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If you want to keep your local files in sync with your Google Drive account, you can use a graphical or command-line method on your Windows 11 PC. I’ll show you how.
Method 1: Use the Official Google Drive App
One way to sync new files on your Windows 11 PC with Google Drive is to use theofficial Google Drive app for Windows. This app allows you to pick the folders on your storage that you want to keep in sync with your cloud account.
To use this method, download and launch the Google Drive app on your PC. In the app,sign in to your Google account. This is the account where the app will sync your files.
To now add a folder to sync with Google Drive, right-click the Google Drive app in Windows 11’s system tray, click the gear icon, and choose “Preferences.”
On the Google Drive Preferences window, in the left sidebar, click “My Laptop.” Then, choose the “Add Folder” button.
Select the folder you want to keep in sync with your cloud account. In the Settings prompt that opens, select whether you want to sync your files with Google Drive or Google Photos. If your files are images and videos, you can select the Google Photos option. Then, choose “Done.”
From now on, Google Drive will keep an eye on your chosen folder for any file updates. When you add or change a file in this folder, this change will reflect in your Google Drive account.
Method 2: Use Windows 11’s File Explorer
Another way to sync new files with Google Drive is touse File Explorer. In this method, you still use theofficial Google Drive app, but inside File Explorer.
To do that, launch the Google Drive app on your PC and sign in to your Google account. The app has added your Google Drive storage as a virtual drive in File Explorer. To access it,open File Explorerby pressing Windows+E.
Open the Google Drive drive, and you’ll see your files and folders. You can create a new folder here and add all the files that you want to keep in sync with your Google Drive account.
Any files or folders that you create, change, or delete in this drive will reflect in your online Drive account. If you’ve been saving your files elsewhere, you can now start keeping them in this virtual drive.
Method 3: Use Rclone (Command-Line Method)
If you prefer command-line methods, you can use a free and open-source utility calledRcloneto sync Windows 11 files with Google Drive. You can bind this tool’s functionality with Task Scheduler to automate file uploads and syncs.
To start, download andextract Rcloneat the following path on your PC. You should have rclone.exe in the following folder. Then,add Rclone to your system pathso you can access it from anywhere in the command line.
Access Windows Search (press Windows+S), typeCommand Prompt, and choose “Run as Administrator.” Select “Yes” in the User Account Control prompt.
On the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:
Typenand press Enter to create a new remote. Typegdriveas the name and press Enter. Typedriveand press Enter. Keep the client ID prompt empty and press Enter. Keep the client secret empty and press Enter. Keep skipping options. When it asks if you want to configure advanced settings, typenand press Enter. When it asks to use a web browser for authentication, typeyand press Enter. It will launch your default web browser, where you’ll grant Rclone access to your Google Drive account.
When Rclone asks if you want to create this as a shared drive, typenand press Enter. Then, quit the configuration wizard by typingqand pressing Enter.
To nowupload files to Google Driveusing Rclone, you’ll use abatch script. Open Windows Search, typeNotepad, and launch the app. In a new document, type the following code:
In this code, replace “YourFolderPath” with the path to the folder where you want to upload files from. Replace “GDriveFolder” with the folder where you want to store files in your Google Drive account. Save the file by choosing File > Save As from Notepad’s menu bar. On the Save As window, choose the C:\rclone folder for saving the file. Click the “Save as Type” drop-down menu and choose “All Files.” Select the “File Name” field and typeupload-to-drive.bat. Then, click “Save.”
you’re able to now launch this batch file to upload files from your chosen folder on your Windows 11 PC to Google Drive. To automate the process so that your files are uploaded at every specified interval, use Task Scheduler. Launch Windows Search, typeTask Scheduler, and open the utility. On the right pane, click “Create Task.” Select the “Name” field and type something likeRclone Upload to Google Drive.
Open the “Triggers” tab and click “New.” Select the time and frequency when you want to upload files to Google Drive. Then, choose “OK.”
Open the “Actions” tab and choose “New.” Select the “Browse” button and choose the batch file you created earlier. Then, click “OK.” Choose “OK” again to save your task.
From now on, Task Scheduler will automatically run your batch file at the specified interval to upload files from your PC to Google Drive.
And that’s how you’re able to get Google Drive to pick new files and keep them in sync with your online cloud account. If you don’t prefer Drive, you have manyother cloud storage providersto choose from.
