Google Drive: how to save and synchronize all your PC and Mac documents?

Like other services clouds storage and sharing of data as OneDrive (Microsoft) or Dropbox, Google Drive already offered a file synchronization system. It was based on a Drive folder in which you could drop the files / folders that you wanted to save online to access it from any connected terminal.

Google has perfected its system and has just launched a new version called “Backup and synchronization” which therefore offers automated backup and synchronization of local folders present on computer Windows, Mac but also memory cards SD and USB devices. The main novelty is the ability to choose the folders you want to synchronize without having to change their original location to place them in a common folder. It is much more practical and simple.

Download and install Google Backup and Sync

To use this feature, you must have a Google account and online storage space on Google Drive which, in its free version, is up to 15 GB. Note that this user guide was produced on computer Windows 10. The procedure under macOS is globally identical, apart from the nomenclatures specific to the OS ofApple for the names of certain menus.

• To download theapplication Backup and synchronizationgo to the page of Google Drive or that of Google Photos. Once the file is uploaded to the Hard disk from your Windows or macOS computer, open it to start the installation.
• Click on the button Begin in the window of the application which then prompts you to enter your Google account credentials.

Select folders to back up to Google Drive

The next step is to choose the specific folders you want to back up and automatically sync to Google Drive.

• In the window that opens named My computer, you will find that by default Google Drive offers to synchronize Documents, Pictures and Computer folders (for the Windows version). If you want to back up all the data in these folders, leave the setting as is. Otherwise, uncheck these options and opt for a manual selection.
• To do this, click on Select Folder. You can then browse your computer’s hard drive, the contents of an SD memory card or a plugged-in USB device to choose the folder of your choice. Repeat the maneuver for each folder you want to add. Note that the Backup and Sync application only allows selecting folders and not individual files. Then click on the button Next.
• In the next window, you are offered to synchronize the content already present on Google Drive on the computer. Otherwise, you can uncheck this option. Then click on the button To start up to start the synchronization process.

Back up your photos and videos

If you plan to back up your Pictures folder as well as videos, Google gives you two options for file import size.

• The first option High quality applies a compression images but in return offers free and unlimited storage. Photos over 16 megapixels and videos over 1080p are resized.
• The second option original quality respects the original resolution of the image or video. But in this case, the online storage will be deducted from the amount of space you have. Choose this option only if you have a very spacious Google Drive storage or if you are a serious fan of photography and video who wants to be able to access their original files in all circumstances.
• Once the option is selected, you also have the option of asking the application to Import photos and videos into Google Photos. From then on, each addition of content in the Pictures folder on the computer will be reflected in the online service.
• Then click on the button Next to start the synchronization process as indicated above.

Use Backup and Sync

After the initial setup is complete, the Backup and Sync application performs an initial synchronization of all selected folders. The operation takes place in the background on the computer. On Windowsa icon white in the shape of cloud appears in the right area of ​​the taskbar.

• Click on this icon to open the application and follow the progress of a synchronization. This is how you can access Google Drive or Google Photos by clicking on their respective icons. Note that you can also access these services directly from your Navigator Internet if you have already saved a shortcut.
• On Google Drive, synchronized content is stored in the folder Computers and the subfolder My computer. This can be renamed if needed.
• It is possible to move folders to other locations in your Google Drive space. But then they will no longer be synchronized.

You can edit or add new folders to sync from your computer or USB device at any time. To do this, open the application by clicking on its icon in the taskbar (Windows) then open the Settings (three dots superimposed vertically) and click Preferences.

To completely stop the operation of the application, you must go to the Preferences and click on Account settings and other services. Then click on Unlink account and confirm your choice. Your Google Drive account will then be disconnected from the application.