Google Drive for desktop is the official Google Drive app for Windows and Mac. It adds Google Drive to File Explorer or Finder, keeps files synchronized with your Google account, lets you back up folders from your computer, and gives you the choice of streaming cloud files or keeping full copies offline.
The current Windows version supports 64-bit Windows 11 and Windows 10, while Google also provides native ARM64 support for Windows 11 devices such as newer Snapdragon-powered PCs. On Mac, Google Drive for desktop currently requires macOS Ventura 13 or newer.
The app is free to download. Your available cloud storage depends on your Google account or Google One plan. This guide covers the Windows x64 and ARM64 downloads, Mac installer, standalone and offline-install questions, installation, silent setup, and the most common problems that prevent Google Drive from installing.
Download Google Drive for PC on Windows 11 or Windows 10
Google provides the Windows installer as GoogleDriveSetup.exe. Use the standard Windows download on Intel and AMD PCs running a 64-bit version of Windows 10 or Windows 11.
Official Windows download: Download Google Drive for Windows
| Version | Support |
|---|---|
| Windows 11 x64 | Supported |
| Windows 10 x64 | Supported |
| Windows 11 ARM64 | Supported |
| Windows 10 ARM64 | Not officially supported |
| 32-bit Windows | Not supported |
You do not need separate Google Drive installers for Windows 11 and Windows 10 x64. Google supplies the current supported Windows package and Drive for desktop updates itself after installation.
Google Drive x64 Download for Windows 11 and Windows 10
Most PCs with Intel Core or AMD Ryzen processors should use the standard 64-bit Google Drive installer. This includes the majority of Windows 11 desktops and laptops as well as supported Windows 10 systems.
The installer filename is:
GoogleDriveSetup.exeThere is no 32-bit version of the current Drive for desktop app. If you have an older 32-bit Windows installation, you can still use Google Drive through a web browser, but you cannot install the current desktop client.
Google Drive ARM64 Download for Windows 11
Google Drive for desktop now supports Windows 11 ARM64. This is relevant to PCs using ARM processors such as Qualcomm Snapdragon chips, including many Copilot+ PCs and recent Surface models.
Google previously offered ARM64 support as a beta, but its current system requirements now list Windows 11 ARM64 as a supported platform.
Use Google’s current Drive for desktop download on a supported Windows 11 ARM device rather than installing an old x64-only package or a third-party build.
Windows 10 ARM64 is not listed as supported. Google specifically requires Windows 11 or newer for the ARM64 version.
Download Google Drive for Mac
Google distributes Drive for desktop on macOS as a DMG installer.
Official Mac download: Download Google Drive for Mac
The downloaded file is named:
GoogleDrive.dmgGoogle currently requires macOS Ventura 13 or newer. Drive for desktop works on supported Intel Macs and Apple silicon Macs.
How to Install Google Drive on Windows 11 or Windows 10
- Download GoogleDriveSetup.exe.
- Open your Downloads folder.
- Double-click GoogleDriveSetup.exe.
- Select Yes if Windows asks for administrator permission.
- Choose whether you want desktop shortcuts when the option appears.
- Complete the installation.
- Open Google Drive from the Start menu or system tray.
- Select Sign in with browser.
- Sign in with your Google account and approve the connection.
After setup, Google Drive appears as a drive in File Explorer. Open it to access My Drive, Shared drives when available, and other synced content.
How to Install Google Drive on Mac
- Download GoogleDrive.dmg.
- Open the downloaded DMG file.
- Run the Google Drive installer.
- Follow the macOS installation prompts.
- Open Google Drive.
- Sign in with your Google account.
- Allow the requested macOS file and folder permissions.
Google Drive appears in Finder after setup. Its menu-bar icon also lets you check synchronization status, search Drive, pause syncing, and open preferences.
Google Drive Offline Installer for Windows
Google does not advertise a separate package specifically named the Google Drive offline installer. The official GoogleDriveSetup.exe is also the installer Google provides to administrators for manual and silent deployment.
However, you should not assume that the setup will always complete on a completely disconnected PC. Drive for desktop requires Microsoft WebView2 on Windows. Windows 11 and most Windows 10 PCs already include it, but Google says its installer will download WebView2 if the component is missing.
You also need internet access to sign in to Google Drive, synchronize files, and receive updates.
Can Google Drive files be used offline?
Yes. This is separate from installing the application offline.
Drive for desktop provides two main storage modes:
| Mode | How it works |
|---|---|
| Stream files | Files remain primarily in Google Drive and download when needed, saving local disk space. |
| Mirror files | A complete copy of My Drive is stored on the computer and remains available offline. |
If you use streaming, you can also make selected files or folders available offline without mirroring your entire Drive.
Google Drive Standalone Installer for Windows
If you are searching for a Google Drive standalone installer, use the official GoogleDriveSetup.exe. Google uses the same package for normal installations and managed deployments.
There is no need to download a repackaged EXE, MSI converter, portable edition, or installer from a third-party software site.
Google Drive Silent Install for Windows
Google supports silent installation for administrators and users deploying Drive for desktop without stepping through the normal setup interface.
Open Command Prompt or your deployment tool and run:
GoogleDriveSetup.exe --silentTo install silently and create a desktop shortcut:
GoogleDriveSetup.exe --silent --desktop_shortcutTo stop Drive from automatically launching immediately after installation:
GoogleDriveSetup.exe --silent --skip_launch_newYou can combine supported arguments. For example:
GoogleDriveSetup.exe --silent --desktop_shortcut --skip_launch_newGoogle Drive Silent Install on Mac
Administrators can also deploy the Mac DMG from Terminal:
hdiutil mount GoogleDrive.dmg
sudo installer -pkg "/Volumes/Install Google Drive/GoogleDrive.pkg" -target "/Volumes/Macintosh HD"
hdiutil unmount "/Volumes/Install Google Drive"This is mainly useful for managed Macs or bulk deployments. Most personal Mac users should open the DMG and use the normal installer.
