Life Hacker [Japanese version] Reprinted from the article published on August 9, 2021
Google has announced the Windows and MacOS version of the Google Drive app.
It is replaced with "backup and synchronization" and "drive file stream" ending on October 1st.
Google recommends all users to move to the Google Drive app by September so that the synchronization is not interrupted, but they don't lament because the old apps are no longer available.
What can you do with the latest "Google Drive" app?
The new "Google Drive" app is an app that has one function of "backup and synchronization" and "drive file stream", and has also added some Browser versions and "Google Photo" apps.
The image below is the comparison table of the functions published by Google.
The new "Google Drive" has two ways to use the desktop application and the progressive web app (PWA).
The desktop app is a comprehensive app that integrates local files, storage, and programs because of the large system load.
How to install and use the "Google Drive" app
The desktop "Google Drive" app includes Windows and MacOS versions.
You can download the installer file from the link of Google's blog post.After that, install according to the instructions on the screen.
After installing the app, sign in to your Google account.Google Drive will be available as a folder that can be viewed on a PC called "Maid Live".
All files on Google Drive are displayed in this folder for online, and if you are accessing offline, they are synchronized on your computer.
When you open the Google Document file, it will be loaded into the browser by default, but you can also open it with Microsoft Office.
If other Google users are accessing files (as well as other programs such as Excel) in Microsoft Office, if other Google users are accessing files, they are also displayed in Google Docs.
Open other files with the default desktop app (for example, the image is opened in Windows Photo Viewer).These files can go to the desktop and save the capacity without being saved on the hard drive.
However, dragging and dropping files in the desktops and other places in other places and other places in the "Maid Live" folder, dragging and dropping files from a PC to Google drive, and uploading them to the cloud. I can do it.
If you sign in to multiple devices at once, the file will be synchronized at once between all devices.
How to use Google Drive Widgets
There is a Google drive widget that can be accessed from a Windows taskbar or a Mac menu bar, as well as a dedicated "Maid Live" folder.
Widgets display the latest Google Drive activities and other important notifications, including recently uploaded files.
Click the configuration icon at the top right of the widget to open the quick menu.
From here you can change the local storage folder, switch to another Google account, and check other devices that are signing in.
Also, if you go to "Settings> Pause of Synchronization", you can always disable synchronization.
Then, if the dark mode is enabled in the desktop settings, the widget is automatically switched to dark mode.
Source: Google (1, 2), Ars Technica
