Backing up your computer to Google Drive for desktop

Overview
Setting up Google Drive to back up your Windows PC
Setting up Google Drive to back up your Mac
Accessing your computer backup from another device

Overview

Follow this guide to set up Google Drive for desktop to automatically back up your computer folders. This initial setup typically takes fewer than 10 minutes, and from that point on, an up-to-date copy of your computer files is automatically saved and accessible online.

Note that the storage limit for Google Drive is 100 GB, and it may not be approved for storing confidential data. If you need more storage space or need to store FERPA-regulated data, please use Microsoft OneDrive instead:

Backing up your computer to Microsoft OneDrive

Setting up Google Drive for desktop for Windows PC

You can set up Google Drive to automatically back up important folders on your Windows PC, including:

Desktop
Documents
Downloads

Step 1: Install Google Drive for desktop

Quick guide

Go to https://www.google.com/drive/download/.
Click Download Drive for desktop.
Open File Explorer. Go to your Downloads folder and double click GoogleDriveSetup.
Type your username and password, and click Yes:
- Username: Your USC NetID@dts.usc.edu (for example, ttrojan@dts.usc.edu)
- Password: Your USC NetID passphrase
The installer opens. We recommend deselecting the checkboxes. Click Install.
Google Drive installs in less than a minute. Click Launch. Allow about 30 seconds for the application to open.

Detailed guide (with screenshots)

Go to https://www.google.com/drive/download/.
Click Download Drive for desktop.
Open File Explorer. Go to your Downloads folder and double click GoogleDriveSetup.
Type your username and password, and click Yes:
- Username: Your USC NetID@dts.usc.edu (for example, ttrojan@dts.usc.edu)
- Password: Your USC NetID passphrase
The installer opens. We recommend deselecting the checkboxes. Click Install.
Google Drive installs in less than a minute. Click Launch. Allow about 30 seconds for the application to open.

Step 2: Sign into Google Drive and back up important folders

Quick guide

Open the Google Drive application if it isn't already open. To find it:
- Windows 11: Click the Windows Start icon. In the search bar, type Google Drive.
- Windows 10: In the Windows Start menu search bar, type Google Drive.
Click Get started.
Click Sign in.
A browser window opens. Make sure to sign in with your @usc.edu email address, not a personal @gmail.com account:
- If you're already signed in: Click your @usc.edu account to select it.
- If you're not already signed in:
  1. Type your @usc.edu email address and click Next.
  2. The Shibboleth login page displays. Log in using your USC NetID and passphrase.
  3. The Duo screen displays. Follow the prompt to complete authentication.
Click Sign in.
Once signed in, close your browser window and return to the Google Drive application window.
Click Next.
Click Next.
Select the checkbox for each folder you want to back up to Google Drive. If you do not see a folder listed and want to add it, click Add folder.
Click Next.
Click Got it.
We recommend clicking Skip instead of selecting folders to back up to Google Photos.
Click Open Drive.
Google Drive begins backing up your computer folders, and will continue to automatically back them up when your computer is connected to the Internet.

Detailed guide (with screenshots)

Open the Google Drive application if it isn't already open. To find it:
- Windows 11: Click the Windows Start icon. In the search bar, type Google Drive.
- Windows 10: In the Windows Start menu search bar, type Google Drive.
Click Get started.
Click Sign in.
A browser window opens. Make sure to sign in with your @usc.edu email address, not a personal @gmail.com account:
- If you're already signed in: Click your @usc.edu account to select it.
- If you're not already signed in:
  1. Type your @usc.edu email address and click Next.
  2. The Shibboleth login page displays. Log in using your USC NetID and passphrase.
  3. The Duo screen displays. Follow the prompt to complete authentication.
Click Sign in.
Once signed in, close your browser window and return to the Google Drive application window.
Click Next.
Click Next.
Select the checkbox for each folder you want to back up to Google Drive. If you do not see a folder listed and want to add it, click Add folder.
Click Next.
Click Got it.
We recommend clicking Skip instead of selecting folders to back up to Google Photos.
Click Open Drive.
Google Drive begins backing up your computer folders, and will continue to automatically back them up when your computer is connected to the Internet.

Double check Google Drive's mapping

Google Drive for desktop sometimes tries to map Google Drive to your computer's G: drive. We recommend mapping Google Drive to a different drive because, at USC Dornsife, the G: drive is typically reserved for your department's network drive.

Make sure Google Drive is not mapped to your computer's G: drive

Quick guide

Open File Explorer and look for Google Drive.

If Google Drive displays as (D:) Google Drive or any other non-G letter: No action is needed.
If Google Drive displays as (G:) Google Drive:
1. Click the Google Drive icon in the System Tray (bottom right corner of desktop). If you do not see it, click the Expand icon icon, then select the Google Drive icon in the expanded tray.
2. Click the Gear icon. Select Preferences from the dropdown.
3. Click the Gear icon in the top right corner.
4. Click the Google Drive drive letter field and select another letter such as D from the dropdown.
5. Click Save.
6. Click Restart now. Google Drive remaps to the drive you selected.

