What is it?
However, the launch of the settings signals the official deprecation for the tool File Stream replaces: Google Drive for Mac and PC. The older Google Drive desktop software will no longer be.
Google Drive File Stream is a desktop application that allows you to quickly access all of your Google Drive files on demand, directly from your computer without losing precious drive space. With Google Drive File Stream, your files are stored on the cloud instead of your computer, and any changes you make are automatically synced with the cloud for quick, easy access anywhere you have an Internet connection.
Installation
- Download Google Drive File Stream for Mac or Windows. You must be logged into your Google account to see this page.
- Run the installation package.
- Log into the portal with your UT email address and password.
- Select Allow on the required permissions prompt.
System Requirements
- Windows: Windows 7 and up. Windows Server editions are not supported.
- Mac: El Capitan (10.11) and up. For High Sierra (10.13), follow these steps.
Getting Started
Once Google Drive File Stream is installed, a folder called Google Drive will appear on the left in Finder or File Explorer. This folder will contain both your personal Google Drive and any Team Drives you are part of. The only difference between these files and any other file on your computer is that these files are not stored on your computer by default, and any changes you make to them will sync automatically with your cloud storage.
macOS known issue: If you receive an error that says, Google Drive File Stream encountered a problem and has stopped, Go to System Preferences > Security and Privacy > Allow Google Drive Files Stream.
What are the features for Google Drive File Stream?
- Quickly see all your Google Drive files in Finder/Explorer (including Team Drives).
- Browse and organize Google Drive files without downloading all of them to your computer.
- Choose which files or folders you'd like to make available offline.
- Open files in common apps like Microsoft Office and Adobe Photoshop.
How much storage do I have for my Drive files?
UTK Google Accounts have unlimited storage.
Making Files Available Offline
By default, Google Drive File Stream does not store a copy of your files on your local computer. This means that if you do not have an Internet connection, you will not be able to access these files. In order make your files accessible offline, right-click on a file or folder and select Available Offline under the Drive File Stream menu. Please note that doing so will store a copy on your computer, using up more of your hard drive space.
Where can I get more information?
To get started with Drive, visit the Drive Help Center. Please note that to see this page and install the new app, you must log into Google with your UT Google Account username and password.
As of March 12, 2018 Google has discontinued Google Drive application for Mac. It has stopped working completely and all support of the application has been ended. Instead, Google has launched two substitute applications Backup and Sync & Drive File Stream that are meant to replace Drive’s original app.
Given that you have not been experiencing any Network connectivity issues, then Google Drive application should have already updated on its own. If not, however, then you may need to do the updating yourself.
How to Uninstall Google Drive from Mac
To get going on the update to new Drive synchronization applications from Google you will need to remove the old one from your Mac first.
It is important to note, that by removing the application you are not losing any of the synced up files. All of the items placed in Drive, are stored in the cloud and can be accessed through the web whenever you need them.
In order to uninstall the outdated Google Drive app from your Mac you will have to:
- Quit Google Drive
- Open Finder > Applications
- Select and move Google Drive.app to Trash
- In Finder hold Shift-Command-G to be able to access the following directories using Go to the folder feature
- ~/Library/Cookies/
- ~/Library/Preferences/
- ~/Library/Containers/
- ~/Library/Group Containers/
- ~/Library/Application Scripts/
- Find and remove all com.google.GoogleDrive relates files and folders
- Purge the bin by ctrl-clicking > Empty Trash
After the old application has been removed, you can freely install either of the two new apps. Drive File Stream app is reminiscent of the old Google Drive for Mac but is now aimed at teams and collaboration. Backup and Sync, on the other hand, is a lighter client meant for personal use and provides no access to Team Drives. What it does is provide quick access to personal Drive files, instead of storing them on your local drive.
How to Install Backup and Sync from Google on Mac
For an average user, the changes to the Drive app are for the better. Most users will be picking up Backup and Sync as it’s a lighter program which focuses on what you need without taking up tons of space on your Mac. Here is a quick guide on how you can get it up and running.
- Download Backup and Sync from Google
- When downloaded, open InstallBackupAndSync.dmg
- Move the app to Applications folder
- Launch the app and Sign in to begin using the app
![Stream Stream](/uploads/1/2/5/7/125763395/245538721.jpg)
Once you are done going through all the setup instructions and setting sync preferences, a Google Drive folder will appear in your Finder sidebar. Use this folder to access all the synced up files from your Google Drive.
How to Remove Google Drive Folder from Mac
Unfortunately, the Google Drive folder is there to stay as long as you want to continue using Backup and Sync app. This is the default folder where Google syncs your files to. Removing the folder will mean that you have to uninstall the application. With that in mind, here is how you can get rid of Google’s Backup and Sync:
- Quit Backup and Sync from Google
- Open Finder > Applications
- Select and move Backup and Sync from Google.app to Trash
- In Finder hold Shift-Command-G to be able to access the following directories using Go to the folder feature
- ~/Library/Cookies/
- ~/Library/Preferences/
- ~/Library/Containers/
- ~/Library/Group Containers/
- ~/Library/Application Scripts/
- Find and remove all google and Google Drive relates files and folders
- Don’t forget to clean the Trash by ctrl-clicking > Empty Trash
Completely uninstalling Google Drive or the new Backup and Sync from Google will remove the dedicated Google Drive folder from your Finder sidebar. Simply follow the steps above to delete the unwanted application. Your files will remain intact as everything within the Google folder is automatically synced up to the cloud.