Download Details

Version: 133.0.2.0 (latest)
File size: 266 MB
License: Free
Security scan: VirusTotal: 64 of 64 engines say OK (0 flagged)
SHA-256 checksum: 0b05cafc98a7e360add5e9b0b5911b11af535256fa4e350ef880fddf3ce4454c
Developer: Google LLC
Supported OS: Windows 11, Windows 10
Installers: 64-bit (x64), 32-bit (x86), Offline
Downloads: 12884
Rating: 4.4 out of 5 · 107 reviews
File name(s): setup.exe

Reviewed by Eman Sakr
Tested on Windows 11 and 10 · November 9, 2026 · How we review

Screenshots

Google Drive for Windows suits anyone who already lives in a Google account and wants Docs, Sheets and photos to show up in File Explorer.

Install Google Drive

It is free, runs on Windows 10 and 11, and lets you choose between keeping files online only or storing full copies on your PC.

The standout is that choice: streaming saves disk space on a small laptop, while mirroring keeps everything available offline.

The 15 GB of free space is shared with Gmail and Photos, so heavy users will hit the limit sooner than they expect.

What is Google Drive?

Google Drive for desktop is a sync client from Google LLC. It connects your Google account storage to a drive entry inside Windows File Explorer.

Anything you save there is uploaded, and anything you change on the web or on your phone appears on your PC.

Stream files or Mirror files: pick the mode that matches your disk

Streaming is the default. Files stay in the cloud and download only when you open them, which keeps a small SSD free.

Mirroring downloads everything under My Drive to your PC, so it works without a connection but needs room for full copies.

Tip: If you travel or work offline often, mirror the whole drive. If only a few folders matter, stay on streaming and mark those folders as available offline from the right-click menu.

Working with Docs, Sheets and Slides from File Explorer

Google file types appear as shortcuts in your folder. Double-clicking one opens it in your browser, where real-time editing and comments live.

The limit: these files do not exist as editable documents on your disk, so offline editing depends on the offline setup in the browser.

Backing up Desktop, Documents and photos from your PC

Besides My Drive, the app can back up folders such as Desktop and Documents, and send photos to Google Photos.

Other PC folders are mirrored rather than streamed, so they take real disk space locally. System folders like Windows and Program Files cannot be synced.

Sharing links and version history

Right-click a file to get a sharing link instead of attaching it to an email. Access levels (view, comment, edit) are set per file or folder.

Version history lets you restore an earlier copy of a file from the web interface after a bad edit.

The 15 GB limit and what eats it

The free allowance is shared by Drive, Gmail and Google Photos. Large video libraries and mail attachments can fill it quickly.

Tip: Check what takes up space in your account storage page before paying for more, and clear old large files first.

VirusTotal result and what the app asks of your account

The installer on this page was checked with VirusTotal and came back clean.

The app signs in to your Google account and can read the folders you choose to sync, so only add folders you want in the cloud. Turn on two-step verification on the account for extra protection.

When a different sync tool fits better

If you want files stored with end-to-end encryption, Google Drive is not built for that, since Google can process stored content.

It also makes less sense if you do not use a Google account at all. A cloud tool built into Windows may feel more natural on a PC that already uses a Microsoft account.

How to Download & Install

Click the download button at the top of this page to get the EXE installer for Windows. The installer needs no special options, and you only need a Google account to sign in.

Step 1: Run the installer you just downloaded and accept the Windows permission prompt.

Step 2: Let the setup finish. It installs the app and adds a Google Drive entry to File Explorer.

Step 3: Sign in with your Google account in the browser window that opens.

Step 4: Choose how My Drive should sync (stream or mirror) and which folders from your PC to back up.

Step 5: Open File Explorer and find your files under the Google Drive entry in the left panel.

Installer type

Google Drive for Windows comes as a single EXE installer, usually for 64-bit systems. There is no separate portable ZIP.

System requirements

Windows 10 or Windows 11 (64-bit recommended)
A Google account and an internet connection for sign-in and syncing
Windows Server editions are not supported
Free disk space: little in stream mode, as much as your synced folders in mirror mode

License

The app is free and needs no activation. Extra storage beyond the free allowance is a paid add-on through your Google account.

How to update

The app updates itself in the background. If a setting looks missing, close the app and run the installer from this page again to install the latest version over the old one.

Fixing common install and sync problems

Installer blocked: Windows 11 in S mode or with strict app rules can stop the setup. Allow apps from outside the Store in Settings, then run it again.
Sync paused or stuck: Click the Drive icon in the taskbar, check for a pause or an error message, and make sure you are not out of storage.
Sign-in loop: Sign out from the app, close it, then sign in again and pick the right account in the browser.

Pros & Cons

What we liked

Choice of stream or mirror sync
Free to install and use
Files appear in File Explorer
Easy sharing links and version history
Backs up PC folders and photos

What we didn't like

Free space shared with Gmail and Photos
Needs a Google account
No end-to-end encryption

Best Google Drive Alternatives

Azure Storage Explorer
Free desktop manager for Azure blobs, file shares, queues and tables.
OneDrive
Store your files in the cloud, so you can access them from any device.
Dropbox
Your files, anywhere - quick and hassle-free.
iCloud
It lets you access your Apple photos, files, and more seamlessly on your PC.

Conclusion

4.4out of 5 · 107 user ratings

Google Drive for Windows is a solid, free sync tool if your files, mail or photos already live in a Google account.

The stream and mirror choice makes it fit both small laptops and PCs that need offline access.

The main limit is the shared 15 GB of free storage. If you rely on Microsoft services instead, OneDrive may fit your setup better.

FAQ

How much free space do I get with Google Drive?

You get 15 GB with a Google account, shared across Drive, Gmail and Google Photos. More space is a paid upgrade.

Can I use Google Drive on Windows 10?

Yes, the desktop app supports Windows 10 and Windows 11. Windows Server editions are not supported.

What is the difference between Stream files and Mirror files?

Stream keeps files in the cloud and downloads them when opened, saving disk space. Mirror stores a full copy on your PC for offline use.

Why is Google Drive not syncing on my PC?

Check whether syncing is paused or if your account storage is full. Signing out and back in, or reinstalling the latest version, fixes most stuck cases.

Does Google Drive work without internet?

Yes, for files available offline. In mirror mode everything is local, and in stream mode you can mark chosen files or folders as available offline.

Can Google Drive back up my Windows folders and photos?

Yes. You can back up folders like Desktop and Documents and send photos to Google Photos from the app’s preferences.

Found a problem with this download? Report an outdated version, broken link, suspicious installer or incorrect information.

Changelog - What's new in version 133.0.2.0

- Bug fixes and performance improvements

Google Drive