Google retires Google Drive software

Martin Brinkmann
Sep 7, 2017
Updated • Jan 4, 2018
Companies, Google
|
15

Google will retire the company's Google Drive software, a client used to sync files between local devices and Google's cloud, on March 12th, 2018 for all customers.

Customers who run Google Drive currently may continue to do so, but the software will no longer be supported from December 11th, 2017 on, and will be shut down completely on March 12th, 2018.

Shut down is an ambiguous term, and it is unclear whether that means that Google will remove the client from its web properties, or if it will block communication of Google Drive clients with its cloud storage.

With this launch, Google Drive for Mac/PC is officially deprecated. It will no longer be supported starting on December 11th, 2017, and it will shut down completely on March 12th, 2018.

The Google Drive client will show messages to users starting in October that informs customers that the client will be retired. Customers who run both new programs, Drive File Stream and Backup and Sync, are prompted to stop using Backup and Sync to save disk space.

google drive retired

The company wants customers to use newer programs instead which it revealed some time ago and yesterday.

Regular customers -- read free customers -- are asked to use Google Backup and Sync, a new program that combines the functionality of Google Drive and Google Photos. It is available for Windows and Mac operating systems, and supports the syncing of any folder and files you pick with Google's cloud storage.

Google Apps customers on the other hand may use Drive File Stream instead. The new program will become available generally on September 26th, 2017 to all organizations and users of Google Apps.

Drive File Stream and Backup and Sync share features, but there are also differences between the two clients.

The core differences are

Feature Drive File Stream Backup and Sync
Access files in My Drive yes yes
Access files in Team Drives yes no
Stream files on demand yes no
Sync only selected folders in My Drive yes yes
Sync only individual files in My Drive yes no
Use native applications like MS Word and Photoshop yes yes
Sync other folders, such as Documents or Desktop no yes

Drive File Stream supports access to team drives, on-demand file streaming, and the syncing of individual files in My Drive.

Backup and Sync on the other hand supports the synchronization of folders other than the default folders (such as Documents and Settings).

Team Drive editors cannot edit Team Drive files when they are opened in Drive File Stream however; Google notes that editors need to open the on the web to edit them.

There is another difference: Drive File Stream is listed as a drive when installed on Windows or Mac devices while Backup and Sync as a folder of a hard drive.

Google Apps administrators find Drive File Stream under Apps > G Suite > Drive and Docs > Data Access. Information on deploying File Drive Stream is available on this Google Support page.

Summary
Google retires Google Drive software
Article Name
Google retires Google Drive software
Description
Google will retire the company's Google Drive software, a client used to sync files between local devices and Google's cloud, on March 12th, 2018 for all customers.
Author
Publisher
Ghacks Technology News
Logo
Advertisement

Tutorials & Tips


Previous Post: «
Next Post: «

Comments

  1. kelly.b said on February 16, 2018 at 4:11 pm
    Reply

    Just got this update from G-Suite that the shutdown is pushed back:

    “When we launched Drive File Stream last year, we announced that the Drive desktop sync client for Mac and PC—a feature officially known as “Google Drive for Mac/PC”—would shut down completely on March 12th, 2018. In response to your feedback, we’re delaying that shutdown date to May 12th, 2018.”

  2. webfork said on September 8, 2017 at 5:54 pm
    Reply

    The client software took up a lot of processor and memory when I last tested it last year. Maybe that’s cleared up since my initial tests but, assuming it’s still an issue, does anyone know of a program that connects to Google Drive and does syncronization? I can’t find anything in terms of auto-sync from CyberDuck or CarotDAV on this.

    Also I get that Google is trying to solve a complex problem, but this level of complexity is just going to create confusion and alienate customers in a very competitive data storage market. They should cut Martin a check for trying to explain this.

    1. Jay said on September 21, 2017 at 9:34 pm
      Reply

      You must check out Syncovery. It syncs with a ton of network- and cloud-based sources. Built-in support for file hash checking. Robust reporting suite. They have a trial version. License is very cheap ($49?) for what you get.

  3. MW said on September 8, 2017 at 12:03 pm
    Reply

    Still no linux version for the new client

  4. ilev said on September 8, 2017 at 8:28 am
    Reply

    What about Google Drive app for mobile ?

  5. chesscanoe said on September 7, 2017 at 9:37 pm
    Reply

    Backup and Sync automatically replaced my old Google Drive about 30 days ago per my Belarc saved profiles. (Running Windows 10 CU x64 Home)

  6. Alex said on September 7, 2017 at 8:08 pm
    Reply

    On Windows and Mac :)

  7. Doug said on September 7, 2017 at 7:59 pm
    Reply

    Will the new program support Voice Activated writing? I use Drive to write with due to carpal tunnel issues. Not sure I appreciate getting kicked in the ‘nads like this.

  8. dmacleo said on September 7, 2017 at 5:44 pm
    Reply

    huh swore I saw android 7.x update for google drive just 3 days ago

    1. Decent60 said on September 7, 2017 at 11:17 pm
      Reply

      Just because they are shutting down, doesn’t mean they won’t still provide support and fixing issues until December 11th, 2017

  9. Erick said on September 7, 2017 at 2:06 pm
    Reply

    No! Just released Google Sync And Backup 3.36.6721.3394. Not Google Drive.

    1. LS-Hamed said on September 7, 2017 at 5:15 pm
      Reply

      Okay, I’m a bit confused, is Backup & Sync will not shutting down? I’m a bit late to cloud backup, so, I forgot if there is/was a program other than “Backup & Sync” that launched earlier this year?

  10. ppp said on September 7, 2017 at 12:01 pm
    Reply

    if you search to download google drive, the backup and sync tool is the default download you get now

    more scam tactics by google, now you have to be careful, not to sync your local docs when you install it

  11. Rowen said on September 7, 2017 at 10:56 am
    Reply

    Not sure if this issue has been fixed yet or not…

    http://www.androidpolice.com/2017/08/22/googles-backup-sync-desktop-app-re-uploads-backed-photos-fix-coming-three-weeks/

    So right now my sync is paused…

  12. Steve said on September 7, 2017 at 10:54 am
    Reply

    Strange that Google just released Google Drive 3.36.6721.3394
    Makes you wonder just what’s going on!

Leave a Reply

Check the box to consent to your data being stored in line with the guidelines set out in our privacy policy

We love comments and welcome thoughtful and civilized discussion. Rudeness and personal attacks will not be tolerated. Please stay on-topic.
Please note that your comment may not appear immediately after you post it.