for computer replaces backup and synchronization »And will ask you to move your account to Google Drive for computer.

Just click on Connection And to follow the instructions on the step by step screen, you can move all backup and synchronization folders to computer drive, then use it to save files or synchronize photos and videos.

Computer Drive VS backup and synchronization

Now you may want to know the similarities and the main differences between Google Drive for computer and backup and synchronization.

In fact, Google Drive for desktop computer Backup and synchronization as well as Drive File Stream, So that it always retains the possibility of saving files on Google Drive and synchronizing photos and videos on Google Photos as well as file streaming functionality. But there are differences between them:

• About file copies : Backup and synchronization keep two backup copies, one on the local disk and the other on the cloud, which occupies more disk and storage in the cloud. However, in computer drive, you can only keep them on the cloud.
• Offline file types : Backup and synchronization only allows you to select specific folders and put them offline, while computer drive supports both files and specific folders.
• Way of saving photos and videos : Backup and synchronization Save only photos and videos on Google Drive, if you check “Download photos and videos on Google Photos”, you will have two copies on Google Drive and Google Photos. In computer drive, you can choose to synchronize all files, including photos and videos, with Google Drive and/or save them on Google Photos.
• Other backup and synchronization features : Backup and synchronization supports the exclusion of certain file extensions to free up space and choose to delete files between Google Drive and PC. And they are not available on computer drive.

Configure the Google backup and synchronization tool

To configure the Google backup and synchronization tool, you can meet two situations:

★ #1: you don’t have Google backup and synchronization. It’s very simple, just download and install the Google backup and synchronization tool, then follow the instructions on the screen to configure it.

★ #2: Google backup and synchronization is installed and well configured. It will be much more complex and most users are in this situation, you must move your account and your backup and synchronization data to computer drive.

Here, I will take the situation 2 as an example and explain to you how to configure the Google backup and synchronization tool.

1. Look for Google backup and synchronization In the Start menu and select it. Or click on the Google Drive icon in the system status bar.
2. It does not directly open backup and synchronization, but indicates that Google Drive for computer replaces backup and synchronization. Click on Connection, then on TO START To find your Google Drive account, then connect with this.

1. Now the account movement process begins. First of all, it will move my drive to your computer, and generally, it is the default location.

1. After moving my drive, you can move your files from backup and synchronization. Click on Check the files, He will analyze all the files on the computer and the cloud.

1. Click Next to continue, you will be asked to select the file options and how to synchronize or save the selected folder.

1. Select Synchronize with Google Drive Or Save in Google Photos. You can also select both, which will use more storage.

1. And then, repeat step 5 until you move all the checked files. Click on Save, then on Computer Drive.

1. After the configuration, you can click on the Google Drive icon in the System Status Bar>Settings >Preferences >Google Drive, and define the synchronization options of my drive – Access files Or Duplicate files. The first option is recommended because it uses less space on the hard drive.

✐ Note ::

• If you want to stop this task, simply disconnect your Google account. Click on the Google Drive icon> Click more (three points) and select Preferences> Settings> Disconnect the account.
• You can also pause or regain backup and synchronization via the icon. If you want to uninstall the Google backup and synchronization tool, do it in the configuration panel, as uninstall any other software.
• In addition to Windows systems, the Google application also supports Mac operating systems. However, he can only save and synchronize files between the local and Google Drive.

A easier way to use the Google backup and synchronization tool

Google Drive for computer has replaced backup and synchronization, but you still cannot synchronize files outside the local folder or the virtual reader. To make this process easy and automatic, you can use reliable synchronization software.

Aomei Backupper Standard is an excellent choice, he not only supports the synchronization of the local file with Google Drive, but also other cloud players like Dropbox, OneDrive, Box, etc. Here are its main characteristics:

✩ Basic synchronization : It allows you to synchronize local files with the main cloud players, such as Google Drive, Dropbox and OneDrive. In addition, it always supports file synchronization on the external hard drive, NAS peripherals and network sharing, and vice versa.
✩ Plan synchronization : you can configure the synchronization task so that it does automatically runs on a specific date, hour or interval, depending on whether you choose a daily, weekly or monthly frequency.

Discover below how to synchronize local files on a cloud player via Aomei Backupper. First, download Aomei Backupper Standard by clicking on the download button. For server users, try Aomei Backupper Server !

Secure download

1. In the tab Synchronize, select Basic synchronization.

Advice : To take advantage of more advanced synchronization modes such as ” Mirror synchronization “,” Real -time synchronization ” Or ” Bidirectional synchronization », Please go to advanced editions.

1. Click on Back a backrest To select the file (s) you want to synchronize.

Tips:
✿ You can only select one folder at a time. To add more folders, simply click the icon + After adding the first file.
✿ (optional) You can use file filtering (supported by the professional version) to include or exclude files or folders, in order to be able to synchronize files with certain file extensions.

1. Develop the drop -down menu of the second column and choose Select an online storage service.

1. In the contextual window, select Google Drive and click on OK. Please note that a cloud player is only accessible from Aomei Backupper if you have previously installed its office application.

