How to set up Google Drive for Desktop to sync and back up specific folders

Summary

This guide helps you troubleshoot and resolve: How to set up Google Drive for Desktop to sync and back up specific folders. Follow the steps below to fix the issue.

Common Causes

Google Drive for Desktop is a powerful tool that lets you sync files between your computer and the cloud automatically. Rather than moving everything into your Google Drive folder, you can configure the app to back up specific existing folders on your computer — such as your Documents, Desktop, or a project folder — so they're safely stored in the cloud without changing your workflow.

Before You Begin

• Ensure you have a Google account with sufficient storage space for the folders you plan to back up.
• Close any applications that are actively using the files in the folders you want to sync.
• Make sure your computer is connected to a stable internet connection.

Quick Fix Steps

1. Download and install Google Drive for Desktop from Google's official download page.
2. Sign in with your Google account when prompted.
3. Open the Google Drive preferences from the system tray (Windows) or menu bar (Mac).
4. Navigate to the Back up local folders section and select the folders you want to sync.
5. Choose whether to back up to Google Drive (My Drive) or Google Photos, then click Done.

Detailed Instructions

Step 1: Download and Install Google Drive for Desktop

1. Open your web browser and go to the Google Drive download page.
2. Click Download Drive for Desktop and agree to the terms if prompted.
3. Once the installer downloads, run the file (GoogleDriveSetup.exe on Windows or GoogleDrive.dmg on Mac).
4. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation.
5. When the installation finishes, sign in with your Google account credentials.

Step 2: Access Google Drive Preferences

On Windows:

1. Click the Show hidden icons arrow in the bottom-right system tray.
2. Click the Google Drive icon.
3. Click the Settings gear icon in the top-right of the pop-up window.
4. Select Preferences from the drop-down menu.

On Mac:

1. Click the Google Drive icon in the top-right menu bar.
2. Click the Settings gear icon.
3. Select Preferences from the drop-down menu.

Step 3: Select Folders to Back Up

1. In the Preferences window, click the Back up local folders tab on the left-hand side.
2. You'll see a list of common folders (Desktop, Documents, Pictures). Toggle the switch next to any you'd like to back up.
3. To add a custom folder, click the Choose folder button.
4. Browse to the folder you want to back up, select it, and click Select Folder.
5. Repeat this process for any additional folders you'd like to include.

Step 4: Choose Your Backup Destination

1. For each selected folder, you'll be asked to choose where the content is backed up.
2. For general files and documents, select Back up to Google Drive. This will place your files in a dedicated computers section within My Drive.
3. For image folders (such as Pictures), you can optionally select Back up to Google Photos instead, or both.
4. Click Done or Apply to confirm your selections.

Step 5: Verify Syncing Has Started

1. Click the Google Drive icon in your system tray or menu bar.
2. You should see a status message indicating that syncing is in progress.
3. Once the initial sync completes, the status will change to "Sync complete" or similar.
4. Open Google Drive on the web and look for the Computers section in the left sidebar to verify your backed-up folders appear there.

Troubleshooting

Folder Selection Is Greyed Out

If a folder appears greyed out when you try to select it, this usually means it's already being managed by another sync application or it's a system-protected folder. Try selecting a parent or sub-folder instead, or check whether another cloud sync app (such as OneDrive or Dropbox) is already managing that location.

Sync Is Taking a Long Time

• Large folders can take several hours to sync initially, depending on your upload speed.
• Check your internet connection is stable.
• Pause and resume syncing by clicking the Google Drive icon, then Settings > Pause syncing. Resume after a few minutes.
• If the issue persists, restart your computer and allow the sync to continue.

Files Aren't Appearing in Google Drive

1. Check the sync status by clicking the Google Drive icon in your system tray or menu bar.
2. Look for any error messages and address them if present.
3. Ensure the folder you selected still exists on your computer — if it was moved or renamed, the sync may have stopped.
4. Go to Preferences > Back up local folders and confirm the folder is still listed and toggled on.

Google Drive for Desktop Won't Open

1. On Windows, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. Look for Google Drive in the processes list and end it if running, then relaunch from the Start menu.
2. On Mac, press Cmd + Option + Esc to open Force Quit, select Google Drive, and click Force Quit. Relaunch from Applications.
3. If the app still won't open, uninstall and reinstall the latest version from the Google Drive download page.

Still Having Issues?