Google Drive for Desktop

Google Drive for Desktop (formerly Google Filestream and Backup and Sync) is a desktop application that allows you to quickly access all of your Google Drive files on demand, directly from your computer, without losing precious drive space.
With Google Drive for Desktop, your files are stored on the cloud instead of your computer, and any changes you make are automatically synced with the cloud for quick, easy access anywhere you have an Internet connection.

• Quickly see all your Google Drive files in Finder/Explorer (including Shared Drives (formerly Team Drives).
• Browse and organize Google Drive files without downloading all of them to your computer.
• Choose which files or folders you'd like to make available offline.
• Open files in common apps like Microsoft Office and Adobe Photoshop.

Google Drive for Desktop installation on a Mac or PC

For a text installation guide on how to download from Self Service (Mac) or Software Center (PC), use the installation guide Drive for Desktop Mac or PC.

To download from your browser:

1. Download Google Drive for Desktop for Mac or Windows. You must be logged into your Google account to see this page.
2. Run the installation package.
3. Log in to the portal with your App State email address and password.
4. Select Allow on the required permissions prompt.

• Windows: Windows 10 or newer
• Mac: High Sierra (10.13) or newer (follow these steps to allow the app)

Locating Drive Folders

Once Google Drive for Desktop is installed on a Mac, the Google Drive folder can be found in your Finder.
On a PC, Google Drive will show up under "Devices and Drives" in File Explorer. This folder will contain both your personal Google "My Drive" and any Shared Drives you are part of. The only difference between these files and any other file on your computer is that these files are not stored on your computer by default.

Syncing Your Files

• By default, Google Drive does not store a copy of your files on your local computer. This means that if you do not have an Internet connection, you will not be able to access these files. In order to make your files accessible offline, right-click on a file or folder and select "Make Available Offline" under the Drive menu.

  

  
  

  Making Files available Offline

  You can make Google Drive files available offline. However, note that doing so will store a copy on your computer, using up more of your hard drive space.

   High Sierra (10.13) or newer (follow these steps to allow the app)

For more information on using Drive for Desktop, visit the Drive Help Center (To see this page and install the Drive for Desktop application, you must log in to Google with your App State username and password.)