How to Sync a Folder with Google Drive [Full Guide]

What You Need to Know Before Syncing with Google Drive

When you sync a folder in Google Drive, you ensure your important files are backed up, accessible from any device, and easy to share or collaborate on. This keeps your data safe and up to date wherever you go. Before you start, there are a few important things to pay attention to for a smooth syncing experience:

• Stable internet connection
• Manage Google Drive storage space
• Choose between streaming or mirroring files
• Organize folder names to avoid conflicts
• Monitor local storage use
• Be mindful of privacy and security settings

1. How to Sync a Folder to Google Drive Using CBackup

CBackup offers a reliable and user-friendly way to sync files to Google Drive. It lets you back up entire folders from your computer directly to Google Drive, eliminating the need for manual uploads. With scheduled backup, you can set automatic syncing daily, weekly, or monthly to keep your files regularly updated.

CBackup also supports cloud-to-cloud backup, enabling data transfer between different cloud services. To save time and bandwidth, it uploads only new or changed files after the initial backup. Additionally, you can combine multiple cloud storage accounts to increase your total available space. These features make CBackup an efficient solution to sync a folder in Google Drive securely and effortlessly.

💡 Ready to learn how to sync folders in Google Drive using CBackup? Follow these simple steps to set up automatic folder syncing:

Step 1. Please download CBackup, install it, and launch it. Then sign up for a free CBackup account and sign in to the CBackup desktop app.

Step 2. Click the Storage tab on the left, then choose Google Drive, click Authorize Now, and then follow the steps to grant access to CBackup.

Step 3. Click Sync > Sync PC to Public Cloud to create a new backup task.

Step 4. Then select the folders that you want to sync to Google Drive in Source, and select a Google Drive folder as the destination.

Step 5. Press Settings > Scheduler > check the option "Set a Sync schedule for automated Sync", then choose One time only, Daily, Weekly, or Monthly, click OK, Then press Start Sync to auto sync folder to Google Drive.

♦Note: There are two other features you could configure in Settings at the bottom left corner:
✍ Email Notification: it will notify you of the sync result after the sync task is finished if you are not in front of the computer.
✍ File Filter: it allows you to exclude the file types you don't want to sync to the cloud drive. Besides, you could only backup file types you like or sync all file types.

2. How to Sync in Google Drive via the Official Desktop App

Google Drive for Desktop offers a simple way to sync Google Drive to folder locations on your computer in real time. This method works well for users who need constant access to updated files across multiple devices without manually uploading anything. You can select specific folders to sync, which helps control storage usage.

Google lets you choose between streaming files to save space or mirroring them for offline access, and then the app will run in the background and keep files up to date automatically. Overall, the Google Drive sync a folder option ensures reliable access and backup for your important data.

💡 Here’s how to sync files from Google Drive to PC using the official desktop app in just a few quick steps:

Step 1. On your computer, download and install Google Drive for your desktop.

Step 2. Open Drive for desktop, and click Sign in with the browser to connect your Google Account that you use for Google Drive.

Step 3. Under the My Computer tab, click Add folder to select any folders you want to back up.

Step 4. You will be asked to choose if you Sync with Google Drive or Back up to Google Photos, choose Sync with Google Drive only. You can choose to sync the entire drive with your computer or sync specific folders on Google Drive with this computer. After selection. Click Done.

Step 5. Then on the next screen, click Save to make sure the current folder is automatically synced to Google Drive.

After setting up Drive for desktop on your computer, it will create a Google Drive disk on your computer to store the contents from Drive. You can see the Google Drive disk in Windows Explorer and add files or folders to this disk to let Google Drive auto-sync the folder to the cloud. If you have multiple computers, you can also sync multiple computers with Drive for desktop.

3. How to Sync Folder in Google Drive on a Webpage

While syncing Google Drive with computers automatically requires the desktop app, the web version lets you upload entire folders manually. This method works well when you want to back up files without installing software, making them accessible from anywhere.

However, this process only uploads your folder once and won’t sync changes automatically—you’ll need to upload updated files again to keep your Drive current. This approach suits users who need occasional uploads or use shared devices without installing apps.

💡 If you want to sync Google Drive with PCs through the web interface, here’s a simple step-by-step guide:

Step 1. Please log in to your Google Drive account, then click the + New button, then choose Folder Upload in the dropdown menu.

Step 2. Select the folders that you want to sync to Google Drive, and hit Upload.

