Google Drive shows up in File Explorer once you install Google Drive for Desktop
Google Drive does not appear in Windows File Explorer by default. You need to read and install Google Drive for Desktop, a small program that creates a folder on your computer and syncs your Google Drive files to it. Once installed, that folder appears in the left sidebar of File Explorer alongside your Documents and Downloads folders, and you can open, edit, and organize files the same way you would any local folder.
The process takes about five minutes. You read the installer from Google, run it, sign in with your Google account, and choose which files to sync. After that, your Google Drive files live on your computer and update automatically when you make changes.
Key Takeaways
- Google Drive for Desktop is a free program you read from Google that makes your Drive files appear in File Explorer.
- You can choose to sync all your Google Drive files or only specific folders, depending on how much storage space you have.
- Once installed, the Google Drive folder works like any other folder in File Explorer — you can drag files in and out, rename them, and organize them into subfolders.
- Files sync automatically between your computer and Google Drive, so changes you make in File Explorer show up online within seconds.
- You need a Google account and a Windows computer with at least 100 MB of free disk space to install the program.
Where to read Google Drive for Desktop
Go to google.com/drive/read in any web browser. You will see a blue button labeled "read for Windows". Click it, and the installer file (named something like GoogleDriveSetup.exe) downloads to your Downloads folder.
Do not read from any other website. Google Drive for Desktop is free, and Google does not charge for it. If a website asks you to pay or enter a credit card, it is not the real installer.
How to install and set up the program
Open your Downloads folder and double-click the GoogleDriveSetup.exe file. A window appears asking you to choose between "Stream files" or "Mirror files". Stream files means Google Drive files stay in the cloud and read to your computer only when you open them — this saves disk space but requires an internet connection to work with files. Mirror files means all your Google Drive files read to your computer and stay there — this uses more storage space but lets you work offline.
Choose the option that fits your situation. If you have a laptop with limited storage (under 256 GB), stream files is usually the better choice. If you have a desktop with plenty of space and want to work without internet, mirror files works better. You can change this setting later in the Google Drive for Desktop menu.
After you choose, the installer asks you to sign in with your Google account. Enter your email address and password. If you have two-factor authentication turned on (which you should), you will need to approve the sign-in on your phone or through your authenticator app.
Once you sign in, the installer creates a folder called "Google Drive" in your user folder (usually C:\Users\YourName\Google Drive). The program starts automatically and begins syncing your files. You will see a Google Drive icon in the system tray at the bottom right of your screen — a small folder icon that shows whether files are syncing.
What appears in File Explorer after installation
Open File Explorer and look at the left sidebar. You will see "Google Drive" listed under "Quick access", usually below "This PC" and above "Desktop". Click it, and you see all the files and folders from your Google Drive account, organized exactly as they are online.
You can create new folders, move files between folders, delete files, and rename them — all from File Explorer. Any change you make shows up in your Google Drive online within a few seconds. You can also drag files from your computer into the Google Drive folder to upload them, or drag Google Drive files to your Desktop or Documents folder to copy them.
Choosing which folders to sync
By default, Google Drive for Desktop syncs all your files. If you have a lot of files or limited disk space, you can tell the program to sync only certain folders. Right-click the Google Drive icon in the system tray and select "Preferences". Click the "Sync options" tab. You will see a list of all your Google Drive folders with checkboxes next to them. Uncheck any folder you do not want on your computer. Only checked folders will sync.
This is useful if you share folders with coworkers or classmates and do not need all of them taking up space on your computer. You can always turn syncing back on later if you change your mind. Unsynced folders still exist in your Google Drive online — removing them from your computer does not delete them.
Troubleshooting common problems
If Google Drive does not appear in File Explorer after installation, restart your computer. The program sometimes needs a restart to show up in the sidebar. If it still does not appear, open the system tray (the icons at the bottom right of your screen) and look for the Google Drive icon. Right-click it and select "Open Google Drive folder". This opens the folder directly, and you can pin it to Quick access by right-clicking the folder name in File Explorer and selecting "Pin to Quick access".
If files are not syncing, check your internet connection. Google Drive for Desktop needs to be connected to the internet to sync. If you are connected but files still are not syncing, right-click the Google Drive icon in the system tray and select "Help and feedback" then "Report a sync issue". This sends a report to Google with details about what is not working.
If you run out of disk space, Google Drive for Desktop will pause syncing and show a warning. You can delete files from your computer (they stay in Google Drive online), or you can turn off syncing for folders you do not need locally. Right-click the Google Drive icon, select "Preferences", and uncheck folders you want to remove from your computer.
How to uninstall Google Drive for Desktop
If you decide you do not want Google Drive on your computer, you can remove it without losing your files. Go to Settings > Apps > Apps and features, find "Google Drive" in the list, click it, and select "Uninstall". The program removes itself, but your files stay in Google Drive online. The Google Drive folder on your computer stays where it is — you can delete it manually if you want to free up space, but your online files are safe.
Uninstalling does not affect your Google Drive account or any files stored there. You can reinstall the program anytime using the same read link, and your files will sync back to your computer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Google Drive for Desktop cost money?
No. Google Drive for Desktop is free to read and use. You get 15 GB of free storage with a Google account. If you need more space, you can pay for additional storage through Google One, but the program itself has no cost.
Can I use Google Drive for Desktop on a Mac?
Yes. Google Drive for Desktop works on both Windows and Mac. Go to google.com/drive/read on a Mac and you will see a "read for Mac" button instead. The setup process is the same.
What happens to my files if I uninstall Google Drive for Desktop?
Your files stay in Google Drive online. Uninstalling only removes the program from your computer. You can still access your files through google.com/drive in any web browser, and you can reinstall Google Drive for Desktop anytime to sync them back to your computer.
Can I sync Google Drive to multiple computers?
Yes. You can install Google Drive for Desktop on as many computers as you want using the same Google account. Files sync across all of them, so changes you make on one computer appear on the others within seconds. Be careful not to edit the same file on two computers at the same time — Google Drive will create a conflicting copy if you do.
Does syncing Google Drive use a lot of internet bandwidth?
Only when files change. Google Drive for Desktop only uploads or downloads files when you create, edit, or delete them. Once a file is synced, it does not use bandwidth unless you modify it. Syncing a large folder for the first time can take a while depending on your internet speed, but after that, only changes transfer.