Following a two-week delay, Google Inc.’s new Backup and Sync tool, which launched last month, is now available to download for Mac and Windows users.

The new tool allows users to back up all their files and folders from a Mac or personal computer to their Google Drive account. All files from a computer’s internal hard drive or other devices such as memory cards will remain in the same format and will simply be recreated directly in Drive.

Backup and Sync will replace the existing Google Photos desktop uploader and Drive for both Mac and Windows computers.

As we noted when the Backup and Sync tool was announced, if you are backing up a lot of files you will quickly use up your free 15 gigabytes of Google Drive storage. Google does offer affordable paid storage packages starting at $1.99 per month for 100 gigabytes.

Backup and Sync is primarily intended for consumer users, while enterprise users needing access to large corporate data sets will eventually get access to Drive File Stream, which is currently in an early adopter program. Drive File Stream will allow users to automatically stream a file they want to view or edit directly from the cloud on-demand, without the need to download the file first.

Here’s a look at how to get started with the new Backup and Sync tool:

Download and install

Mac

Download the Mac app by going to the Backup and Sync download page > read and agree to the Terms of Service. Once the app has downloaded, open installbackupandsync.dmg > move “Backup and Sync” to your Applications folder > open Backup and Sync > sign in using your Google Account username and password > select your sync settings > click Next.

Windows

Download the PC app by going to the Backup and Sync download page > read and agree to the Terms of Service. Once the app has downloaded, open installbackupandsync.exe. If prompted, restart your computer > start Backup and Sync > sign in using your Google Account username and password > select your sync settings > click Next.

Backup and Sync settings

Select what to sync to Google Drive

You can choose to sync all or some of your computer files to Google Drive. On your computer, click Backup and Sync (cloud icon with an up arrow) >  click More (three dot icon) > Preferences > on the right, select the folders you want to sync (if a folder is not on the list, click Choose folder) > click OK.

You can also sync files from an SD card, phone, camera or other USB devices to Google Drive. Click Backup and Sync >  click More > Preferences > USB devices & SD cards > click Plug in a camera or phone to back up files > click OK.

Choose what happens to deleted files

With the Backup and Sync tool, you can choose what happens to files synced with Google Drive when you delete them on your computer or in Google Drive.

Options include:

• Remove items everywhere: when you delete a file on your computer or in your Google Drive account, it will be removed everywhere.
• Don’t remove items everywhere: if you delete a file on your computer it will remain on Google Drive.
• Ask me before removing items everywhere: each time you delete a file on your computer you will need to approve if you want to remove the file everywhere, or not.  

Click Backup and Sync > click More > Preferences > next to “Removing items,” click the down arrow > select one of the options mentioned above > click OK.

Photo and video upload size

By default, when you upload photos and videos with Backup and Sync they will upload in their original quality. To use less space in Google Drive you can select to upload them in high quality rather.

Click Backup and Sync > click More > Preferences > under “Photo and video upload size,” select High quality or Original quality.

Shared files

If you have files and folders that you share with other people, you can select to get notifications when you delete shared items.

Click Backup and Sync > click More > Preferences > Settings > click “Show warning when I remove items from a shared folder.”

Stop syncing to Google Drive

At any stage, you can stop syncing your computer files with Google Drive or pause the syncing.

To disconnect your account, click Backup and Sync > click More > Preferences > Settings > click Disconnect account > click Disconnect.

If you need to pause the app, you can temporarily stop syncing. Click Backup and Sync > click More > click Pause or Resume.

Uninstall Backup and Sync

If you choose to uninstall Backup and Sync from your Mac or PC, you files will still be available in Google Drive.

On Mac, open Finder > click Applications > drag the Backup and Sync app into the Trash > click Empty Trash.

On Windows, click Start > Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features > click Backup and Sync from Google > Uninstall > click Yes.

Source: Google Support

Image: Google