Google Drive is an application that allows you to access all of your Google Drive files on demand, directly from your computer without having to synchronize your entire drive or shared drive (saving storage space on your device). With Google Drive, you can access files in your both own Drive and Shared Drives. With Google Drive, your files are stored on the cloud instead of your computer and any changes you make are automatically synchronized with the cloud for quick easy access from any device that supports Google Drive (including mobile phones, tablets, other computers, or the web).


If you have a university-provided computer, Google Drive should already be installed.

If it's not installed on an EWU Windows computer (faculty, staff, lab, lectern, conference), open COMPANY PORTAL from the Windows Start Menu, search for GoogleDrive, and click INSTALL.

If you want to install on other Macs or PC's, follow the instructions below.


Download and Install


To download, choose your respective platform:


DOWNLOAD FOR WINDOWS DOWNLOAD FOR MAC 



On your computer, open:


  • GoogleDrive.exe on Windows
  • GoogleDrive.dmg on Mac


Follow the on-screen instructions. Login using your EWU Username and SSO password (use [email protected] for both faculty/staff and students). Select Allow on the permissions prompt.


System Requirements


  • Mac:
    • MacOS Big Sur 11.0 and up


  1. Important: Before you start, check that your operating system is compatible with Drive for desktop.

    1. Open "GoogleDriveSetup.exe."
    2. Follow the on-screen instructions.

    On Drive for desktop, at the bottom right, in the system tray, you can find the Drive for desktop menu Drive File Stream.

    Tip: To ”Show hidden icons,” click the arrow.

    To make it easier to find Drive for desktop when it's closed, you can pin it.

    • To add Drive to the Start menu: In your Start menu, right click Drive and then Pin to Start.
    • To add Drive to the taskbar: In your Start menu, right click Drive and then Pin to Taskbar.

    Important: Before you start, check that your operating system is compatible with Drive for desktop.

    1. Open “GoogleDrive.dmg.”
    2. Follow the on-screen instructions.


    On Drive for desktop, at the top right, in the menu bar, you can find the Drive for desktop menu Drive File Stream.

    To make it easier to find Drive for desktop when it's closed, you can pin it.

    • To add Drive to your Dock: In the “Applications” folder, drag the Drive app to the left side of the recently used apps separator line.


Using Google Drive


Once Google Drive is installed, a folder called Google Drive will appear on the left in Finder or File Explorer. You will also find the Drive Menu in a different place, depending on what computer you use. On Windows, look for the icon at the bottom right of your screen. On macOS, look at the top right of your screen. Your computer's Google Drive folder will contain both your personal Google Drive and any Shared Drives you can access. The only difference between these files and any other file on your computer is that these files are not stored on your computer by default and any changes you make to them will automatically sync with your cloud storage.


You can install Google Drive on multiple computers and as long as they are all online, they will synchronize your files automatically between every computer.


For additional information about Google Drive, check out our FAQs.

If you need any further assistance please view our Service Catalog for other Knowledge Base articles or contact the IT Help Desk via Phone: 509.359.2247 or Email: [email protected]