It's an Editors' Choice for file storage and syncing. Google Drive is truly impressive in how it can help you store, back up, create, and even edit files, whether you work solo or as part of a team. Paid plans, which add extra storage space and other perks, are branded as Google One, and you get a lot for your money. Consumers can specify any folder on their device for backup and save space by not duplicating files on local storage.

You can use Google Drive to store documents you create online as well as to back up files on your computer. It's also an integral part of a full, collaborative office suite. Google Drive is much more than just a cloud-based storage and syncing service with an excellent free storage plan. How to Set Up Two-Factor Authentication.How to Record the Screen on Your Windows PC or Mac.How to Convert YouTube Videos to MP3 Files.How to Save Money on Your Cell Phone Bill.How to Free Up Space on Your iPhone or iPad.How to Block Robotexts and Spam Messages.Under 'My Drive syncing options,' select Stream files or Mirror files.Configure My Drive for streaming or mirroring You can stream or mirror My Drive, depending on your preferences. Additionally, files from shared drives, other computers, and backed-up USB devices can only be streamed. While you can choose whether to mirror or stream your My Drive files, other folders on your device can only be mirrored. Learn more about streaming behavior with macOS. Important: Recent versions of macOS may have a slightly different streaming behavior. You can access files through a mounted drive on your computer. All files, including those available offline, can be accessed only when the app is running. Files that are not available offline can only be accessed when you’re connected to the internet. Hard drive space is only used when you open files or make them available offline. With streaming, your files are stored in the cloud. You can access files through a folder on your computer. You can access your files at any time, even when you don’t have an internet connection or the Drive for desktop app running. With mirroring, your files are stored in the cloud and on your computer, which takes up hard drive space. In both cases, any changes you make to your files on one device will be reflected everywhere. Mirroring and streaming are two ways to sync your files.

Google drive desktop vs backup and sync