Google Drive is undoubtedly the most popular cloud storage service out there. The service is available by default on all Android devices, and Google offers a generous 15 GB of storage to get started. Similar to Dropbox and OneDrive, Google Drive offers a tool called Backup & Sync for Windows and Mac. For G Suite (Currently Google Workplace) users, the search giant offers a Drive File Stream app.
The Backup and Sync app seamlessly copies folders on your computer to Google Drive and vice versa. The problem with this method is that the folders that you sync with the Backup & Sync app are always offline on the device. Meaning it will consume storage space on your PC or Mac. Drive File Stream aims to solve the problem.
Drive Files Online does things differently by giving you access to your computer’s file browser instead of downloading your content locally. In a way, it behaves like a NAS, partially if not completely.
Drive Stream was previously limited to G Suite accounts. Google also wants to extend these features to regular Drive accounts. Anyone with a Google account can set up and use File Drive Stream on Windows or Mac.
Set up a Google Drive file stream
If your Windows or Mac laptop has low storage space and you are a proficient user of Google Drive, I strongly recommend you to try Drive File Stream. Follow the steps to set up Drive Files online.
Step 1: Download and install Drive File Stream using the link below.
Step 2: Open the downloaded file and go through the usual setup process.
Step 3: Sign in with your Google account credentials and you’re good to go.
From now on, you should see the Google Drive File Stream disc in the Windows File Manager. Unlike Backup & Sync, there is no way to sync selected folders on the device. Drive Files Online will mirror your entire Google Drive account to File Manager.
Features of Drive files online
- Drive File Stream is a convenient way to save space on your computer, especially if you work on a lot of shared folders that you don’t need to keep on your computer.
- Drive Files Online allows you to locally download the content you need to work with it when you’re offline. This means that the content is still accessible but does not take up local storage space unless you specifically download and sync the folders and files you need to access offline.
- When you’re working with files offline, you can make changes to the files and Drive Files Online will sync the changes once your computer is connected to the internet.
In theory, Drive Files Online seems like a winning solution over Backup and Sync but wait, the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. Let me warn you with some downsides of using Drive File Stream.
Limitations of Drive File Stream
- Your entire Google Drive is virtually available to anyone using a PC. Both Backup & Sync and OneDrive give users the ability to sync selected folders with PC. So you can exclude a folder containing sensitive files or information. Not possible with Drive Files online.
- You can’t sync other PC folders, such as Documents or Desktop, with Drive Files online. You must use the older method to manually upload content to Google Drive.
- There is no Google Photos integration. You will have to rely on the Google Photos web to manage/download your photos.
Customize Drive file flow
Google offers quite a few customization options in Drive File Stream.
By default, the File Drive Stream app is represented by the letter G in the File Manager. You can change it to X or some other alphabet letter from the Settings app.
Click the upper arrow in the Windows Taskbar and click the Drive File Stream icon. Tap Settings in the upper right corner and go to Preferences.
You will see the Default Drive Letter option. Tap on it and change the letter name.
If you’re working with a tight data plan, you might want to pause the Drive sync in the background. Open the Drive Files online app and select Settings > Pause sync to pause the syncing process.
Users can also limit download speed and bandwidth usage from the Network Settings option in the app preferences.
My Brief Experience with Drive File Stream
As a OneDrive user, I always miss the functional equivalent of Files On-Demand on Google Drive. Drive File Stream bridges an 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 with 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 individual Gmail users, Google will combine the two tools and offer something on par with OneDrive and Dropbox.
Use Google Drive like a pro
Drive File Stream is a must-have utility for power users. If you’re looking to get the most out of the Google Drive experience, try it out on Windows or Mac. Set up Drive File Stream and share your opinion in the comments section below.
Next: If you want to know more about the current Backup and Sync tool, read the post below.
Categories: How to
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