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The ITS Helpdesk can Help

We have provided these instructions so you can perform an upgrade yourself on your own time. While there is a lot of information, we hope the background information and the context in the instructions helps explain why various steps are important.

However, if you would prefer to schedule time to work with the helpdesk to complete this process, we are happy to help!

Force Google Drive to Sync Files and Keep them Updated. Meet Google Drive Force Sync, a tiny app which helps you keep your Drive content always in sync by forcing manual updates periodically. As of now Google Drive app doesn’t have any option to force file sync manually. Ya’ll Try going to Security and Privacy Privacy Full Disk Access AND Files and Folders. Unlock the lock in the corner. Check box Google Drive File Stream and it will quit and restart Google Drive.

Email helpdesk@carleton.edu with several different hour-long windows of availability (three or more days lead time are helpful for scheduling) and we will make an appointment to assist with this upgrade.

Google software required for syncing files between your computer and Google's cloud storage is being updated. The original deadline for upgrading was March 12, 2018 which was then postponed to May 12, 2018. If you're interested here is Google's announcement and post about the upgrade.

You may be seeing the following pop-up alerts about the change:

Google File Stream basically works like Netflix on Demand. In Netflix there are tons of available movies which you can choose from right there on your TV. When you choose to watch a particular movie or series, it then streams the file to you instantly. That is exactly how Google File Stream works. The files don’t actually sit in your computer, although you can see the file in your folders like normal. Once you click a particular file, that’s when it is streamed to your computer. The best part, there is a way to allow files to be available offline even when you’re not connected to the internet as well.

We'll provide more information below about how to access files offline and configure Drive File Stream to show up in your favorites/quick access menus.

If you have not already started the process of installing Google Drive File Stream, following the steps below, in order, will help produce the smoothest transition. The instructions below are adapted from the instructions written by c2solutions.

Step 0 - Determine where you're at now

It is easy to check which version or versions of Google Drive software you have.

To check this, go to your list of applications and see what entries you have for Google Drive. In Mac go to Finder and open the Applications folder. In Windows go to the Start Menu for the list of applications and apps. 'Google Drive' or 'Google Drive Sync' are the OLD software. 'Google Drive File Stream' is the NEW software.

Once you've found your applications, find the correct description of your status to determine how to proceed:

Google Drive Backup And Sync

You have NO Google Drive software
If you have NO Google Drive items you don't have to upgrade. You can skip installing this completely, or to install now, complete step 2 only.
You have BOTH Google Drive AND Google Drive File Stream
This means you have installed the new but have not yet removed the old - this is common. Complete Step 1 and Step 3, skipping step 2.
You have ONLY Google Drive and NOT Google Drive File Stream
You have the old software and need to upgrade - complete all steps below.
You have ONLY Google Drive File Stream and NOT Google Drive
You're all set! You can skip to the bottom of this article to learn new things about Google Drive File Stream if you like.

Step 1 – Unsync All the Old Files

Google Drive Sync (the old/existing software) worked by physically downloading files and folders to your computer, where they would all take up space. To minimize the space they took, you had to choose which folders to Sync. The new system does not work that way, but you'll need to remove these existing files to make a smooth transition. The process described here helps do that while ensuring that any changes you've made on your computer are syncronized to the cloud before the files stored physically on your computer in this old system are removed.

Make sure files are up-to-date
This step helps double check all your files are up-to-date. If you rarely or never use Google Drive you can skip this step.
1. Check drive.google.com (be sure you are signed in with your Carleton account).
  Alternately click the Drive Icon in the grid menu within Gmail or Calendar:
2. Review the files and folders you see online and compare them to what you have on your computer.
3. Make sure anything you've updated recently is reflected on both Drive in your browser and Drive Sync on your computer.
Make sure synchronization is complete
This step helps check that the Google Drive Sync is showing as Sync Complete so that no synchronization is running.
1. Click the Drive Sync Icon (Windows / Mac, respectively)
2. Check for the 'Sync Complete' with a check mark next to it (it might be grey and not green)
Make sure syncing is NOT paused.
1. Click the three dots to open the menu
2. It should look like this and say 'Pause' (Not 'Un-Pause' or 'Resume Syncing')
Un-sync all OLD Drive Files
This will unsync all local folders in this OLD Drive location from you computer, recovering all that space. If you have files that are not yet synced, when you click “Apply” anything that hasn’t finishing uploading will first sync changes to the cloud before being removed from the computer.
1. In the same menu shown in step 3, go to Preferences
2. In the Sync options tab, select the 'Sync only these folders' option
3. Un-check ALL Folders In the window (as shown above)
4. Click Apply

Your Google Drive folder on your computer may still have files in it that are in 'My Drive' but not in any other folder, those will be removed later.

Step 2 – Download and Install Google File Stream

Already Installed?

When you complete this step you MAY get an error saying that Google Drive File Stream is already installed on your computer. If you receive that error, but are still getting a reminder message that you need to upgrade from Google Drive Sync, proceed to Step 3.

Get the Drive File Stream Installation file
1. Using Step 1 (in Step 1) above, open Google Drive in a browser
2. At the upper right side of your Google Drive, click the settings cog icon:
3. Click Download Drive file Stream for Mac/Windows (based on your computer)
4. On the page that opens, click the button to Download for your Operating System
  (click image to view full size)
Run the installation file
Install this software as you would install any other application. This may take a few minutes to complete.
Note: Windows users will be asked to provide their local admin account credentials.
Sign in to Google Drive - use your full Carleton email address
1. Once the install is complete, you will be prompted to sign in your account
2. Enter you full Carleton email address
3. You will see a Carleton sign-in screen - sign in with your Carleton username and password'
4. You will be prompted to do a two-factor approval through Duo if you are student, staff, or faculty. You will ONLY have to do this once to link your account.
Know the Important Drive File Stream Differences
Google will typically give

Google File Stream Sync