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12.0 - Updated on 2023-10-30 by John Kelly

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1.0 - Authored on 2017-11-14 by John Kelly

Google has rebranded Google Drive File Stream to be Google Drive for Desktop, but not all updates have been made in all Google links at this time. For now, whether you read/see Drive File Stream or Drive for Desktop, it is the same product. 

Google Drive for Desktop is a tool from Google. This tool allows you to gain access to your Google Drive files using Windows Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac).

With Google Drive for Desktop, you stream your Drive files directly from the cloud to your Mac or PC, freeing up disk space and network bandwidth. Because Drive files are stored in the cloud, any saved changes you or your collaborators make are automatically updated everywhere. You’ll always have the latest version. You can also make Drive files available for offline access. These offline files sync back to the cloud when you’re online, so the latest version is available on all your devices.

For a short video on how this looks and works:

Windows machines:

Macs

System Requirements:

To install 

Go to this Google page and download the appropriate version for your machine. You must complete the Log in steps below to connect Google Drive for Desktop with your NetID@nd.edu account. 

During the install, you will go through a few steps. Below are some tips to help with your install.

  1. When prompted to Log In (which may take several seconds), enter your NetID@nd.edu and leave the password field blank. You will be directed to Notre Dame's Okta screen where you will enter your NetID and password
  2. Click Allow for what Google Drive for Desktop needs access
  3. If you are not prompted for a login, find the Google Drive for Desktop icon and click to complete the setup. For Windows machines, the icon is in your System Tray in the bottom right. You may need to click the up arrow to find it. For Macs, the icon is in your Menu bar

Icon for Google Drive for Desktop Google Drive icon 

To uninstall

After you uninstall Google Drive for Desktop, you can still find your files at google.nd.edu. Please make sure you complete the step where you Quit the Google Drive for Desktop tool in step 2.

Mac

  1. Click the Google Drive for Desktop icon located in your menu bar and verify that all your files have sync'ed/changes updated before proceeding to step 2
  2. Click the gear icon >  Quit
  3. Open Finder and click Applications
  4. Drag the Google Drive for Desktop app into the Trash
  5. Clear cached Drive Drive for Desktop files. Go to this path ~/Library/Application Support/Google and delete the DriveFS folder
    1. The Library folder may be hidden To find it:
      1. Open Finder
      2. In the menus at the top of your screen, click Go > Library
  6. Restart your machine   

Windows

  1. Click the Google Drive for Desktop icon located in your system tray and verify that all your files have sync'ed/changes updated before proceeding to step 2
  2. Click the gear icon  > Quit
  3. Click the Start button and select Control Panel
  4. Click Programs and Features > Uninstall a Program (on Windows 10 machines, search for "Programs and Features")
  5. Choose Google Drive for Desktop and Uninstall
  6. Clear cached Drive File Stream files. Go to this path C:\Users\<NetID>\AppData\Local\Google and delete the DriveFS folder
  7. After the uninstall is complete, restart your machine