Google Drive Desktop

Note: Google Drive will no longer be supported by Google starting December 11, 2017 and will be shut down on March 12, 2018. PALCS will be providing a replacement, called Google File Stream. Check out our support article on Google File Stream here: https://support.palcs.org/hc/en-us/articles/115014886128 

Google Drive desktop is available to students. This program will allow students to sync their computer files with their Google Drive.

DOWNLOADING AND INSTALLING

• It can be downloaded and installed from our Windows Software Archive.
  
  CLICK TO ENLARGE
• The following are some other windows that will appear as part of the install.
  • This window will appear after clicking the Google Drive icon in the Software Catalog.
    
  • This window will also appear and change status from Downloading, Installing, to Installation complete.
    

LOGGING IN

• Students will need to log in to with their G Suites account. The login window is launched from the Google Drive taskbar icon.

  

  This is the prompt that will appear from the Google Drive taskbar icon.

  

  Right-clicking on that taskbard icon will show this window. Follow the blue sign in text to sign in.

  

  This is the log in window for Google Drive desktop.

USING THE PROGRAM

• Unless you specifically download them in a separate window, all the files tied to your Google Drive folders will only be held in the local computer as links to the online version of Drive.
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• The files will look as though they’re listed as local, but as soon as you click on one it will launch into your preferred web browser with the option to either login to your account, or if you’re already logged in, launch the file itself in Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides.
• Also be aware that because these files aren’t actually stored locally, if you choose to delete a file in your file explorer, it will simultaneously be deleted from Google’s servers as well if your Drive trash is ever emptied.
  

• As with any cloud storage platform, you’ll only be able to access its full array of features as long as your computer is hooked up to a steady Internet connection. Once you’re out of range from a router, clicking on any files stored in the Google Drive folder will only link to a dead browser page.

CONFIGURING PREFERENCES

• To configure the preferences on your desktop Drive app, right click the Drive icon, located either in your Quick Access bar (Windows 10 users), or on the desktop icon.
• From here navigate to the “Google Drive” option in the sub-menu, and choose the “Preferences” option located one menu beyond that.