How To - Back up your laptop to Google Drive
Get started with Google Drive for desktop
When you open Drive for desktop for the first time, or after your account has been disconnected, to log in:
- On your computer, open Drive for desktop
.
- Click Sign in with browser.
- Sign in to the Google Account you want to use with Drive for desktop.
Back up photos & videos
You can automatically save your photos and videos to your Google Account when you turn on backup in photos.google.com.
Learn how to back up photos and videos.
Important:
- If you only store photos and videos, we recommend you backup to Google Photos.
- If you store your files in photos and videos, they upload twice and use more of your Google storage.
- Network Attached Storage (NAS) only supports backups to Google Photos.
Sync files to Drive
When you first open Drive for desktop, you receive a notification “Google Drive would like to start syncing.” Click OK. On your computer, open Drive for desktop .
You can sync files from your computer to Google Drive and backup to Google Photos.
- On your computer, open Drive for desktop
- Click Settings
Preferences.
- On the left, click Folders from your computer.
- Select an option:
- Sync folders with Drive: Files you change in the synced folder reflect on Drive. Drive changes reflect on your computer. Synced folders show under "Computers."
- Back up folders to Google Photos: Only photos and videos upload. Photos or videos you delete in one place don’t delete in another. Edits upload as new images. You can find your photos and videos from any device online or on the Google Photos mobile app.
