u587162
asked on
Trying to get Google Drive Sync to work properly
I've downloaded Google Drive - Sync to my desk top. I have hundreds of files and folders all over the place in my WEB google drive, many in the root folder. having just downloaded the sync app for drive to my Windows computer, I only want to sync one particular folder, lets call it "C", and it is nested under [Root folder A] / [Sub-folder B] / the my folder [C]
Questions:
1. Does Google Drive Sync only allow you to sync root folders and not nested folders?
2. Even if I select a root folder, it copies every damn file I have in the root folder e.g. c:\ rather than c:\ [Folder name]
3. When I realised the mistake that all the files (that were not in any folder in the root folder) were being copied as well as the chosen folder, I panicked as it downloaded some 2gb on my office computer. By this stage the computer was slowing down and I couldn't do much because of the amount of stuff being downloaded. I then immediately started deleting the files but as it was deleting I suddenly realised whether the deletion of the files would also sync the deletion from the web version of google drive.
After checking, it doesnt appear to have. My question therefore, is in what circumstances will it delete stuff from both web location and local location, as that is the whole point of sync?
5. Finally, if i ever want to remove the sync'd files from my computer, how do I do this without having the filed deleted from the web version because I have in the past many years ago, and probably others have made this mistake too, deleted it from the computer and forgetting it will sync the deletion too! Do people simply uninstall the programme and pray?
Thanks.
**Edit** - I notice that during the app install it did say "Files in Google Drive that are not in a folder will always sync", I guess that relates to point 1, but I thought it only referred to loose files int he root folder, not in folder B when I wanted folder C synced.
Questions:
1. Does Google Drive Sync only allow you to sync root folders and not nested folders?
2. Even if I select a root folder, it copies every damn file I have in the root folder e.g. c:\ rather than c:\ [Folder name]
3. When I realised the mistake that all the files (that were not in any folder in the root folder) were being copied as well as the chosen folder, I panicked as it downloaded some 2gb on my office computer. By this stage the computer was slowing down and I couldn't do much because of the amount of stuff being downloaded. I then immediately started deleting the files but as it was deleting I suddenly realised whether the deletion of the files would also sync the deletion from the web version of google drive.
After checking, it doesnt appear to have. My question therefore, is in what circumstances will it delete stuff from both web location and local location, as that is the whole point of sync?
5. Finally, if i ever want to remove the sync'd files from my computer, how do I do this without having the filed deleted from the web version because I have in the past many years ago, and probably others have made this mistake too, deleted it from the computer and forgetting it will sync the deletion too! Do people simply uninstall the programme and pray?
Thanks.
**Edit** - I notice that during the app install it did say "Files in Google Drive that are not in a folder will always sync", I guess that relates to point 1, but I thought it only referred to loose files int he root folder, not in folder B when I wanted folder C synced.
If you have deleted the folders using web version then they must be in "Trash" folder.
ASKER
I deleted the folders from the windows version, but I cant be sure that they were deleted from the web version as part of any sync. How can I check because I cannot remember all the files and folders.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
ASKER
I can only assume that there must have been many users of the google drive sync app who were not aware of this and wanted to delete the additional files on their local PC thinking that they would be in the cloud drive, only to find they screwed up? It can be easy mistake to make when not thinking correctly?
Perhaps, but that's inherent to sync applications that synchronize both ways, not just Google Drive sync.
Full details for uninstall can be found here:
https://support.google.com/drive/answer/2375081?hl=en
Google's documentation is actually very thorough, up to date, and easy to understand.
Full details for uninstall can be found here:
https://support.google.com/drive/answer/2375081?hl=en
Google's documentation is actually very thorough, up to date, and easy to understand.
ASKER
Does disconnecting it simply just disconnect the session until the system reboots?
No, when you disconnect you will have to login with your user name and password again in order to restart the sync. A reboot does not affect it.
ASKER
And final question, if a big mess happened and several gigs of data were accidentally deleted, is there a simple way to do this via the web version? How can I see an audit trail for the last x number of days/weeks and undo them en mass?
Any files that were deleted can be found in your "Trash" folder. Just select all of the files you wish to restore by holding down the Ctrl button on your keyboard (or select a range using Shift), right click and select "Restore".
I have files in my trash folder going back to a year ago, so I don't think they're automatically removed after a certain time period.
I have files in my trash folder going back to a year ago, so I don't think they're automatically removed after a certain time period.
ASKER
I don't appear to have a Trash folder. We'll certainly not one that I can see using the google drive app on my iPhone.
Better check this in a browser on a computer.
ASKER
Ok will take another look.
ASKER
Thx
Thanks for accepting my answer. Just a small update, I know that Google is going to release a new version of Drive Sync which will allow you to select subfolders for synchronization as well. So you won't be restricted to only the root folders. I'm not sure about the release date, but I expect in the next few months.
ASKER
Ok good to know, thx. can I ask how you know this?
Our company is a Google Apps for Work customer, and as the administrator I get notified about future updates.
ASKER
Is there a way of seeing an audit trail in Good drive of what activity has taken place? I recall seeing this before but cannot seem to find it anywhere in the web version. I thought the tab RECENT might show it, but that only shows what has been added or edited.