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Introduction
Pima College distributes the Google Drive app to all of its systems. This app helps you back up local files and folders from your computer to your Google Drive. In the event your computer crashes or is stolen, the Google Drive app's automated backup feature means the important files from your computer will still be available in Google Drive, if you have configured the app to back them up.
How to Configure the Local Folders
- In the system tray at the bottom right corner of your screen, click the up arrow and then select the Google Drive icon.
- The first time you use it, the app walks you through a quick setup guide for your drive. If you are prompted to sign in, please do so.
- In the upper right corner of the Google Drive app, select the gear icon.
- In the drop-down, select Preferences. The screen shown here appears:
- The My Laptop section has an Add folder option, where you can add any folders from your computer to sync to Google Drive.
- The Google Drive section shows which folders (if any) are currently configured for syncing.
- To add a folder, click Add Folder. The Explorer window shown here appears, where you select the folder (e.g, Documents or Downloads) to back up.
- After selecting the folder, the screen shown below appears, where you select either to Sync with Google Drive (default) or Back up to Google Photos. Since Back up to Google Photos is being retired on August 10th, 2026, you should accept the default of Sync with Google Drive and then click Done.
The folder you select will then be queued for synchronization with your Google Drive. Syncing may take some time, depending on the size of the folder.
How to Access Your Backed-up Files in Google Drive
Folders backed up to Google Drive will retain the same name as on your device and cannot be renamed in Drive.
- In your browser, navigate to Google Drive, where you should find a new option in the left pane labeled Computers.
- Expand Computers by clicking the triangle to its left. You should now be able to browse and select any files synced to your Google Drive by the Google Drive app.
