How to Uninstall and Remove Google Drive from PC or Mac

Maybe you don't want to use Google Drive anymore or need to reinstall it to fix the problem. Don't worry! Today's article will show you how to remove Google Drive from your Windows PC or Mac.

Google Drive and Backup and Sync

Before we explain how to uninstall Google Drive from your computer, it's worth mentioning that the Google Drive desktop app has gone by a few different names.

While the app was originally called Google Drive, Google renamed it Backup and Sync in 2017, though the program retains most of the same functionality. A separate app, Google Drive File Stream , offers additional tools for business users.

As of 2021, Google has combined all of Google Drive's desktop functionality into one app, once again called Google Drive . So if you still have the old Backup and Sync app on your computer, the steps to uninstall Backup and Sync may be a little different.

For best results, update to the modern Google Drive app before continuing.

How to disconnect Google Drive from your computer

Before removing Google Drive from your computer, you should disconnect your system from your account. This is also a useful step if you don't want to completely remove Google Drive.

To disconnect Google Drive, you will need to open the software. However, searching for it will not work, as this will only launch the application. Instead, you will need to click on its icon while the application is running.

On Windows, you'll find the familiar green, yellow, blue, and red Google Drive triangle icon in the system tray at the bottom right of your screen. You may need to click the arrow to show all the icons.

On a Mac, you'll see a similar icon in the menu bar at the top of your screen. However, the Google Drive icon doesn't have any color on the macOS app.

If you don't see this icon, Google Drive isn't running. To run it on Windows, press the Windows key and type "Google Drive" , then press Enter , to launch it. On a Mac, press Cmd + Space to open Spotlight , then type "Google Drive" , then press Return to launch the app. When the app starts, you'll see the icon appear.

How to Uninstall and Remove Google Drive from PC or Mac
Google Drive app icon

Regardless of which platform you're using, click this icon to open a panel with information about Google Drive. From there, click the Settings gear, then Preferences , to open the Google Drive options menu.

How to Uninstall and Remove Google Drive from PC or Mac
Open the Google Drive options menu

In the Preferences panel , click the Settings gear icon again . Now, select Disconnect account . You'll see a warning that any files in Drive, as well as copied files, will remain on your PC, but future changes won't sync to Google Drive. Click Disconnect to confirm.

How to Uninstall and Remove Google Drive from PC or Mac
Click Disconnect to confirm

Now, anything you do in your Drive account on other devices won't reflect on your current computer, and changes you make to files in your Drive folder on your computer won't sync elsewhere. You'll need to reconnect your Google account in the app to start syncing files again.

How to uninstall Google Drive

Decided you don't need Google Drive anymore or want to reinstall the software? Here's how to remove Google Drive from your computer.

Note that removing the Google Drive app will stop your files from syncing, but it won't delete your existing files. You can delete or move them as needed after uninstalling, and this won't affect the copies in the cloud.

Uninstall Google Drive on Windows 10

To remove Google Drive from Windows, simply uninstall it like any other program. Open Settings (using the Win+ shortcut I) and navigate to Apps > Apps & features .

Use the search box or scroll down to find Google Drive . Click Uninstall and follow the steps to remove it from your computer. Once you’re done, you’ll need to reinstall the app if you want to start syncing files to this computer again. The Google Drive folder will still exist, but it will be separated from your account.

How to Uninstall and Remove Google Drive from PC or Mac
Click Uninstall

In case you get an error saying Google Drive is still running, you should quit Google Drive before uninstalling it. To do this, click the app’s icon in the system tray as described above, then click the settings gear in the resulting menu. In the dialog box that appears, click Quit to stop Google Drive from running. You should then be able to uninstall it without any problems.

Uninstall Google Drive on macOS

The process for removing Google Drive from your Mac is the same as uninstalling any other macOS app. Open Finder and navigate to the Applications folder. If you don’t see it in the left sidebar, it’s also available in the Go menu or by using the + Shiftkeyboard shortcut .CmdA

Inside Applications , find the Google Drive app  and drag it to the Trash on the Dock, or right-click it and select Move to Trash . This will remove the app from your system.

