In short, using a cloud storage application such as Google Drive can be more useful than an SD card or USB memory both for making backup copies and sharing files, since they will always be safe from possible theft, system failures or the unit, losses, etc.
Different ways to sync files and folders
Next, we are going to see different ways that we can carry out to synchronize all the content of our computer with the Google Drive cloud.
Getting Started with Google Drive on Windows
Google has its own desktop application for Windows that we can use to synchronize files and folders. Through it, we will be able to manage the folders on our computer that we want to synchronize with Google Drive or those that we want to create a backup in Google Photos, accessing all the content directly from our PC or Mac.
Once we have executed the installation file of the application as such, on the screen we will find a window that proposes an initial configuration wizard. Here we can go customizing some parameters that will not be very useful for the implementation of the program. The first thing we find is a screen where we have to enter our experience from access to log in. Obviously here we will have to use those corresponding to our Google account.
Once we have authenticated in the search giant app and we have logged in, then we only have to establish the folders on our PC that we are going to want to synchronize with Google Drive. It is worth knowing that this is a step that is initially optional, since we can configure these folders later.
From here we will also have the possibility to choose which Google Drive files we want to download and synchronize. To make things even easier for us, we will have the option to choose them all, as well as the disk location that we want to use.
Customize the timing
Once installed, it will create a shortcut in the system tray. If we click on it with the right button we can access its section Preferences, clicking on the gear icon.
This will open a new window. From the My PC/Laptop tab, click on the button add folder. In this way, we will be able to select the folders that we want to make a backup copy of and add them to the cloud.
Then it will ask us if we want to synchronize with Google Drive O well back up to google photosand click on Made to confirm.
Later, we can choose whether to synchronize the entire drive on our PC or synchronize specific folders in Google Drive that we can add manually by clicking on the Add folder button. Once the selection is made, click on Keep to make sure all selected content is automatically synced to Google Drive.
Sync with the drive created by Google Drive
With the installation of the Drive desktop application, a new Google Drive unit will be created in the system as we can see from Windows File Explorer. All our files stored in Google Drive can be found here. If we double click on this folder and then double click on My unit It will show us all the files and folders that are saved in the cloud.
If we add any file or folder it will automatically be synchronized with the cloud, so if we access Google Drive on the web we will see how it is instantly available. Therefore, we only have to drag and drop any file on the folder or through the Copy and Paste commands for synchronization to take place. We can also drag it from the file explorer or using any other application to manage files, since in the end, what we want is for the file to be available on that unit, it doesn’t matter exactly how it arrives.
Use third-party programs
Another possibility is to carry out the synchronization of our folders with Google Drive through third-party applications such as the ones we are going to see below. In addition, we must bear in mind that these programs offer us some interesting additional functions that will allow us to get more out of these cloud storage services. What’s more, we can do all this in a simple way thanks to the graphical interface that they offer us and without having to pay a single euro.
AOMEI Backupper
This program allows us to synchronize any file or folder that we want, and that is both outside or inside the Google Drive folder. It also allows us to configure this task so that it is carried out with a certain frequency (daily, weekly or monthly). It is in charge of synchronizing newly added files and changes to Google Drive by default, although we can also choose whether to synchronize deleted items from the local folder.
In addition to being able to carry out an automatic synchronization of the local folder with Google Drive, it also allows you to synchronize it with other cloud storage systems such as OneDrive or Dropbox. The program has a free version that we can download.
Once installed, click on Synchronize and then on basic synchronization on the right side of the window. Then we click on the button add folder to select the folders to synchronize from our computer.
Then we click on the lower drop-down menu and choose the option of Select a cloud drive, where we will see all available cloud storage devices, so we choose Google Drive and click OK. Finally, we confirm that everything is correct and click Synchronization to start.
The best
Thanks to this application we will have the possibility of synchronizing the contents between various cloud storage services in addition to the one mentioned by Google and about which we have spoken before. It is also worth knowing that from a single window of the application’s main interface we will have at our disposal a multitude of functions related to this type of content synchronization.
Worst
Mainly due to all the modes of operation and use that this application offers us to synchronize files in the cloud, at first its interface can be a bit confusing until we get used to how it works.
Wondershare InClowdz
We are talking about an application specially designed to facilitate the synchronization of a local folder with our Google Drive account and vice versa. It is also in charge of making it easy for us to migrate files from one drive to another, as well as managing files on our cloud drive.
With this program it will be possible to make a backup copy of our music, photo and video files to keep our files safe. Also, we can manage all cloud drives like Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, among others, in one place. We can download it.
Once installed the first thing will be log in and create a new account.
Later we are going to connect our unit with the cloud with which we will choose Google Drive from the list of available options to synchronize between the program and our account.
From the section of Manage we will be able to add our Drive account for which we must follow the instructions on the screen to be able to use it. Next, we click on Google Drive to open the application. We select the files that we want to synchronize and we right click and choose the corresponding option in its options menu.
I like
In addition to the content synchronization functions that we have talked about in these lines, it also offers us the facility to migrate all kinds of content and files from one storage service to another. Therefore, if we have an account on various platforms with these characteristics, this program will be extremely useful. It is compatible with services as popular as Google Drive, Dropbox or OneDrive.
I like less
It is true that we have the possibility of working with different cloud storage services from a single window, but sometimes its use can be somewhat confusing due to all the proposals it presents.
Use Google Drive via browser
Google Drive, like Chrome, is not characterized by being an application that consumes few resources and sometimes, it can considerably delay the start of Windows, especially when it is a computer short of resources and if, in addition, we use an HDD in SSD place. If this is our case, we must consider the possibility of working with the files stored in Google Drive directly from the browser, if we also use Google Docs, since all the changes will be made directly in the cloud without the need to download them to the computer and then return to upload them.
But, if the format of the files is not compatible, we can download them to our computer, dragging them from the browser to our desktop, editing them with the corresponding application and, finally, dragging them back to the browser where Google Drive is open. Although it is true that it does not allow us to synchronize the files, if the number of files that we need on a day-to-day basis is very small, we can opt for this solution, especially if our team is short of resources or if we use an HDD. But, we need to always have a large number of files at hand, the best solution will still be to use the Google Drive application, there is no other really valid option.
Another possibility that we can consider, if our computer’s resources are limited, is to remove Google Drive from Windows startup and run it only when we know that we are going to need it to modify a file. In this way, we will reduce the start-up time necessary for the equipment to be ready to work and it will only come into operation when necessary. This is a solution that over time can become uncomfortable, so if our economy allows us, we should consider the possibility of replacing the HDD with an SSD.
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