Getting started with Google Drive for desktop (and working offline)
Open your Drive files from File Explorer or Finder, and keep them available without the internet
Google Drive for desktop puts your Google Drive, including My Drive and Shared drives, into File Explorer on Windows or Finder on Mac. You open and save files as normal, and they sync to the cloud automatically.
Step 1: Install and sign in
- Download Google Drive for desktop from google.com/drive/download. If your IT team has already installed it, skip to step 3.
- Run the installer: GoogleDriveSetup.exe on Windows or GoogleDrive.dmg on Mac.
- Sign in with your work Google account, not a personal Gmail.
- Your Drive now appears as Google Drive in File Explorer (usually the G: drive) or in the Finder sidebar.
Step 2: Stream or mirror?
Go to the Drive icon (in the system tray on Windows, or the menu bar on Mac) → ⚙ Settings → Preferences → Google Drive.
| Option | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Stream files (default) ✅ | Files stay in the cloud and download only when you open them. Uses almost no disk space. | Most people, and laptops with smaller drives |
| Mirror files | A full copy of My Drive is kept on your computer. | Working offline a lot, with plenty of disk space |
Our recommendation: stay on Stream, and make only the folders you need available offline (Step 3).
Step 3: Make files available offline
With streaming, files you haven't opened recently need the internet. To keep specific ones on your computer:
- In File Explorer or Finder, right-click the file or folder.
- Choose Offline access → Available offline.
- Wait for the green tick ✅ to appear. The files are now stored on your computer.
To free up space later, right-click and choose Offline access → Online only.
Travelling? Do this before you leave, while you still have a good connection. Folders are only available offline once they've finished downloading.
Step 4: Google Docs, Sheets and Slides offline
Google's own file types (Docs, Sheets, Slides) open in your browser, so they need a separate setting.
- Use Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge, not a private or incognito window.
- Install the Google Docs Offline extension.
- Go to drive.google.com/drive/settings and tick Offline ("Create, open and edit your recent Google Docs, Sheets and Slides files on this device while offline").
- In Drive on the web, right-click the files you need and turn on Make available offline.
Edits you make offline sync automatically when you're back online.
Good to know
- Files on your computer don't count towards your Google storage, and your Google storage doesn't fill your computer.
- Deleting a file in the Google Drive folder deletes it for everyone who has access, especially in Shared drives. If you only want to save space, use Online only instead.
- Save work files into Google Drive, not your Desktop or Documents folder, so they're backed up and shareable.
- The Drive icon shows sync status. If it says Paused or shows an error, click it for details.
Still stuck?
Raise a support ticket and include a screenshot of the Drive icon's status and the file or folder you're trying to reach.