New Update Google Backup and Sync and Drive File Stream to be replaced by Google Drive for Desktop

[Ink]

It's a full circle.

Blog: Updates on how to sync Google Drive content to your computer

Drive File Stream is now Google Drive for desktop
As of version 45, Drive File Stream is known as Google Drive for desktop. This is simply a name change; all functionality will remain the same and most admins and end users won’t need to take any action to continue using the client. See our release notes for more details.

Backup and Sync functionality and users will be transitioned to a new version of Drive for desktop later this year
Later this year, Backup and Sync users will need to transition to Drive for desktop, the unified sync client. Until then, we’re working to incorporate features from Backup and Sync into the new solution and to make it as easy as possible for users.

Spoiler: See Full Features & Comparison

	Backup and Sync	Drive File Stream	Drive for desktop
Use files in My Drive	Yes	Yes	Yes
Use files in shared drives	No	Yes, if your plan includes shared drives or you’re invited to a shared drive	Yes, if your plan includes shared drives or you’re invited to a shared drive
Sync only selected folders in My Drive to your computer	Yes	No, but you can stream files instead to save disk space	No, but you can stream files instead to save disk space
Sync only individual files in My Drive for offline use	No	Yes	Yes
Open and store non-Google files like Microsoft Office & Photoshop	Yes	Yes	Yes
See who's editing with real-time presence in Microsoft Office	No	Yes	Yes
Integrates with Microsoft Outlook, Meet scheduling	No	Yes	Yes
Sync local folders, like Documents or Desktop, to Google Drive	Yes	No	Yes
Back up photos and videos to Google Photos	Yes	No	Yes
Back up photos and videos directly to Google Photos instead of Google Drive	No	No	Yes
Access multiple accounts at the same time	Yes	No	Yes
Upload Apple Photos library	Yes	No	Yes
Upload from USB	Yes	No	Yes
Dark mode	No	Yes	Yes
File extensions you can ignore	Yes	No	No

Source: Upcoming changes to Google Drive sync clients - Google One Help

 

[TairikuOkami]

I wonder, why they call apps like that backup and sync, when it is just sync. When files are removed from the computer (malware, ransomware), they are also removed from the cloud, so much for the backup. I lost many files because of it, thus I backup manually via a webpage. I have seen so many people to complain, that eg onedrive has "cleaned" their desktop.

 

[gonza]

I wonder, why they call apps like that backup and sync, when it is just sync. When files are removed from the computer (malware, ransomware), they are also removed from the cloud, so much for the backup. I lost many files because of it, thus I backup manually via a webpage. I have seen so many people to complain, that eg onedrive has "cleaned" their desktop.

Don't know about Google Drive for desktop, but I use Onedrive a lot and it has nice features. If an app tries to modify or access your files or folders, Onedrive asks for permission. It also has ransomware protection: Ransomware detection and recovering your files - OneDrive (home or personal) (microsoft.com)

And if a lot of files are deleted, you will receive an email about it. I'm not saying that Onedrive is perfect or being a fanboy, just adding my 2 cents. Actually, I agree with you that it's more "sync" than "backup".

 

[CyberTech]

Google announced earlier this year its plan to merge Drive's discrete syncing clients for both businesses and consumers, namely Drive File Stream and Backup and Sync, into a single Drive for desktop client. The goal was to make it easier for everyone to keep and access their content across various devices and the cloud.

Today, Google announced that it is rolling out several Drive for desktop capabilities to both macOS and Windows. The app gives you direct access to files stored in the usual locations in your desktop and backs up content to the cloud. Some of the headline features in the unified client include the option to upload images directly to Photos or Drive. Prior to this change, you needed to upload a certain file to Drive first before a copy of it could be created in Photos.

The rest and some screenshots

Google is rolling out Drive for desktop, Backup and Sync feature retiring after September

Google will start rolling out several features of Drive for desktop over the coming weeks, unifying the ability to sync files across devices and the cloud for both consumers and enterprise users.

www.neowin.net