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I have been given access to a shared Google Drive folder. I want to download the content of that Google drive, modify / add / remove content in that on regular basis on my local machine.

I want to automatically sync up the changes in the Google drive itself in the same shared Google drive folder as it's being used by multiple users. How can I do it?

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  • this question needs an update
    – Ooker
    May 7, 2022 at 17:28

2 Answers 2

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Select the folder in Shared with me on a computer, then press Shift + Z. You can then add the folder to My Drive. You can sync folders in My Drive with your computer by using Drive for desktop.

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  • I don't really like my answer. I stopped using Google Drive just as shortcuts were implemented (and switched to Dropbox). Please see my other answer: webapps.stackexchange.com/a/146301/109353 which I think is a better answer.
    – ahorn
    Jan 16, 2021 at 10:08
  • I'm not sure why you don't like your answer. It works perfectly for me and syncs the files back to the original sharer. But it's not a shortcut that has been created, it looks like a proper folder. In the context menu I can only find the option to create a shortcut (which doesn't help here), but SHIFT + Z works as you suggested! Jul 15, 2021 at 11:15
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    Now that Google has indeed killed Backup and Sync (twitter.com/rafa_borges/status/1481763973045358594), this solution has stopped working. May 17, 2022 at 10:34
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    @JeroenWiertPluimers the problem is that 'shortcuts' have replaced file sharing. In this answer, I explain that (I think) regular files aren't synced locally, so an alternate version control system is needed, such as a Google Workspace shared drive, Git, Dropbox, etc.
    – ahorn
    May 18, 2022 at 10:13
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You will find detailed instructions to your answer within the Back up & sync files with Google Drive and the Drive File Stream help pages, depending on the kind of account you have.

Having already gone through the first step (Choose a sync solution), you can Turn on sync for your organization.

As a quick reference for the differences between the two options (Compare Backup and Sync & Drive File Stream) please read the following:

Compare Backup and Sync Drive File Stream
Use files in My Drive Yes Yes
Use files in shared drives No Yes
Sync only selected folders in My Drive Yes Yes
Sync only individual files in My Drive No Yes
Use native apps, like Microsoft Office & Photoshop Yes Yes
See who's editing with real-time presence in Microsoft Office No Yes
Integrates with Microsoft Outlook, Meet scheduling No Yes
Sync other folders, like Documents or Desktop Yes No
Use with your personal Google Account, like MyPersonalAccount@gmail.com Yes No
Use with your work or school Google Account Maybe Yes
Upload photos and videos to Google Photos Yes No
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