With Google Drive File Stream you can use locally-installed programs (like Microsoft Office or Adobe Photoshop) to edit files that are stored in Google Drive.
File Stream is an application that lets you stream My Drive and Shared Drive files directly from the cloud, which in turn:
- Allows quick access to all of your Google Drive files on demand, directly from your computer
- Frees up disk space and network bandwidth
- Decreases sync time
- Minimizes the amount of data stored on users’ hard drives
- Allows you to browse and organize Google Drive files without downloading all of them to your computer
- Choose which files or folders you'd like to make available offline
- Use desktop applications like Microsoft Office and Adobe Photoshop to open and edit files stored in Google Drive
More information about Google Drive File Stream
With Drive File Stream, you stream your Drive files directly from the cloud to your Mac or PC, freeing up disk space and network bandwidth. Because Drive files are stored in the cloud, any changes you or your collaborators make are automatically updated everywhere. You’ll always have the latest version.
You can also make Drive files available for offline access. These cached files sync back to the cloud when you're online, so the latest version is available on all your devices.
If you use Drive File Stream, your Drive files are moved to the cloud, freeing up disk space and eliminating the network bandwidth needed to keep all your files synced from your computer to the cloud. You can stream Drive files on demand, or make them available for offline access.
With Drive File Stream files are stored in the cloud and don’t need to sync with online versions, saving network bandwidth. Files that are cached for offline access will sync back to the cloud when you’re online.
With Drive File Stream, you can make selected Drive files available for offline use.
By default, Google Drive File Stream does not store a copy of your files on your local computer. This means that if you do not have an Internet connection, you will not be able to access these files. In order make your files accessible offline, right-click on a file or folder and select Available Offline under the Drive File Stream menu. These cached files sync back to the cloud when you're online, so the latest version is available on all your devices. Please note that doing so will store a copy on your computer, using up more of your hard drive space.
If you need assistance using Google Drive File Stream, contact Technology Training at technologytraining@scu.edu or 408-551-3120.
If you have additional issues/questions about Google Drive File Stream, you can visit Google’s Help Center, or contact the Technology Help Desk.