Now, your folders will be uploaded to Google Drive easily, but this way could waste a lot of time if there are many folders to upload.

4. How to Sync from Google Drive Using Drag and Drop

To quickly add files or folders to your cloud storage, try syncing folders with Google Drive by dragging and dropping them directly from your computer into the browser window. This uploads your selected folders to the cloud, making them accessible from any device linked to your Google account.

This method uploads folders only once and does not automatically sync future changes. For continuous syncing folders with Google Drive, use the Google Drive desktop app or other syncing tools.

💡 Here’s a simple guide on how to sync files in Google Drive:

Step 1. Drag and drop the folders that you want to sync to the My Drive folder in the Google Drive disk on your computer.

Step 2. Wait for a while, it will automatically sync folders to Google Drive.

Reasons for Syncing Folder to Google Drive

There must be many important folders containing a large number of files like photos, documents, videos, etc. on our computer that you may want to make a copy of your data for security. As we all know, Google Drive is an advanced online storage service that can keep your data safe and far away from your location. There are multiple advantages to syncing folders to OneDrive:

Therefore, you may want to sync your important folders to Google Drive for safekeeping. Given this is a long-term project, you must want to sync them to Google Drive automatically to save both time and effort. If you don’t know how to sync a folder to Google Drive, you can refer to the solutions we mentioned above and use CBackup for cloud backup.

Tips for syncing with Google Drive

Here are some useful tips on how to sync files from Google Drive to PCs to ensure a smooth and efficient syncing experience. Following these tips will help you avoid common problems, keep your files organized, and make sure your data stays safe and up to date across devices.

Tip 1. How to Access PC Files and Folders on Google Drive

You can access the folders that you backed up to through the Google Drive website. To make it easier for you to identify the PC folder and the local Google Drive folder, they are stored in a separate section of Google Drive. You can find them under the "Computer" section.

Step 1. Go to the website of Google Drive and sign in to your Google account.

Step 2. Find the Computer option in the menu on the left.  You can find the local folder you have uploaded under this section.

Tip 2. How to Sync Google Drive Shared Folder

If you want to keep a shared folder from Google Drive easily accessible on all your devices, syncing it is the way to go. Just head over to the “Shared with me” section in Google Drive, find the folder you want, then right-click and choose “Add shortcut to Drive.” This puts the folder right into your Drive so you can find it quickly anytime.

Remember, this doesn’t make a separate copy—it just links to the original folder, so any changes you or others make will show up for everyone. It’s perfect for staying updated on team projects or group files without the hassle of downloading everything over and over.

💡 Follow these steps to do that:

Step 1. Open your web browser and go to drive.google.com.

Step 2. Sign in to your Google account if you haven’t already.

Step 3. In the left sidebar, click Shared with me to view folders and files others have shared with you.

Step 4. Find the shared folder you want to sync, right-click it, and select Add Shortcut to Drive.

Step 5. Choose the location in your Drive where you want the shortcut to appear, then click Add Shortcut.

Tip 3: How to Specify Google Drive Sync Folders

When syncing Google Drive with your computer, specifying which folders to sync helps you manage storage space and keep only important files updated. Instead of syncing your entire Drive, you can choose specific folders to sync, saving bandwidth and local disk space.

This feature allows you to focus on the files you use most while keeping your Google Drive organized and efficient. Whether you want to sync work documents, photos, or project files, selecting particular folders gives you better control over your data and improves syncing performance. 

💡 If you want to know how to sync computer files with Google Drive, here’s a simple guide to help you:

Step 1. Download and install Google Drive for Desktop from Google’s official website.

Step 2. Open the app and sign in using your Google account credentials.

Step 3. Click the Settings icon (gear) and select Preferences.

Step 4. Under the My Computer tab, click Add folder, then choose the folder on your computer you want to sync with Google Drive.

Step 5. Confirm your selection and click Save to start syncing. Your files will now automatically sync between your computer and Google Drive.

Conclusion

Learning how to sync a folder with Google Drive helps you keep your important files safe, organized, and accessible across all your devices. Whether you use the official Google Drive desktop app, third-party tools like CBackup, or the web interface, syncing folders ensures your data stays up to date without manual uploads. Each method offers unique benefits and limitations, so choose the one that fits your needs best. By syncing folders properly, you save time, manage storage efficiently, and simplify file access wherever you go. Mastering this process makes your digital life easier and more secure.