How to Uninstall and Remove Google Drive from PC or Mac
Select Move to Trash

If your Mac warns you that you need to quit the app first, this is easy to do. Click the Google Drive icon in the menu bar, then click the settings gear. Then, select Quit from that menu to quit Google Drive. Google Drive should now uninstall without a hitch.

How to Pause Google Drive

If you just want to stop syncing Google Drive for a short time, you don't need to disconnect or uninstall it. Both the Windows and Mac apps let you pause Google Drive if needed.

To do this, click the Drive icon again , as mentioned earlier. In the Settings menu, select the Pause syncing option . This will stop Google Drive from uploading and downloading until you repeat the steps and select Resume syncing . Once you resume, it will sync all changes made while the app was paused.

You can pause Google Drive if needed.

You can also stop Google Drive from syncing by selecting Quit from this menu, as mentioned above. When you close the software, it won't sync until you reopen it. However, keep in mind that if you've set Google Drive to run at startup, it will automatically run again the next time you turn on your computer.

See how to manage startup items on Windows or how to change startup programs on Mac to keep Drive from running at system startup, if you like.

Sign up and earn $1000 a day ⋙

Leave a Comment

8 Cheapest Cloud Storage Providers

8 Cheapest Cloud Storage Providers

Let’s take a look at the cheapest online cloud storage options available. We’ll look at prices both in absolute terms and per gigabyte (per month) so you can choose what’s best for you.

How to convert multiple Word documents to Google Docs

How to convert multiple Word documents to Google Docs

Google Drive has an option built in that allows you to convert multiple documents at once, and it's not complicated to do.

Summary of the best free online data storage websites today

Summary of the best free online data storage websites today

Nowadays, many users and businesses tend to reduce the need to depend on expensive hardware and infrastructure by putting files and applications in the cloud.

Google Drive gets faster with separate sync

Google Drive gets faster with separate sync

Good news for those who regularly use Google Drive: Google has just rolled out a new update with a long-awaited feature that could significantly impact the user experience of this storage service.

9 Notion Integrations to Boost Productivity

9 Notion Integrations to Boost Productivity

With the right integrations, you can automate workflows, sync data across platforms, and boost productivity without ever leaving Notion.

Google Drive for desktop will be discontinued in March 2018

Google Drive for desktop will be discontinued in March 2018

Google Drive for desktop will be discontinued in March 2018, Google has officially announced that it will stop supporting Google Drive for desktop and then the company will remove the application.

How to extract ZIP files in Google Drive without downloading first

How to extract ZIP files in Google Drive without downloading first

How to extract ZIP files in Google Drive without downloading first, On the desktop, you have utilities like WinZip and 7-Zip to extract files easily. However, if

How to save attachments in Gmail to Google Drive

How to save attachments in Gmail to Google Drive

How to save attachments in Gmail to Google Drive, If you regularly use Gmail, you may have to deal with many attachments. Here's how to save attachments

How to share Excel files on Google Drive

How to share Excel files on Google Drive

How to share Excel files on Google Drive, Want to share files online on Google Drive to bring to friends, colleagues or partners quickly and conveniently?

How to download files on Google Drive without compression

How to download files on Google Drive without compression

Computer users can use Drive Multiple Downloader to download data from Google Drive without data compression.

How to disguise Google Drive data

How to disguise Google Drive data

Using photos to camouflage data on Google is one of the effective ways to protect personal data on this online storage service.

How to transfer data from Google Drive to Dropbox

How to transfer data from Google Drive to Dropbox

With just a little setup from My Account, users can easily move data back and forth between Google Drive and Dropbox, OneDrive services.

