If you’re using Windows, you know that it adds a separate and distinct shortcut for OneDrive to File Explorer, one that you can’t remove. The same happens with Dropbox if you install it on your Windows computer or device. However, this doesn’t happen with Google Drive, at least not by default. Suppose you use Google Drive regularly and want to install its desktop app on your Windows PC. What if you also want to add Google Drive to File Explorer, both as a Quick access link and as a distinct shortcut in the navigation pane? For instructions on how to do all that, read this guide:
You can seamlessly access your files on OneDrive cloud storage right from File Explorer in Windows 10/windows 11 and higher. What if you could do the same with Google Drive? Google Drive for desktop makes that possible, and this tutorial shows you how to use this app to add Google Drive to File Explorer.
Why Add Google Shared Drive to Windows File Explorer?
Using Google Shared Drives on Google Drive official website is great since the website supports online editing and provides various useful office suites to improve team collaboration.
However, when some certain type of files stored in Shared Drives can only be edited by other office suites or apps which Google Drive website doesn’t support, it would be best if you could add Shared Drive to file explorer so as to sync Shared Drive to desktop. After that, you can conveniently access and edit files from Shared Drives on PC.
Adding Google Drive to File Explorer
Step 1: Head over to the Google Drive download page (link below) and click on the Download button under Backup and Sync. When prompted, click on Agree and Download.
Step 2: Now run the EXE file and follow on-screen instructions to install Backup and Sync on your PC.
Step 3: Open the Backup and Sync app and sign in with your Google Account.
Step 4: Make a selection of the local folders on your PC that you’d like to continuously back up to your Google Drive. Additionally, if you want to backup photos and videos directly to Google Photos, tick the checkbox that reads ‘Upload photos and videos to Google Photos’. Then hit Next.
Step 5: You can select Google Drive folders that you’d like to access directly from the File Explorer. Alternatively, you can also choose to sync everything. Make the appropriate selection and click on the Start button.
Installing Google Drive for Desktop
Step 1: First go ahead and download the Google Drive for Desktop app for Windows.
Step 2: After downloading, double-click the installation file to start the installation process.
Step 3: On the first screen, choose the type of shortcuts you require and then click on the blue “Install” button to continue with the installation.
Step 4: Wait for the app to install and when the installation is complete, click on the “Close” button to close the window
Step 5: In this new browser tab, click on the Google Account you want to associate with your Google Drive for Desktop app.
Step 6: On the next screen, click on the “Sign in” button to sign in with your chosen Gmail account.
Step 7: The Google Drive app for Desktop should also show that you have signed in successfully to your account.
Step 8: Finally, you either launch your Google Drive App for Desktop to see your Google Drive files.
Add Google Drive To File Explorer In Windows 10
Step 1: Download Google Drive Backup And Sync App
Step 2 Click on Download under Backup and Sync. As you need Google Drive for personal use, you need to download the Backup and Sync option.
Step 2: Sign In To Your Google Account
Step 3: Select The Data You Want To Sync: Sync My Drive to this computer – check this option to access the data in your Google Drive from your system.
Step 4: Select the appropriate option and then click on OK
Step 5: Once this is done, you will now see Google Drive Folder in the Quick access area.
Keyboard Shortcuts
Would you like to work faster on Google Drive? There are so many shortcuts that you can use. Some of them include:
- Shift + T = Create a new document
- Shift + P = Create a new presentation
- Shift + S = Create a new spreadsheet
- / = Search Drive
Share large files with friends
Gmail has a file transfer limit of 25MB. Do you know that with Google Drive& you can overshoot this limit? Google Drive allows you to share files that are up to 15GB in size. Simply add the files to a new folder in your Drive and share the link.
Does Google Drive Work Offline?
When using the stream option, it works the same way Dropbox or One Drive does in your Windows File Explorer. If you want to have specific files from your Google Drive always within your reach, you can download them. And you can always delete them from the local desktop drive and download them again since they’re safe in the cloud.
1. All you need to do is right-click the File you want to download and select Available offline.
2. In rare instances, when this option gets greyed out, you can access the File via Chrome and go to File > Make available online
Thanks a lot, you did it better than google forums… cheers man!
Awesome!!!Thank you so much. Great Blog.
Thank you so much 🙂
Grandissimo from Italy, you are the best master
This worked for files that I’ve uploaded myself. How can I access the files that were shared with me but uploaded by someone else?
The best, most direct and succinct video about this subject I’ve found on YouTube. Thanks!
Perfect.. exactly the info I was looking for and nothing extra. Short sweet and worked great.
Have an issue with Backup and Sync. Can u help ?
I am using backup and sync for last 6 months, and it was working perfect.
yesterday I formatted my PC. and tried to sync same folder from my computer,
but Google is Making Duplicate Folder on Google Drive (Not over writing the same folder)
Please Help. ThanX
hows shows shared with me folder (google drive) on desktop?
is it possible to add the shared drive too to the google drive for windows
*Also works for Windows 11
1. Install google drive from the web > “Download drive for desktop
2. Set it up/ install > Open
3. Sign in to your account (you can sign in to up to 4 different accounts without login in and out). But for now, sign in to one of your accounts. After that, close the window.
4. You can add and access your accounts in the taskbar corner flow.
I have 66 students report card. How do I share with students on google drive in such a way that one student will not be able to see another student’s report?
Very very very nicely explained. It sorted out all my doubts and concerns. Thank you so much, Chris. You’re doing a great & wonderful job! Keep it up! 😊
Yay finally found someone who is clear, doesn’t rush thru steps, without having to pause and rewind repeatedly to understand, and friendly. Not to mention knowledgeable. You are the one. Thanks Chris
Nice work. Clear and unhurried pace yet utilizing the available time so efficiently. Thanks for a great video. And excellent audio quality to go with it.
Microsoft has its own tutorial, but yours is much better. Maybe they should hire you before they make their next tutorial.
At last … somebody who explains things clearly, not as if I should already know it!
Very simple and to the point yet very clear. One question though: if I work on any file locally how do I ensure the changes are mirrored in the existing cloud version of the same file, and vice-versa? Thank you.
I’m new to using OneDrive so that was a clear to understand overview, thanks. One icon I have that isn’t mentioned is the blue ‘recycle’ circle, two blue arrows in a circle, I am assuming this is the sync logo and I always seen to have this and not the cloud logo. Any ideas?
Hello, thank you for making this incredibly informative video! I have an issue with my OneDrive icons on desktop (the little tick sign that appears on the synced desktop shortcut). For some reason, these tick marks have simply disappeared. They are still there in the status category of all folders, but the ones on the desktop shortcuts are not there anymore. It is a trivial issue, but I was wondering if this can be resolved. I would be quite grateful for any help! I hope that you have a great day!