Upcoming changes to Google Drive sync clients

Drive File Stream will now be called Google Drive for desktop. Later this year, we will unify our sync clients and bring features from Backup and Sync to Google Drive for desktop to create a better user experience. 

How this affects your data and the features you use

As part of this new unified sync client, we’re working to bring customers the best and most used features from both Backup and Sync and Drive File Stream. See below for more details:
See the full list of features
  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

How Backup and Sync users can start using Drive for desktop

We’ll announce when Drive for desktop is ready for Backup and Sync users. We will share more details later this year on how Backup and Sync users can get started with Drive for desktop. We will provide 3 months’ notice for Google Workspace admins and end users before the deadline to transition to Drive for desktop.

Frequently asked questions

Why are you making this change?
Google Drive for desktop will bring together the best and most used features from Drive File Stream and Backup and Sync. This creates a powerful and unified sync client for everyone who uses Drive, whether for business or personal purposes.
Will anything happen to my files when Drive for desktop releases?
No, your files are not affected. This is just an update to the Backup and Sync and Drive File Stream tools, not your stored files.
I use Drive File Stream. How will this affect me?
There’s no significant impact to Drive File Stream users like you. In the latest release, you will just see the tool renamed to “Drive for desktop”. You’ll also get new features from Backup and Sync as part of a release later this year.
I am a Workspace Admin and my organization uses Drive File Stream. I’m concerned about these new features. What can I do?
We will allow admins control over these new features via registry key. You will be able to see when the new features are available through release notes. For more info about how to control these features, learn how to configure Drive File Stream.
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