Google Drive for Desktop System Requirements
| Platform | Current requirement |
|---|---|
| Windows x64 | Windows 10 or newer |
| Windows ARM64 | Windows 11 or newer |
| Windows Server x64 | Windows Server 2016 or newer |
| Mac | macOS Ventura 13 or newer |
| 32-bit Windows | Not supported |
| Linux | No Drive for desktop app |
Windows also requires Microsoft WebView2. It is already present on Windows 11 and most Windows 10 systems. Google Drive Setup attempts to download it automatically if required.
Google Drive for Desktop vs Google Drive in a Browser
You do not need Drive for desktop just to upload or download files. Google Drive on the web works in a supported browser without installing software.
Install Drive for desktop when you want Google Drive integrated with File Explorer or Finder, automatic folder synchronization, local offline files, or continuous backup of folders from the computer.
| Feature | Drive for desktop | Drive website |
|---|---|---|
| Browse Drive in File Explorer/Finder | Yes | No |
| Automatic folder sync | Yes | No |
| Stream files without storing everything locally | Yes | No |
| Mirror Drive for offline use | Yes | No |
| Upload and download individual files | Yes | Yes |
| Installation required | Yes | No |
Should You Stream or Mirror Google Drive Files?
Stream files if you have a large Google Drive and do not want it consuming the same amount of storage on your PC or Mac. Files appear in File Explorer or Finder but are downloaded when you open them.
Mirror files if you need the full contents of My Drive available without internet access. Mirroring stores a complete local copy, so you need enough free disk space.
For most laptops with limited SSD storage, streaming is the more practical default. You can still mark important streamed folders for offline access.
Fix Google Drive Not Downloading or Installing
GoogleDriveSetup.exe does not open
Restart Windows and download a fresh installer. Make sure you are running a supported 64-bit or ARM64 version of Windows rather than a 32-bit installation.
Google Drive says the operating system is unsupported
Check your Windows or macOS version. The current desktop app requires Windows 10 or newer on x64 PCs, Windows 11 on ARM64 PCs, or macOS Ventura 13 or newer.
WebView2 installation fails
Drive for desktop requires Microsoft WebView2. If Google Drive Setup cannot install it automatically, download the current WebView2 Evergreen Standalone Installer from Microsoft, install it, restart Windows, and run Google Drive Setup again.
Google Drive installs but will not sign in
Make sure your default browser can access Google services and that cookies and JavaScript are enabled. Work and school administrators can also restrict Drive for desktop, so an organization-managed account may require administrator approval.
Google Drive is installed but not syncing
Open the Drive icon in the Windows system tray or Mac menu bar and check the displayed sync error. Restart Drive for desktop before reinstalling it, and confirm that you have enough local disk space and Google account storage for the files being synchronized.
Google Drive uses too much disk space
Open Drive for desktop preferences and switch My Drive from Mirror files to Stream files if you do not need a complete offline copy. Streaming keeps most file data in the cloud and uses substantially less local storage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Google Drive free to download for PC?
Yes. Google Drive for desktop is free to download and install. A standard Google account includes a limited amount of cloud storage, with additional storage available through Google One or eligible Workspace plans.
Does Google Drive work on Windows 11?
Yes. Google Drive for desktop supports Windows 11 on standard 64-bit Intel and AMD PCs as well as Windows 11 ARM64 devices.
Can I download Google Drive for Windows 10?
Yes. Google currently supports 64-bit Windows 10. The current Drive for desktop app does not support 32-bit Windows.
Is there a Google Drive ARM64 installer?
Yes. Google officially supports Drive for desktop on ARM64 devices running Windows 11 or newer. Windows 10 ARM64 is not listed as supported.
Can I download Google Drive for Mac?
Yes. Google provides a DMG installer for Mac. The current minimum supported operating system is macOS Ventura 13.
What happened to Google Backup and Sync?
Google replaced Backup and Sync with Google Drive for desktop. Current Windows and Mac users should install Drive for desktop rather than searching for the discontinued Backup and Sync application.
What happened to Google Drive File Stream?
Drive File Stream was incorporated into Google Drive for desktop. Some installation folders and administrative references can still contain the older “Drive File Stream” name, but the current application is Google Drive for desktop.
Is there a Google Drive MSI installer?
Google distributes the current Windows application as GoogleDriveSetup.exe, not as a public MSI download. Administrators can install the EXE silently using Google’s supported command-line options.
Can I install Google Drive without administrator rights?
Installation can require administrator permission, especially when Windows needs system components such as WebView2. On a managed work or school PC, your administrator may need to install Drive for desktop for you.
Does Google Drive have an offline installer?
Google does not separately advertise a full offline installer. The official GoogleDriveSetup.exe is the deployable Windows setup package, but additional components such as WebView2 may need to be downloaded if they are missing.
Can Google Drive work without internet?
Yes, for files already stored locally. Mirrored files remain available offline automatically, while streamed files can be individually marked for offline access. Synchronization resumes after the internet connection returns.
Can I install Google Drive on Linux?
Google does not provide Drive for desktop for Linux. Linux users can access Google Drive through a web browser or use another compatible solution.
Does Google Drive for desktop update automatically?
Yes. Google Drive for desktop is configured to receive automatic updates on Windows and Mac, so you generally do not need to repeatedly download newer installers.
