How to Sync Your Desktop PC with Google Drive (and Google Photos)

Staying organized across devices is a must—especially when you’re juggling files between your PC, phone, and cloud accounts. Google Drive and Google Photos make it easy to access your documents, photos, and videos from anywhere. But what’s the simplest way to sync your desktop PC with these tools?

Here’s your step-by-step guide.

1. Download Google Drive for Desktop

First, grab the official Google Drive for Desktop app. It’s free and works with both Windows and Mac.

• Go to Google Drive for Desktop download page.
• Click Download Drive for desktop and run the installer.
• Follow the setup instructions.

Once installed, you’ll see a new “Google Drive” folder in your File Explorer.

2. Sign in and Choose Folders to Sync

• Open Google Drive for Desktop and sign in with your Google account.
• Choose whether you want to Stream files (saves space on your PC, files are online until you open them) or Mirror files (keeps all files offline on your PC, uses more disk space).
• You can also choose which folders on your PC you want to Back up to Google Drive. Click the gear icon > Preferences > Add folder.

Tip: If you only want to sync specific folders, select them during setup. You can adjust this anytime in Preferences.

3. Sync Google Photos (Optional, but Recommended)

Google Drive for Desktop lets you automatically upload photos and videos to Google Photos.

• In Preferences, go to the Google Photos section.
• Choose the folders containing your photos (for example, your “Pictures” library).
• Decide whether to upload photos and videos in their original quality or “Storage saver” (compressed, but uses less space).

Now, every time you add or edit photos in those folders, they’ll upload to Google Photos automatically.

4. Access Your Files Anywhere

Now, your chosen files and folders are always up to date between your PC and the cloud.

• On your PC: Open the Google Drive folder like any other folder to drag, drop, copy, or open files.
• On the web: Go to drive.google.com or photos.google.com to access your files from anywhere.

5. Keep It Running Smoothly

• Make sure Google Drive for Desktop is set to start with Windows. You can check this in the app’s Preferences.
• Regularly check your Google storage usage. Google gives you 15 GB free, shared across Drive, Gmail, and Photos. Upgrade if needed.

Common Questions

Will this back up everything on my PC?
No, only the folders you select. You control what syncs.

Can I stop syncing certain folders later?
Yes, go to Preferences > Folders and deselect any you don’t want.

Does deleting files from Google Drive on my PC delete them from the cloud?
Yes—deleting from your synced folder will delete from Drive everywhere. Be careful!

Final Thoughts

Syncing your desktop PC with Google Drive (and Google Photos) means less worrying about lost files and more time getting things done. Set it up once, and your files are always with you—no USB sticks or emailing yourself attachments.

Have questions or run into issues? Drop them in the comments—I’m here to help.

Mark Vincent

Tech enthusiast and content creator passionate about making technology simple for everyone. I share practical tips, guides, and reviews on the latest in computers, software, and gadgets. Let’s explore the digital world together!