Google Drive is undoubtedly the most popular cloud storage service. The service comes by default on all Android devices, and Google offers a generous 15GB of storage initially. Similar to Dropbox and OneDrive, Google Drive offers a tool called Backup and Sync for Windows and Mac. The search giant is providing the Drive File Stream app for G Suite (Now Google Workplace) users.
The Backup and Sync app seamlessly copies folders from your computer to your Google Drive and vice versa. The problem with the method is that the folders you sync with the Backup & Sync app stay offline on the device. Meaning, it will consume the storage space on your PC or Mac. Drive File Stream aims to fix the problem.
Drive File Stream does things differently by letting you access your computer’s file browser instead of downloading your content locally. In a way, it works partly, if not completely, like a NAS.
Drive Stream used to be limited to G Suite accounts only. Google wants to extend these features to regular Drive accounts as well. Anyone with a Google account can install and use File Drive Stream on Windows or Mac.
Setup Google Drive File Stream
If your Windows or Mac laptop is low on storage and you are an advanced user of Google Drive, I highly recommend giving Drive File Stream a try. Follow the steps to set up Drive File Stream.
Stage 1: Download and install Drive File Stream using the link below.
Step 2: Open the downloaded file and go through the normal installation process.
Stage 3: Sign in using your Google account credentials and you’re ready.
From now on, you will see the Google Drive File Stream disk in Windows File Manager. Unlike Backup and Sync, there is no way to sync selected folders on the device. Drive File Stream mirrors your entire Google Drive account to File Manager.
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 lets you download the content you need locally to work on when you’re offline. This means that the content will remain accessible, but will not take up local storage unless you specifically download and sync the folders and files you need to access offline.
- You can make changes to files while working with offline files, and Drive File Stream syncs changes when your computer is connected to the internet.
In theory Drive File Stream seems 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 about some disadvantages of using Drive File Stream.
Drive File Stream Limitations
- Your entire Google Drive is available to virtually anyone using the computer. Both Backup & Sync and OneDrive offer users the ability to sync selected folders with PC. So you can exclude a folder containing sensitive files or information. Not possible with Drive File Stream.
- You cannot sync other PC folders such as Documents or Desktop with Drive File Stream. To manually upload to Google Drive, you have to use the old method.
- No Google Photos integration. You will have to rely on Google Photos web to manage/download photos.
Customize Drive File Stream
Google offers quite a few customization options in Drive File Stream.
By default, the File Drive Stream application is represented by a letter G in the File manager. You can change it to X or any other alphabetic letter from the Settings app.
Tap the top arrow on the Windows Taskbar and click the Drive File Stream icon. Tap Settings in 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’re working on a tight data pack, you may want to pause Drive syncing in the background. Open the Drive File Stream app and select Settings > Pause sync to temporarily stop the syncing process.
Users can also limit download speed and bandwidth usage from the Network Settings option in the application preference.
My Brief Experience with Drive File Stream
As a OneDrive user, I’ve always missed functionality equivalent to Files On Demand in Google Drive. Drive File Stream fills a very important gap for me. Now I can view the entire Google Drive folder in File manager and avoid the web interface altogether.
After using Drive File Stream and comparing it to Backup and Sync, I don’t think I can go back to using the old ways to sync Google Drive on PC. My guess is that after initial testing with personal Gmail users, Google will combine both tools and offer something exactly the same as OneDrive and Dropbox.
Use Google Drive Like a Pro
Drive File Stream is the must-have utility for power users. If you want to get the most out of the Google Drive experience, try it on Windows or Mac. Install Drive File Stream and share your feedback in the comments section below.
Next: If you want to know more about the Backup and Sync tool available, read the post below.
