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INSTALL GOOGLE DRIVE FILE STREAM


Drive File Stream is a new way to access your Google Drive files, directly from your Mac or PC without taking up space on your hard drive.

Current user of Google Drive app: Before installing File Stream, Google recommends logging out of the desktop app.

Disconnect Account:

  1. Locate the icon for Google Drive:
    Window users will find it in the taskbar (down near the time).
    MacOS users will look in the menu bar (up by the time).

  2. If the icon is colored you are logged in. Click and select Preferences.
  3. From the Account Tab, click Disconnect account button. 

    Note: The icon will now be greyed out. Google drive is no longer syncing with your computer. This is important so we don't inadvertently make any changes to an actual Google folder or file.

google_preference

 


Download and Install Drive File Stream: Follow the on-screen instructions.

Mac: Requires OSX 10.11 and up

Once Google File Stream is installed Window users will find the icon in the system tray near the time and Mac users will find the icon menu bar near the time.


View Your Files

Window users should open an Explore Window, Mac users should open a Finder, Document window.

Open Google Drive File Stream. There should be two folders My Drive and Team Drive. Open My Drive to see that the files are streaming to your computer. Folders and Files will now have a small cloud symbol to let you know they are in the cloud.

Window Users:

Creating Quick Access or Desktop Icons: You can pin the My Drive and Team Drives to the Quick Access (Favorites) section or create desktop shortcuts.

Quick Access: Right-mouse click on My Drive or Team Drive, from the dropdown menu select Pin to Quick Access or Click and Drag My Drive or Team Drive to a location in the Quick Access/Favorites area.

preference1

Creating Desktop Shortcut: You can create a desktop icon by right-mouse clicking on My Drive or Team Drive, then selecting Send To from the menu and select Desktop shortcut.

Mac Users:

Adding to Favorites: Click and drag, My Drive or Team Drive icons to the Favorites section.


Working Offline

Since file and folders are streaming you need the internet at all times. There is a way to work offline on a file or folder. Window users, right mouse click on a file or folder, Mac users, CTRL + click on the file or folder, from the menu select Drive File Stream, then select Available Offline.

It is your responsibility to remember that a file or folder is offline, so when internet access is available again you repeat the selection and change the file or folder back to Online only. This will stream files or folders back to your Google Drive.

 

Remove the old Google Drive Folder

Once you have viewed and opened several of your streaming files or folders you need to remove the old Google Drive Folder. This will free up space on your computer's harddrive and also make sure you don't have revision issues. You do not want to open and edit these files.

Note: If you followed the Disconnect instructions you should be signed out of Google Drive Desktop app already before deleting the folder.

 


Known Issues

Duo Users: If you signed up for Duo and have a registered a U2F token you will not be able to sign into File Stream as the token is blocking the login. Duo has been informed of the problem and is currently working to correct the issue. In the meantime, you need to remove the token from your list of devices.

  1. Either clear the cache in your browser or open a different browser.
  2. Log into a Shibboleth login page, like portal.smith.edu or mail.smith.edu.
  3. Click My Settings and Devices. You will be prompted to authenticate.
  4. A list of your devices will be displayed.
  5. Locate the U2F token then Click Device Options
  6. Trash the U2F token for the time being.
  7. Now you will be albe to log back into the Google File Stream.

u2f

 

 

 


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Copyright © 2015 Smith College Information Technology Services  |  Last updated February 28, 2018

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