How to add Google Drive to File Explorer’s sidebar (just like OneDrive or Dropbox)

If you’re a Google Drive user on Windows, you’ve probably noticed that it doesn’t show up in File Explorer’s sidebar by default — unlike OneDrive or Dropbox. That little detail can slow down your workflow. But with a quick setup, you can pin Google Drive right where it belongs: in the left-hand navigation pane of File Explorer.

Here’s how to do it.

Step 1: Install Google Drive for Desktop

First, you need to have Google Drive for desktop installed. If you haven’t already:

1. Go to https://www.google.com/drive/download/
2. Download and install Drive for desktop.
3. Sign in with your Google account.

After installation, Google Drive should appear as a mounted drive (usually under the “This PC” section), but not in the sidebar.

Step 2: Pin Google Drive to Quick Access (Optional)

You can right-click the Google Drive folder and select “Pin to Quick access”. It’s a quick workaround, but it won’t make it appear under “This PC” like OneDrive.

If you want the real deal—Google Drive listed alongside other cloud drives—keep going.

Step 3: Add Google Drive to the Sidebar with a Registry Tweak

⚠️ Warning: Editing the Windows Registry can cause system issues if done incorrectly. Follow the steps carefully and back up your registry before proceeding.

1. Open the Registry Editor:

• Press Windows + R, type regedit, and hit Enter.

2. Navigate to the following path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace

3. Add a New Key:

• Right-click on the NameSpace folder → New → Key.
• Name the key: {815C3CE6-AC77-4E40-AB5F-7B8E7F157091}

4. Set the Display Name (Optional):

This step is only necessary if Drive still doesn’t show the correct name/icon. You can tweak it by adjusting the registry entry at:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{815C3CE6-AC77-4E40-AB5F-7B8E7F157091}

If the folder doesn’t exist, create it. Then inside it:

• Create a string value called Default and set it to Google Drive
• Create another string value called System.IsPinnedToNameSpaceTree and set it to 1

Step 4: Restart Explorer

To see the change:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Find and select Windows Explorer.
3. Click Restart at the bottom right.

Now Google Drive should appear in the left-hand sidebar, just like OneDrive or Dropbox.

Final Notes

• This method pins the Drive globally for all users unless you’re modifying the user-specific hive.
• If you ever uninstall Drive or move the folder, you’ll need to redo or remove the registry entry.
• If you’re uncomfortable with registry tweaks, tools like Drive File Stream often auto-configure this—just make sure it’s up to date.

Conclusion

Adding Google Drive to File Explorer’s sidebar isn’t built-in like it is for OneDrive, but with a quick registry edit, you can make your workflow smoother. For heavy Google Drive users on Windows, this small tweak can save time and clicks every day.

Have questions or want a video tutorial version of this guide? Let me know in the comments.