Detailed guide (with screenshots)

Open File Explorer and look for Google Drive.

If Google Drive displays as (D:) Google Drive or any other non-G letter: No action is needed.
If Google Drive displays as (G:) Google Drive:

Click the Google Drive icon in your System Tray (bottom right corner of desktop). If you do not see it, click the Expand icon icon, then select the Google Drive icon in the expanded tray.
Click the Gear icon. Select Preferences from the dropdown.
Click the Gear icon in the top right corner.
Click the Google Drive drive letter field and select another letter such as D from the dropdown.
Click Save.
Click Restart now. Google Drive remaps to your selection.

Setting up Google Drive for desktop for Mac

You can set up Google Drive to automatically back up important folders on your Mac, including:

Desktop
Documents
Downloads

Do not use Google Drive to sync the Pictures folder or the Photos Library. In general, avoid backing up Apple/iCloud applications such as Notes and Photos to Google Drive or other cloud storage solutions.

Step 1: Install Google Drive for desktop

Quick guide

Go to https://www.google.com/drive/download/.
Click Download Drive for desktop.
If prompted, click Allow.
Open Finder. Go to your Downloads folder and double click GoogleDrive.dmg.
Double click GoogleDrive.pkg.
The installer opens. Follow the prompts to install Google Drive.

Detailed guide (with screenshots)

Go to https://www.google.com/drive/download/.
Click Download Drive for desktop.
If prompted, click Allow.
Open Finder. Go to your Downloads folder and double click GoogleDrive.dmg.
Double click GoogleDrive.pkg.
The installer opens. Follow the prompts to install Google Drive.

Step 2: Sign into Google Drive and back up important computer folders

Quick guide

Open the Google Drive application if it isn't already open. To find it:
- Open Finder. Go to your Applications folder and double click Google Drive.
Click Get started.
Click Sign in.
A browser window opens. Make sure to sign in with your @usc.edu email address, not a personal @gmail.com account:
- If you're already signed in: Click your @usc.edu account to select it.
- If you're not already signed in:
  1. Type your @usc.edu email address and click Next.
  2. The Shibboleth login page displays. Log in using your USC NetID and passphrase.
  3. The Duo screen displays. Follow the prompt to complete authentication.
Click Sign in.
Once signed in, close your browser window and return to the Google Drive application window.
Click Next.
Click Next.
Select the checkbox for each folder you want to back up to Google Drive. If you do not see a folder listed and want to add it, click Add folder.
Click Next.
Click Got it.
We recommend clicking Skip instead of selecting folders to back up to Google Photos.
Click Open Drive.
Google Drive begins backing up your computer folders, and will continue to automatically back them up when your computer is connected to the Internet.

Detailed guide (with screenshots)

Open the Google Drive application if it isn't already open. To find it:
- Open Finder. Go to your Applications folder and double click Google Drive.
Click Get started.
Click Sign in.
A browser window opens. Make sure to sign in with your @usc.edu email address, not a personal @gmail.com account:
- If you're already signed in: Click your @usc.edu account to select it.
- If you're not already signed in:
  1. Type your @usc.edu email address and click Next.
  2. The Shibboleth login page displays. Log in using your USC NetID and passphrase.
  3. The Duo screen displays. Follow the prompt to complete authentication.
Click Sign in.
Once signed in, close your browser window and return to the Google Drive application window.
Click Next.
Click Next.
Select the checkbox for each folder you want to back up to Google Drive. If you do not see a folder listed and want to add it, click Add folder.
Click Next.
Click Got it.
We recommend clicking Skip instead of selecting folders to back up to Google Photos.
Click Open Drive.
Google Drive begins backing up your computer folders, and will continue to automatically back them up when your computer is connected to the Internet.

Accessing your computer backup from another device

If you are away from your computer, you can access your backup from any device using your browser:

Quick guide

Go to https://usc.edu/googledrive.
The Shibboleth login page displays. Log in using your USC NetID and passphrase.
The Duo screen displays. Follow the prompt to complete authentication.
In the left menu, click Computers.
Double click the computer name to view your files.
You can download files from Google Drive to the device that you're using. If you make changes to the files, remember to upload the edited files to Google Drive. Otherwise, you will still see the old version of the file when you return to your computer.

Detailed guide (with screenshots)

Go to https://usc.edu/googledrive.
The Shibboleth login page displays. Log in using your USC NetID and passphrase.
The Duo screen displays. Follow the prompt to complete authentication.
In the left menu, click Computers.
Double click the computer name to view your files.
You can download files from Google Drive to the device that you're using. If you make changes to the files, remember to upload the edited files to Google Drive. Otherwise, you will still see the old version of the file when you return to your computer.