Tips for creating a copy when sharing Google Drive documents

Tips for creating a copy when sharing Google Drive documents

Tips for creating copies of Google Drive documents can be useful when you want to protect the original document or template, while allowing others the flexibility to edit copies of the document for themselves.

Turn off the startup feature of Google Drive computer

Turn off the startup feature of Google Drive computer

With just a few simple settings, we can prevent Google Drive from automatically starting and starting up with the computer.

Learn about the OmniFocus task management tool

Learn about the OmniFocus task management tool

OmniFocus is one of the best apps to help you turn procrastination into productivity.

Why is CapCuts AI engine the top choice for creating short-form videos?

Why is CapCuts AI engine the top choice for creating short-form videos?

CapCut is the best short-form video editor out there. But with the addition of AI editing tools, it's a video editor everyone should be using.

Latest X-Dog Code and How to Enter Code

Latest X-Dog Code and How to Enter Code

Code X-Dog gives players some attractive rewards. It helps players not have to struggle to find items when they first enter the game.

Standard Caitlyn DTCL season 10 equipment, build Caitlyn TFT season 10 squad

Standard Caitlyn DTCL season 10 equipment, build Caitlyn TFT season 10 squad

Standard items for Caitlyn DTCL season 10 are ready, before that she had a low price - 1 gold and would usually be the one to keep items for other champions later.

Microsoft will continue to invest heavily in OpenAI at a valuation of more than $100 billion

Microsoft will continue to invest heavily in OpenAI at a valuation of more than $100 billion

Microsoft has invested billions of dollars in OpenAI since 2019, although the Redmond-based software giant is by no means the primary investor in the innovative AI startup.

How to Share YouTube Channel Using QR Code

How to Share YouTube Channel Using QR Code

Sharing your YouTube channel access link just got a whole lot easier thanks to a newly introduced feature.

Latest Huyen Tuong 3Q Code and how to enter code

Latest Huyen Tuong 3Q Code and how to enter code

The latest Huyen Tuong 3Q Code is dedicated to players and supports new players when they first join the 3Q battlefield with the most necessary items.

Fiora DTCL: Standard build for Fiora Demacia Challenger

Fiora DTCL: Standard build for Fiora Demacia Challenger

This season 9.5 of Truth Arena Fiora will definitely replace Yasuo in the 4-gold Challenger main position.

Why propose on one knee?

Why propose on one knee?

Medieval knights (and Game of Thrones' Jon Snow) were famous for kneeling, which may have influenced today's marriage proposals. Here's why men get down on their knees to propose.

Positive quotes, happy status, short optimistic and positive status

Positive quotes, happy status, short optimistic and positive status

Which cheerful and optimistic status helps you lift your spirits the most? This article will summarize for you short, meaningful and cheerful statuses to quickly regain your spirits.

Health risks of Vitamin B12 deficiency

Health risks of Vitamin B12 deficiency

Your red blood cells, nerves, and brain all depend on vitamin B12. But some people don't get enough of this nutrient, and a vitamin B12 deficiency can cause a number of health problems.

What happens to your body if you wear a bra every day?

What happens to your body if you wear a bra every day?

Aside from providing the foundation for your outfit and making you look better, bras are also designed to benefit you in a variety of other ways.

ChatGPT crashes globally

ChatGPT crashes globally

On the morning of November 22, OpenAI's ChatGPT chatbot experienced widespread problems, and many users around the world were unable to use this AI application.

How to Use WiFi Analyzer to Boost Your Wi-Fi Connection

How to Use WiFi Analyzer to Boost Your Wi-Fi Connection

Just buying a new Wi-Fi router isn't enough to boost your network. To get the most out of your Wi-Fi, you need to make sure you're getting the best range, signal, and frequency.

Ways the body communicates with us that are often overlooked

Ways the body communicates with us that are often overlooked

Our bodies are machines, constantly sending signals and messages, but we rarely pay attention to them. Let's see what our bodies want to tell us through the signals below.