How to Upgrade from Google Drive to Google File Stream

[@michaelxhermes]

It would have been really useful and less frustrating if you had said at the start that most google users CANNOT get File stream..... I did not have the option as your video showed... I am not a company!! Why this is the case I would be interested to know....

[@C2Solutions]

Thanks for your feedback. There is another tool called Google Backup and Sync for standard users

[@ash3rr]

There are third party ways of achieving the same result without a business account. I recall using it on Linux.

[@PWFarrell]

Just get a G Suite account. It's actually less expensive than comparable storage plans on G Drive.

[@reecedowley3851]

​@@ash3rr Expandrive

[@countstoneula]

Is there a way to use Google File Stream and have some of the files actually stored on the computer and not the cloud like the old Backup and Sync? Some of my other programs that rely on the content from those folders have experienced glitches since switching over. I can't go back to the old system because I need to be able to sync shared folders.

[@deancrabb]

Yes. When you use file stream it pulls a file down when you click it. however there is an option to store a folder locally permanently. If you want click the folder there is a option to "Store Locally". This will then sync all the files in that folder down to the computer.

[@countstoneula]

Dean Crabb awesome. I’ll check this out soon. Thanks so much!

[@fmorriso]

Why do I have to waste time viewing this video only to discover at approximately the 4:50 mark on November 21, 2020 that there is no "Download Drive File Stream for Windows" options under the gear icon? You need to mention this right up front so people don't waste time on videos that have no chance of being even the slightest bit useful to them.

[@Ricky-ez2nh]

There is no upgrading from Google Drive to File Stream. Change your title.

[@hello_emrah]

Mate you're doing god's work here. Thanks for the detailed video.

[@FullmoonPhantom-dn2sr]

I upgraded a while back or at least I think I did. I have google file stream in my documents just like google drive was. The upgrade notification keeps popping up though every time I turn the computer on? I also still have google drive. Do I have to uninstall google drive myself? I already moved the files just to make sure I had everything. I did that just now. Now I'm trying to figure out if I should upgrade again or if I should just uninstall google drive. Knowing me, I probably just downloaded google file stream. I probably didn't do anything else after thinking that it would have done everything for me.

[@tidalcreative]

Hey Dean, awesome video. I've just installed File Stream for my work account and it's all working, much quicker (and with less bugs) than Backup & Sync ever did. After I installed it, I was prompted to remove Backup & Sync for this account, which I did, but it's left all of the files on my computer. Everything is backed up to Drive, but the old Backup & Sync folder is still there taking up valuable space. I'm just wondering, can I safely delete that folder now? I contacted G Suite help but they weren't really very helpful. Cheers!

[@C2Solutions]

Hi sorry for the delay in replay. Was away for the weekend. Yes you should be able to remove it. To be safe, move the folder to another location for a few days, then check everything is still fine in your Google Drive. Once you are happy everything is there, you can remove it.

[@tidalcreative]

Thanks, that's actually what I did. Seems to be fine! I'm a little bit uneasy about not having the bulk my stuff physically saved on a local drive, but I guess that's something I just have to get my head around. Traditionally the files were stored locally and backed up in the cloud, now they're stored in the cloud and 'synced' locally. It just feels like I'm putting a lot of faith in Google's capacity to look after my stuff, that's all!

[@C2Solutions]

Yes, that is the way of the world now. You can always make a copy onto your own external backup drive for peace of mind. There is also other 3rd party cloud backup solutions that can make a copy of your Google Drive for recovery purposes too. Check out SpinBackup or Backupify. Cheers

[@tidalcreative]

Thanks for that. Really appreciate this video and your advice! Ideally I'd be able to simply backup my Drive to an external drive once or twice a month, without the files every having to make their way onto (and clogging up) my computer.

[@MulitSeeker]

Didnt even know this existed. Why dont Google send out emails about new tools and software?...thank you

[@ylaw9829]

Google Drive plug in will be deprecated soon. With Backup & Sync, can we still access the files on Drive in Microsoft suites like Excel or Word?

[@ChrisJobse]

Hi, nice video. Can I install a Drive File Stream for my business and a second drive connection for my personal environment? Currently I have the drive sync with my personal stuff.

[@aslavendre]

I have two laptops that work from the same drive account with the local drive on each. The other day I downloaded and installed filestream, which then never worked. The app is grayed out on my menu bar and it just spins. I did not do any of the steps you shared with removing the old files first....which Google fails to share in their help forums. I watched you video, but got lost on what you where and how you did the top cover.... I have no idea what you are talking about and where to find that. I am running Mac High Sierra if that makes any difference to how these files are listed. Help!!! I am also in an organization using Google Suite non-profit account. I already checked with IT and it is not a admin panel issue.

[@C2Solutions]

Hi thanks for your question. "The app is grayed out on my menu bar and it just spins." - The app icon is grey this time. It doesn't go colourful when its connected like the last icon. It'll spin at first for a bit when its connecting and creating its internal cache. If it keeps going, try rebooting your Mac and seeing if that helps. If not trying stopping the filestream and starting it again. And lastly, trying removing it and reinstalling it again. "but got lost on what you where and how you did the top cover" - I"m not quite sure what you mean by this. Can you describe it more or give me the time in the video you are talking about? Lastly, if you are part of a Google organisation you have to ensure that your administrator has turned on the setting to allow Filestream to work, otherwise it won't work.

[@AndreaSlavenDRE]

C2 Solutions your solution was exactly what apple support had me do the other day! That was the solution! When in doubt reboot! But thank you for getting back to my question.

[@C2Solutions]

You're welcome. Normally I answer sooner but was away for the weekend. A reboot is sometimes required as the filestream does a bit of magic in how it displays files on your computer, which means it can need a reboot to register the software install properly.

