Google Drive for Desktop gives users direct access to Google Drive files and folders from the computer's native file system. With this application, a user can browse, open, and organise files stored in Google Drive — including shared drives — without consuming local storage space. Files and folders can also be saved offline for use when an internet connection is unavailable.
Installing Google Drive for Desktop is optional and is not required to use G.J. Software. It is particularly useful for users who prefer to work with files using the computer's native file system rather than the Google Drive web app, or who regularly work with large files or offline applications such as CAD software.
Key capabilities:
Save specific files and folders offline, including shared drives.
View and organise files in the computer's file system without using local storage space.
Open files directly on the computer.
Important: Franchisor support does not troubleshoot Google Drive for Desktop syncing issues, as these are typically caused by local computer configurations. For help with syncing problems, refer to Google's official troubleshooting guide.
Furthermore, Franchisor support only supports Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, and Slides) and does not provide technical support for Microsoft Office products.
Downloading and installing Google Drive for Desktop
To download and install Google Drive for Desktop, follow the instructions in the official Google support article.
To install the application:
On the computer, open the downloaded installer:
GoogleDriveFSSetup.exe on Windows
GoogleDrive.dmg on Mac
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
Opening the desktop application
After installation, the user locates the Google Drive for Desktop menu icon (the Drive for Desktop icon) in the system tray or menu bar:
Windows: The icon appears at the bottom-right of the screen in the system tray.
Mac: The icon appears at the top-right of the screen in the menu bar.
Signing in
When the user opens Google Drive for Desktop for the first time, the application prompts for sign-in credentials. The user signs in with their G.J. Gardner email account.
Working with files
After signing in, the user can view Google Drive files and folders directly from the desktop. Google Drive for Desktop creates a G: drive on the computer where all Google Drive content is accessible. The G: drive letter is assigned by Google Drive for Desktop and is consistent across installations on Windows computers.
Example of Drive for Desktop installed on MacOS
Opening files
The file type determines which application opens the file:
Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides files open in the corresponding Google application in the web browser.
Microsoft Office files (such as Word or Excel documents) open in the relevant Office application on the computer.
Microsoft Office files saved to Google Drive folders remain accessible and editable by anyone the file is shared with through the Google Drive web application.
Right-click options
Right-clicking a file in the G: drive displays additional options:
Open — Opens the file in the default application.
Copy link — Copies a direct link to the file.
Share — Shares the file through Google Drive.
Add shortcut — Adds a shortcut to Google Drive.
Available offline — Makes the file accessible without an internet connection
Deleting files
When a user deletes a file in Google Drive for Desktop, the file does not go to the computer's Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash (Mac). Instead, the system moves the file to the Bin / Trash in Google Drive, where it can be restored.
Warning: Files in the Google Drive Trash are permanently deleted after 30 days.
File ownership and deletion
Files are only moved to the Bin / Trash if the user is the owner of the file.
If a user deletes a shared file owned by someone else (such as a job specification or colour selection generated by G.J. Software), the file is not deleted. Instead, it is unshared from everyone else and moved to the owner's My Drive location.
It is recommended not to delete files or folders generated by G.J. Software that exist in Google Drive. Instead, use an archive folder to move unwanted items out of view.
Keeping files and folders offline
To save a file or folder for offline access, the user must have an application installed that can open the file type. To make a file or folder available offline:
Click the Google Drive for Desktop menu icon.
Click Open Google Drive folder.
Right-click the file or folder to save offline.
Click Make available offline.
Once the file is saved offline, a green checkmark appears next to it.