How to Move Google Drive to Desktop
In short: To move Google Drive to desktop, first decide what you want. For real copies of your files, install Google Drive for desktop from google.com/drive/download and set My Drive to Mirror. You can also download a folder from drive.google.com. To change where the synced folder lives, use Mirror and point it at a folder on your Desktop. Stream mode keeps files in the cloud, while Mirror stores them on your PC.
Two things “move to desktop” can mean
There is no single move button in Google Drive, so the search hides two different goals. Knowing which one is yours saves a lot of time.
- You want copies of your files on the desktop, to work offline or to free up cloud space. That is a download, done through the web or the Mirror mode of the desktop app.
- You want to change where Drive keeps its synced folder, for example on your Desktop rather than the default location. That is a setting in the desktop app.
Both are below. If you are not sure, the first one is what most people mean.
Senior Analyst, Corbett Software
“People expect a simple move button and there is not one. Two questions really hide in one. Do you want copies of your files on the desktop? Or a change to where Drive keeps its synced folder? The web gives you a zipped download for copies, while the app in Mirror mode lets you pick the folder, even the Desktop itself.”
Get local copies with the Drive app
This is the proper way to keep Drive on your computer and in sync. The app is Google Drive for desktop, which replaced the older Backup and Sync and Drive File Stream and merged both.
- Download Google Drive for desktop from google.com/drive/download, then install it. On Windows run the .exe, on Mac open the .dmg and drag the app to Applications.
- Launch it and sign in. Drive appears as a location on your PC, a drive under This PC on Windows or a volume named Google Drive in the Finder on Mac. You can add up to four accounts.
- Open Settings then Preferences then Folders from Drive, then under My Drive syncing options choose Mirror files.
- Pick the local folder for the copies, then Save. Drive downloads your files there and keeps them synced.
Stream vs Mirror: which to choose
This one setting decides whether files are really on your computer. Here is the difference:
| Mode | Where files live | Disk space | Offline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stream | In the cloud, shown as a drive | Almost none | Only files marked available offline |
| Mirror | Full copies on your PC and the cloud | Full size of your Drive | Yes, everything |
Choose Mirror for true local copies and full offline access, if you have the disk space. Choose Stream to save space, then mark just a few folders available offline by right-clicking them and picking Offline access. One warning: Mirror is two-way, so deleting a file on your PC deletes it in Drive too, where it sits in Trash for 30 days.
Change where Drive stores your folder
If you already use the app and only want the synced folder somewhere else, such as your Desktop, you set that in Mirror mode. Streamed files cannot be freely moved, so the trick is to point Mirror at the folder you want.
- Open the Google Drive for desktop menu, then Settings then Preferences.
- Under Google Drive, disconnect the account. If your version shows the mirror folder setting directly, open that instead.
- Reconnect, choose Mirror files, then set the folder location to one on your Desktop.
- Save it. Drive then rebuilds the mirrored copy in the new place.
Move Google Drive to desktop without the app
If you only need a one-time copy and do not want to install anything, download straight from the web.
- A folder or a few files: go to drive.google.com, right-click a folder and choose Download. To grab several files, hold Ctrl or Cmd, click each one, then right-click and Download. Drive zips them and saves them to your Downloads, ready to unzip.
- Everything at once: use Google Takeout, deselect all products except Drive, then export. Google prepares an archive that suits a full backup or leaving Google.
Two things to know. Files under Shared with Me do not download this way until you add them to My Drive first. And a very large download can fail with a “cannot download at this time” message, so split it into smaller batches or use the app instead.
Moving off Google? Back up your email too
People who pull their Drive files onto a PC are often leaving Google or building a full local backup. If that is you, remember your Gmail lives only in the cloud as well, so it is worth saving the same way. Our guide on how to download your Gmail emails to your computer covers the mail side. If you are closing the account, it is worth a backup of Gmail before deleting it.
For the email half of the move, the Corbett Gmail Backup Tool saves your whole Gmail mailbox to your PC as PST, PDF, MBOX or EML, with attachments and labels kept, so your mail sits safely next to your Drive files. A free demo edition runs on every edition of Windows.
Frequently asked questions
How do I move Google Drive files to my desktop?
Install Google Drive for desktop, sign in, then set My Drive to Mirror so full copies download to a local folder. For a one-off copy, right-click a folder at drive.google.com and choose Download.
What is the difference between Stream and Mirror?
Stream keeps files in the cloud and shows them as a drive, using almost no space. Mirror stores full copies on your computer and the cloud, giving offline access to everything at the cost of disk space.
How do I move the Google Drive folder to my Desktop?
In Google Drive for desktop, use Mirror mode and set the folder location to one on your Desktop. To change an existing location, disconnect the account in Preferences, reconnect and pick the new folder.
Why can’t I download my Google Drive files?
A very large download can fail with a “cannot download at this time” message. Split it into smaller batches. Installing the app and using Mirror also helps. Files under Shared with Me must be added to My Drive first.
If I delete a file on my PC, does it delete in Google Drive?
In Mirror mode, yes, because sync is two-way. The file moves to Drive Trash, where you can recover it for 30 days. Use the web download instead for a copy that is not linked.
Can I use Google Drive for desktop on Linux?
No, Google only offers the app for Windows and Mac. On Linux you would use the web download, Takeout or a third-party sync tool.