If you sync files to your Google Drive using Backup and Sync, deleting a file on your computer may also delete that file on Google Drive. This depends on your Backup and Sync settings. See How to Recover Deleted Files from Your Computer if you’re unable to download backed-up files with this method.
If you’re downloading a folder or the whole computer’s backup, the files will be compressed into a single ZIP file—you can watch the progress at the bottom-right corner of the screen. When the file is ready, select a download location and click Save.
If you’re downloading a folder or the whole computer’s backup, the files will be compressed into a single ZIP file—you can watch the progress at the bottom-right corner of the screen. When the file is ready, select a download location and click Save.
If you sync files to your Google Drive using Backup and Sync, deleting a file on your computer may also delete that file on Google Drive depending on your settings. Keep reading to learn how to double-check your sync settings and change them if necessary.
Always remove both copies: If this option is selected, synced files and folders you delete from your computer are immediately deleted from Google Drive. This means if you’re looking for a file you deleted, you might not find it on Google Drive. See How to Recover Deleted Files from Your Computer if you’re unable to download backed up files with this method. Never remove both copies: This option means that deleting a file or folder on your computer will not affect the synced copy of that file on Google Drive. You can restore from your backup. Ask before removing both copies: This option is your best bet—when you remove a file from your computer, Google Drive will ask if you also want to delete the backed-up copy. If you say no, the file will remain on your Google Drive in case you need to download it again.
To sync everything in Google Drive to your computer, select Sync everything in my drive.
Now that this data is synced, be aware that deleting a file or folder from your computer will also delete it from your Google Drive. If you don’t want that to happen, return to your Backup and Sync preferences, uncheck the files and folders you synced to your PC, and then click OK.
