How to Use Google Drive on Windows 11 (Install & Set Up)

Google Drive is useful

Google Drive is a cloud storage and file synchronization service provided by Google. It allows users to store, access, and share files and folders from any device with an internet connection. Google Drive brings many benefits as follows:

• Generous storage: Google Drive provides 15 GB of free storage to each user, which includes space for Gmail and Google Photos as well. Additionally, you have the option to purchase additional storage if needed.
• Cross-platform access: Google Drive can be accessed from various devices and platforms, including web browsers, Windows and Mac computers, iOS and Android devices. This ensures that your files are available to you anytime, anywhere.
• File synchronization: By installing the Google Drive application on your computer or mobile device, you can synchronize your files and folders across all your devices. Any changes made to the files on one device will automatically be reflected on all other devices connected to your Google Drive account.
• Collaboration and sharing: Google Drive makes it easy to collaborate with others by allowing you to share files and folders with specific individuals or groups. You can set permissions to control whether others can view, comment, or edit your files. Real-time collaboration is possible on Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides.
• Data security and backup: Google Drive employs robust security measures to protect your files. It encrypts data during transmission and storage, and offers two-factor authentication for enhanced account security. Additionally, Google Drive acts as a backup solution, safeguarding your files in the event of device loss, damage, or data corruption.

👉 How to install and set up Google Drive for Windows 11
👉 Best free alternative to Google Drive in Windows 11/10/8/7🔥

How to install and set up Google Drive for Windows 11

To help users sync files between PC and Google Drive, Google released an app called Drive for desktop. Learn how to use it below:

1. Download and install Google Drive for desktop on Windows 11. Then, log in your Google drive.

2. Open Google Drive for desktop app. Then click on the Drive for desktop icon in the taskbar, hit the Settings button and choose Preferences.
3. At My Computer section, click Add folder to continuously sync files from computer to Google Drive.

Then choose Sync with Google Drive or Back up to Google Photos based on your need. Click Done and then Save to begin file synchronization.

4. At the Google Drive section, you can choose the way to sync files from Google Drive to the computer: Stream files or Mirror files. Stream files is recommended to save space on your computer hard drive. Confirm your settings and click Save. It may require a restart to make the changes take effect.

Use Google Drive in File Explorer

After you set up the Drive for desktop app, it will create a virtual drive named Google Drive on your computer. You can use it to sync PC folders with Google Drive. Follow the guidance below:

1. Press Windows + E keys to open File Explorer. Go to Google Drive and open the My Drive menu.
2. You will see all the files and folders with a little cloud icon. That means these files and folders are online only. 

Note: If you’d like to make them offline, right-click on the file/folder, select Offline access > Available offline.

3. Drag and drop PC files or folders into the My Drive menu. They will be synced to Google Drive cloud client automatically.

Useful tips to enhance user experience with Google Drive

Tip 1: Set Up Multiple Google Accounts

If you have multiple Google accounts, you can switch between them in Google Drive on Windows 11. Click on your profile picture in the top-left corner and choose "Add another account."

Tip 2: Keyboard Shortcuts

Use Ctrl + Alt + G to search your Google Drive files and folders.

Tip 3: Explore Google Drive Mobile Apps

Install the Google Drive mobile app on your smartphone or tablet for on-the-go access to your files. Enable automatic photo and video backups for seamless synchronization.

Best free alternative to Google Drive in Windows 11/10/8/7

It is not difficult to sync files with Google Drive. However, users find Google Drive not syncing sometimes. If you don’t want to spend too much time seeking solutions and trying them one by one, you can turn to the best free alternative to Google Drive – AOMEI Backupper Standard.

• It enables you to sync files on your computer to different cloud drives, including OneDrive, Dropbox, Cloudme, etc.
• It also enables you to sync files between two computers, such as sync a laptop and a desktop.
• It offers the Schedule Sync feature to sync changed files automatically.
• It is compatible with all editions of Windows 11/10/8/7.

Now download free AOMEI Backupper and use the following steps to sync local files to other cloud drives. Take OneDrive as an example.

AOMEI Backupper

Best free file sync software for personal use.

Download Freeware
Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7

Step 1. Tap the Search button on the taskbar and type “onedrive” in the search box. Click the top result and sign in with your Microsoft account.

Step 2. Install and launch AOMEI Backupper. Click Sync and select Basic Sync.

Step 3. Edit the task name based on your needs. Click Add Folder to select the folder(s) you want to sync.

Step 4. Expand the drop-down menu of the second bar and choose Select a cloud drive. Then choose OneDrive as destination.

Note: If you cannot find OneDrive in the list, then click Select a local path and manually navigate to the OneDrive local folder. The default path is C:\Users\Username\OneDrive.

Step 5. Confirm the operation and click Start Sync.

Helpful features you may need:
👉 If you want to sync files as soon as they change, you could upgrade to AOMEI Backupper Professional to enjoy the Real-Time Sync feature. Besides, Mirror Sync and Two-Way Sync (bidirectional sync) are also available in Pro edition or higher.
👉 If you create an AOMEI account, you can also backup files/folders to AOMEI cloud. It offers you 1TB of free storage for 15 days after you sign up for an AOMEI account.

Conclusion

That’s all about how to install and set up Google Drive on Windows 11. In case of Google Drive not working, you can use AOMEI Backupper to sync PC folders with other cloud drives, such as OneDrive, Dropbox, and Cloudme. What’s more, AOMEI Backupper is a professional cloning program that enables you to clone dynamic disk to basic. Don’t hesitate to try it out!