[@jamilmazzawi2775]

hi, Thanks for the video, very informative... I have a problem, that I did not upgrade to Google stream yet and now, the Google Sync does not work, I get "THis legacy Drive app is no longer syncing, we recommend installing Drive File Stream"... I also have many files that are synced with the cloud... how do I migrate now? thanks in advance....

[@C2Solutions]

Jamil Mazzawi if they have all synced to the cloud then you should be fine to upgrade, just follow the video. Just gets a little bit more difficult if some of them haven't synced yet, and working out which ones haven't and then making the effort to sync them up in the new version

[@C2Solutions]

But basically it's very simple if all of the files are synced. Just install the new version, login and all of your files will be there.

[@jamilmazzawi2775]

the problem is not all the files are synced.... how do I deal with that? can I sync them using Stream? or do I need to sync them using drive?

[@C2Solutions]

Well you can't sync using drive now, you indicated it's not working. You'll have in install stream, then do a folder comparison between the old folder and the new folder to work out what hasn't synced up. Then copy over those individual files from the old drive folder to the new stream folder. To do the folder/file comparison you can use a tool like Beyond Compare 4

[@neutrinopluto]

Great vid Dean. How do I sync the same folder across multiple devices ie PC, MacBook? (I'm converting from Dropbox, which does this automatically once the app is downloaded and logged in under the same account across both devices). Also, can the files be synced onto a Samsung Galaxy phone so offline content is available there too? I ask because internet coverage is not always guaranteed where I live (South Island, NZ)

[@C2Solutions]

Neutrino, yes the same principle applies as Dropbox. Just install the Filestream app on PC or MacBook and they'll sync across multiple devices no problems. Google is designed to be, what I call, "agnostic to the device". That is, Google will work on any device. Definitely works on Samsung Phone, I had it on mine before I recently upgraded to the new Pixel 2 phone. Just install the Google Drive app. And yes you can make files offline. Go into the cog symbol in Google Drive in the chrome browser, and click to make files available offline. See this article support.google.com/drive/answer/2375012?hl=en

[@murtidevelopers1121]

How to upload a file in Google File Stream?

[@C2Solutions]

Hey Murti, that is exactly the video we did last week. Here is the link kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZ7UiXiGnJl_kKs

[@spirit3soul]

HI - I am hoping you can help me out a moment or lead me in a direction. I would ask google support but can't log in. I haven't been able to get into my google drive for over 2 months (of course have important files to get) - I would sign in and it just kept saying server error try again later, although it did show my avatar in the top right that showed I was signed in. (I do know my login details) So I went to support and try sign in, but it doesn't take there at all. I changed to google DNS on pc. I uninstalled my anti-virus thinking that had something to do with it, yet now when I sign in to drive - it shows my avatar - but says you are not signed in, please sign in. I have searched the Google universe and nothing has worked. I can sign into other google apps, like gmail. So, in tears - do you know of anyone or anything that can help me. I just don't know where to go from here. Their FB page is just for posts (no real interaction). I'm all ears and I apologize for asking here, but it sounded like you are cloud savvy.

[@C2Solutions]

Hi thanks for reaching out. That does sound a bit weird. Go to my website and contact me through our contact page and I'll send you a link to book in with me for a quick 15 support call. It might be an easy fix or at least guide you in the right direction. c2solutions.com.au/contact/

[@spirit3soul]

Thank you will do

[@spirit3soul]

Contact form keeps saying 'Processing' so don't know if it went through - let me know

[@C2Solutions]

Go it. Link sent to you.

[@burdGIS]

Thanks for this. Really useful. I'd renamed my old Google Drive folder (years ago) and somewhere along the process a new folder called "Google Drive" was created. This was in addition to the new Google Drive File Stream drive. After I'd unsynced all folders in the old Google Drive I did a bit of testing. The "Google Drive" folder was mirroring my original renamed drive folder but any changes weren't reflected in the new Google Drive File Stream. Which is the behaviour I was hoping for. Mass deletion of local files to follow :)

[@deancrabb]

burdGIS Hi it's late in the night here but I'll reply tomorrow with a more comprehensive response to help you through this confusion.

[@burdGIS]

Get some rest Dean! It's all working with the behaviour I would expect and so there's no confusion at this end :) As I said it's just a bit of a nail biter deleting the local files (and was confusing that G-Drive of FileStream had created a mirrored folder of the original G-Drive folder). All good though! Happily deleting away.

[@deancrabb]

Hey BurdGIS, if you watch the video the trick is to unsync the old Google Drive first, that will remove the local files. If you still have files left, what I'd do is copy the Google Drive files to another location (so I have a backup), or rename it so its different "Google Drive - OLD" or something. Then keep it there for a while until you are comfortable when you look at Filestream and know its all there. Filestream though doesn't point or use the old Google Drive folder so you should be save. But I always like to be cautious so make a copy somewhere else or rename it. Hope that helps.

[@franciscogilberto-barajasm7380]

Hi Dean, I have downloaded the new Drive File Stream before I made sure to unsync the old Google Drive application. What recommendations do you have if I have already downloaded the new Drive File Stream?

[@bitkahuna]

that feeling when you have 3362 emails in your inbox

[@reecedowley3851]

Um why is your website not secure?

[@simonfreegard8940]

Thanks for the great video. Most helpful!

[@C2Solutions]

You're welcome. Glad you liked it! Be sure to subscribe

[@C2Solutions]

Oh, and I'll be doing a video on Google's Backup and Sync in the next week or so too

[@wellsnapyeah]

That's just what I needed. Thank you.

[@sayed_r]

Thank you for the awesome tutorial, sir

[@C2Solutions]

Glad you liked it.