1. Configure the planning settings to make this task automatic. And then click on To start up To synchronize Google Drive with the PC.

Options: Add a comment for this synchronization task in order to distinguish it from others; Activate the notification by e-mail to receive an e-mail informing you of the result of synchronization.

To plan : To synchronize files or folders daily, weekly or monthly. In the Premium version, you can always take advantage of the modes – Trigger and USB event trendy.

Google Drive For Computer VS Aomei Backupper Standard

Aomei Backupper Standard has many other features, but here I will only take its synchronization function as a comparison.

Google backup and synchronization

Standard backupper

Costs

Supported operating system

Supported device

Desktop, laptop, notebook

Desktop, laptop, notebook

Supported cloud player

Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, Box, Sugarsync, Hubic, and Cloudme

Synchronization of the local to the cloud

Cloud synchronization to the local

Local to local/NAS synchronization/network sharing

Plan synchronization

Conclusion

You now know how to synchronize files with the Google – Computer Drive backup and synchronization tool. If you want to synchronize local files with other cloud players such as OneDrive and Dropbox, you may prefer the simplest method and free file synchronization software – Aomei Backupper. It makes this process easier and more automatic.

And you can also use Aomei Backupper as hard drive cloning software. You can easily clone a hard drive on an SSD thanks to its disk cloning function. To unlock more features, please download it to try !

Pauline is a senior editor of Aomei Technology. She is experienced in IT backup and recovery. His passion for computer science has led him to acquire solid expertise in this field. With a relaxed approach, she is comfortable sharing her specialized knowledge by avoiding complex technical terms. Its objective is to make backups and data restorations as simple as possible. She is delighted to discuss her computer skills with you !

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How to activate Google Drive synchronization ?

Google Drive is a data storage tool in the cloud . It also allows its users to work in collaborative mode with their employees. Simple to handle, the tool includes practical features that allow you to create, modify and store files in all formats.

Google Drive now has a backup and Automatic synchronization Files available on its local hard drive. To use it, you must first install it and activate it. We then offer some useful tips that will guide you in these processes.

Google Drive synchronization

With the Google Drive backup and synchronization system, each user can synchronize files or back up the folders or files of your choice online. You can then consult or modify them from any medium Internet connected .

Thanks to this function of File synchronization , You can choose files or folders to synchronize without modifying their original location . It will then not be necessary to group them in a case common before synchronize data .

Synchronize Google Drive on PC (Windows and Linux)

If you have a PC under Windows or Linux, go to https: // www.Google.Com/Drive/Download/In Voting Web Navigator Google Chrome For example. Make sure you have a Internet connection functional.

You must then download the backup and synchronization file under the personal header. By clicking on download, you access a window providing for the conditions of use of Google Drive. Click on accept and download. You must choose the location of the file called “Installbackupandsync” on your computer.

Once the file is downloaded, open it (double-click) to start the installation. Accept that the file makes changes to your computer. At the end of the installation, go to the hidden icons on the right in the taskbar of your computer. You will notice a cloud -shaped icon with an arrow pointing up.

Click on the icon to open the application of Data synchronization . Click start when the application is open. Use your Gmail identifiers to connect to your Google Drive account . Then click on I understood.

You can now choose the folders to synchronize on your drive. By default, the software lists the files Desktop , Documents And Images By presenting their size. You can uncheck files or add them. For addition, click Select a folder immediately below the three files listed.

Then define your photo synchronization settings. Click on synchronize My drive On this computer to have on your tool all the files available in your Google Drive. Click on Start to launch synchronization .

You master the Google suite And Microsoft On the fingertips ? Come and show us what you can do. We are waiting for you, to keep the best.

Synchronize Google Drive on Mac

The process is the same as on a Windows or Linux PC with some slight nuances. Then go to the https: // www link.Google.com/Drive/Download/and Click Download Backup and Sync under the personal header. Accept the conditions of use to launch the download on your computer .

Choose the file location on your device. Double click on the downloaded file to open the Google Drive Backup and Synchronization window. Then slide the backup and synchronization icon to apps to install it.

In the Applications folder, backup and synchronization is presented in the form of a blue and white icon with the form of a cloud.

Open the application, click start and enter your Gmail identifiers ( username and password) to connect to Google Drive. You will need to choose the files to synchronize at this step.

For photo backup, define their import size. Click Next to synchronize your Google Drive folders on your Mac. Choose the folders and click start. The operation will take a few minutes, but when it is over, you can access your Outside files .

What to do if synchronization does not work ?

It can indeed happen that synchronization does not work. The causes can come from a problem with the Google Drive backup and synchronization. THE File types Or calculation sheets to synchronize may present problems preventing the process.

A bad internet connection, a lack of storage space Google and technical concerns relating to your computer are all causes that can cause synchronization dysfunction.

