Create Desktop Shortcut Google Drive

You can Download Google Drive as an application from Google. You install it and it will create a synchronized folder in 'My Computer' besides the drives. It will also create a shortcut on the desktop. You can drag things out and into the drive or into the shortcut. While in Google Chrome, go to the website (ex: www.tenforums.com) you want to create a shortcut to on your desktop. Click/tap on the Customize and control Google Chrome (More) button, click/tap on More tools, and click/tap on Create shortcut. (see screenshot below) 3.

1. Google Drive Desktop Shortcut Icon
2. How To Create Google Shortcut
3. Create Desktop Shortcut For Google Drive

• You can add Google Drive to your desktop on a PC in addition to using it on a web browser.
• Adding the Google Drive app to your desktop will enable you to sync your documents and files from your computer to Google Drive.

Google Drive is popular for its free programs, ease of access, and compatibility with Gmail and other Google products.

You can download Google Drive to your PC desktop as well, enabling your computer to sync your files with Google Drive automatically.

Here's how to add Google Drive to your desktop using a PC.

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How to add Google Drive to your PC desktop

1. If you are logged in to your Google account on an internet browser, you must log out temporarily to install Google on your desktop.

2. Once you have logged out, go to drive.google.com and scroll down to the bottom of the webpage. Under the 'Downloads' column, click on 'Drive for Mac/PC.'

3. A new tab will open. Next to the 'For Individuals' banner, click on 'Download.'

4. A pop-up window will appear. Click the 'Agree and Download' button.

5. A program called 'installbackupandsync.exe' will begin downloading in your internet browser.

6. Click on the program, and it should begin installing once it has finished downloading.

7. Once the installation is complete, click 'Close' to exit the pop-up window.

8. Google Drive should now appear on your desktop. Look for a window called 'Welcome to Backup and Sync' and click on the 'Get Started' button.

9. Type in your Gmail address, click 'Next,' and then type in your Gmail password. Click 'Next' when you are finished.

10. Set your laptop's preferences for upload quality and file size. When you are finished, click 'Next.'

10. Set your laptop's preferences for upload quality and file size. When you are finished, click 'Next.'

11. Set your Google Drive syncing preferences. You can sync the entirety of your computer to Google Drive, or select specific folders to sync. Once you are finished, click 'Start.'

After Google Drive is downloaded to your desktop, you will also see shortcuts to Drive programs such as Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Slides.

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Windows syncs with One Drive by default and you can access the One Drive files right from the File Explorer. There are even a few other apps like Creative Cloud that will sync with the File Explorer right after installing Adobe Creative Cloud apps. However, if you are a heavy Google Drive user like myself and want to view all your Drive files right from the File Explorer, setting it up is as easy as installing an application from Google. Let's add Google Drive to Windows File Explorer.

Add Google Drive To Windows File Explorer

Unlike the Google Drive app which only worked online, Backup & Sync will create a Google Drive folder right inside the file explorer and let you access the files offline. You can delete or drop files into that folder and the changes take effect in Drive instantaneously. Begin by downloading Backup and Sync from Google on your computer. Run the app and click on ‘Get started'.

Google Drive Desktop Shortcut Icon

The next step is to connect your Google account to the app. Sign in with your Google Account proceed to the next step.

On this page, the app will create a copy of the files on your computer in Google Drive. This will allow you to access all the locally stored files from around the world. Select the folders that you want to backup to Drive automatically. In my case, I chose Desktop, Documents, and Pictures.

If you wish to backup your photos to Google Photos, toggle this checkbox marked in red below and click 'Next'.

Now, it's time to create a folder that will store a copy of your Drive files. Check the box next to 'Sync My Drive to this computer' and set the location of that folder. The app will sync all the cloud files to this folder. Click the Start button to finalize the setup.

You can either choose to sync everything or a few selected folders to the local folder on your computer. The files and folder that you choose on this page will show up locally and you can even access them when you're offline. Yes, you'd be able to change the folder afterward as well.

Click on Start and click on Continue on the Pop-up.

Now, you can see the Google Drive folder in the location that you set during configuration. It may take time to get all your drive files depending on your data and the internet connection.

The folders that you chose to back up to Drive will give you the visual representation with a green tick mark.

You can also check the backup status from the taskbar as well. This will give you a log of all the files that have been backed up or downloaded.

If you delete a file from the Google Drive folder in the File Explorer, it won't be deleted from the Drive. This feature is disabled by default so that you don't accidentally delete all the files from your Drive. However, if you want to enable this feature, click the Backup and Sync icon from the System Tray > Click the three-dot menu > Preferences> My Laptop> Always remove both copies.

Fair warning, you will lose all your data if you accidentally delete the local folder.

How To Create Google Shortcut

If you want to back up files that are just shared with you and not actually on your Google Drive, simply open Google Drive in a web browser> Shared with me> Right-click on the Shared file or folder and click on Add to My Drive. Download os x el capitan 10 11 5 combo update.

It will start syncing to your computer and you would be able to access that file from the File Explorer.

For Gsuite Users

If you have a Gsuite account, Drive File Stream app would make more sense for you. Gsuite account is nothing but a work or school account. For example, adam@techwiser.com is probably a G Suite account, whereas adam@gmail.com is a regular account.

Start by downloading and installing Drive File Stream app on your computer and follow the on-screen instructions.

Just like we did before, Log in with your Google account and proceed to the next step.

Create Desktop Shortcut For Google Drive

Unlike Backup and Sync, there are no more settings to change and instead of creating a Folder, it creates a separate Drive that gives you a dedicated space to access the files.

Unlike Backup and Sync, you cannot back up local files to Drive by simply dragging and dropping the files to the shared drive.

Wrapping up

After all these extra features, ‘Backup and Sync' and ‘Drive File Stream' apps are obviously better than the Google Drive app which we can use in the browser anyways. And they also help to copy and paste files between folders in Drive which is not that easy task on the website.

And you cannot use both the apps at the same time for the same account. Regular users cannot use the Drive File Stream app and for G Suite users, it's better to go with Drive File Stream as you can also view the files shared to you right from the File Explorer.