How to Install Google Drive for Desktop?, by What Happens Nexxt on YouTube. 1 min.
- Video length
- 1 min
- Time to do it
- 10 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Open your browser and go to the official Google Drive download page. Look for the Google Drive for desktop option and click Download for Windows.
Find the downloaded setup file in your Downloads folder. It is usually named GoogleDriveSetup.exe. Double-click it to start the installer.
If Windows asks for permission, click Yes. The installer runs on its own and adds Google Drive to your computer.
Open Google Drive from the Start menu or the desktop shortcut once installation finishes. The sign-in window appears.
Click Sign in and enter your Google account email and password. Approve any two-step verification prompt on your phone.
Choose whether to stream files or mirror them. Streaming keeps files in the cloud and saves disk space. Mirroring downloads a full copy.
Click Open Drive folder or press the Drive icon in the taskbar. Your files now show up in File Explorer under Google Drive.
Drag a test file into the My Drive folder and check that it appears in Drive on the web. That confirms syncing works.
Tips and common mistakes
Pick streaming if your laptop has a small drive, since mirroring copies every file to your disk.
Check the cloud icon next to a file before you unplug a USB drive or shut down, so uploads finish.
Use the Drive menu in the taskbar to pause syncing when you are on a slow or metered connection.
Sign out of the app before handing the computer to someone else so your files stay private.
Questions
Does Google Drive for desktop cost anything?
The app itself is free. You only pay if you need more storage than the free 15 GB that comes with a Google account.
Where do my Drive files appear on the PC?
They appear in File Explorer under a Google Drive entry, with separate folders for My Drive and Shared drives.
What is the difference between stream and mirror?
Streaming keeps files online and downloads them only when you open them. Mirroring stores a full copy on your hard drive.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