When the synchronization Do not work, restart the backup and synchronization service. In the taskbar, click on the backup and synchronization icon. At the top, completely right, click more and finally on leaving save and synchronization. Open back and synchronization again and connect to your Drive account.

It is also possible to reinstall the synchronization tool (the backup and synchronization application). This solution is the most recommended when the service suddenly stops. On the other hand, when the message “connection failure” appear, you must check your connection online. If the Internet connection is not activated, right click on the network icon in the taskbar . Then click on Solve problems .

To relaunch synchronization, it may be necessary to restart your computer. Just click on the stop icon in your Windows menu, then restart.

Tips to activate Google Drive backup and synchronization The Google Drive backup and synchronization allows you to have your documents and files available online and at any time, they are protected.

Google Drive: how to save and synchronize all its PC and Mac documents ?

The Google Drive online storage service now has an application to manage the backup and automatic synchronization of the local files present on the hard drives of a Windows PC or a Mac. Here is our user manual to install and use this tool.

It will also interest you

Like other services cloud Data storage and sharing like OneDrive (Microsoft Microsoft) or Dropbox, Google Google Drive already offered a file synchronization system. It was based on a Drive folder in which we could submit the files/folders that we wanted to save online to access it from any connected terminal.

Google has perfected its system and has just launched a new version called “backup backup and synchronization” which therefore offers automated backup and synchronization of local files present on Windows PC PCs, Macs but also SD memory cards and USB devices USB . The main novelty is the possibility of choosing the files that we want to synchronize without having to modify their original location to place them in a common file. It’s much more practical and simple.

Download and install Google backup and synchronization

To use this feature, you must have a Google account and an online storage space on Google Drive which, in its free version, goes up to 15 GB. Note that this user manual was carried out on Windows 10 computer. The macOS procedure is generally identical, apart from the nomenclatures specific to the Apple Apple OS for the names of certain menus.

• To download the Application Application Backup and synchronization, Go to Google Drive’s page or that of Google Photos. Once the file has been downloaded on the hard drive from your Windows or MacOS computer, open it to start the installation.
• Click on the button To start in the window window window which then invites you to enter the identifiers of your Google account.

Download and install Google backup and synchronization. © Futura

Select the backrests to be saved on Google Drive

The next step is to choose the specific folders you want to save and synchronize automatically on Google Drive.

• In the named window named My computer, You will find that by default Google Drive offers to synchronize documents documents, images and computer (for the Windows version). If you want to save all of the data present in these files, leave the adjustment as is. Otherwise, uncheck these options and opt for a manual selection.
• To do this, click on Select a folder. You can then browse the hard drive on your computer, the content of an SD memory card or a trendy USB device to choose the folder of your choice. Repeat the maneuver for each folder you want to add. Note that the backup and synchronization application allows you to select only folders and not individual files. Then click on the button Following.
• In the next window, you are offered to synchronize the content already present on Google Drive on the computer. Otherwise, you can uncheck this option. Then click on the button To start up To launch the synchronization process.

Select the backrests to be saved on Google Drive. © Futura

Save your photos and videos

If you plan to save your Images folder as well as videos, Google invites you to choose between two options for file import size.

• The first option High quality applies images compression but in return offers free and unlimited storage. Photos of more than 16 megapixels as well as videos of more than 1080p are resized.
• The second option Original quality respects the resolution resolution of the original image or video. But in this case, online storage will be deducted from the quantity of space you have. Choose this option only if you have a very spacious Google Drive Storage or if you are an informed amateur of photography and video photography who wishes to be able to access its original files in all circumstances.
• Once the option has been selected, you can also ask the application to import photos and videos in Google Photos. Consequently, each addition of content in the computer images folder will be passed on to the online service.
• Then click on the button Following To launch the synchronization process as indicated above.

Use backup and synchronization

Once the initial configuration is completed, the application backup and synchronization makes a first synchronization of all the selected files. The operation takes place in the background on the computer. On Windows, a white cloud -shaped icon appears in the right area of ​​the taskbar.

Google Drive’s synchronization process runs into a background on the computer. © Futura

• Click on this icon to open the application and follow the course of synchronization. It is through this that you can access Google Drive or Google Photos by clicking on their respective icons. Note that you can also access these services directly from your Internet Internet browser if you have already saved a shortcut.
• On Google Drive, synchronized content is stored in the folder Computers and the subdossier My computer. The latter can be renamed if necessary.
• It is possible to move the files to other locations of your Google Drive space. But they will no longer be synchronized.

On Google Drive, the files synchronized from the computer are stored under the computers’ wording. © Futura

You can modify or add new folders to synchronize from your computer or a USB device at any time. To do this, open the application by clicking on its icon in the taskbar (Windows) then open the Settings (three points superimposed vertically) and click on Preferences.

To completely stop the operation of the application, you must go to the Preferences and click on Account parameters and other services. Then click on Dissociate the account and confirm your choice. Your Google Drive account will then be disconnected from the application.

To completely interrupt synchronization, you must go to the application settings to dissociate the account. © Futura