Google Drive Backup and Sync – sync or restore “My Computer” folder

backupgoogle-drive

Does the first part of the new Backup and Sync App from Google simply backup "My Computer" or "My Laptop"?

And only the second part of the settings "Google Drive" can sync between devices?

Google backup and sync settings

It would be nice, if one could sync the backup folders. Example

  • Google Drive Folder: D:/Google Drive
  • Also synced Folder: C:/some_folder

From Testing I can still only sync contents within Google Drive. "My Computer" is simply backed up to the cloud, which is a shame.

Moreover, how would I restore the backup folders on my machine if I had to reset the machine?

The documentation is not very clear.

Best Answer

Does the first part of the new Backup and Sync App from Google simply backup "My Computer" or "My Laptop"?

No. Just like the 'other sync' it is bi-directional. You can create a file in your local "test" folder and it will appear in Drive, and you can make a file in the remote location and it will appear in your local "test" folder.

Note however that the remote destination is under "Computers->your device" on the lefthand side of the Drive UI. This 'folder' cannot be selected as a sync target by a third party (i.e. another device). So you can choose to sync either:

  • any folder(s) on a device and forfeit multi-device syncing (view 1- My Laptop),
  • or (view 2- Google Drive) sync in the original way to a drive folder(s) that can sync multiple devices, but forfeit the filesystem convenience since you have to put everything under a local Google Drive folder.
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