Google Drive – How to Download a Computer Backup

backupgoogle-drive

Using Backup and Sync by Google, I had backed up my prior computer (a Mac Mini) to Google Drive (I have a lot of storage). Now, I just got my new computer (a Macbook Pro), and I'm having trouble downloading the backup. When I try to do the usual right click and download, the zipping of the folder always takes forever and times out (I've left the computer on overnight, making sure it won't turn off and it always tells me that the zip failed).

Is there a better way to do this? I tried Google Takeout but it doesn't access the Computer section of Google Drive.

Best Answer

If it is a large folder, downloading as a zip from Google will often time out due to Google converting all the Gdoc files and then splitting all your files in that folder into 2GB Zip files. (Have done many times before)

I would recommend installing backup and Sync onto your new Macbook Pro, not selecting any folders on the first step (My Macbook) - this is asking what you want to send into the cloud.

But then on step 3 selecting sync My Drive to this computer, and sync all your files. After it is completed downloading from Google drive you can move them where you like out of the Google drive folder and exit the Backup and Sync.

(I've done this recently from Macbook to iMac, and can say it is the easiest and fastest way by far)

Related Solutions

Google Drive – How to Anonymously Upload Files

This might work.

Allow Others to Upload Files to Your Google Drive with This Script

The script itself is here:

function doGet(e) {
  return HtmlService.createHtmlOutputFromFile('form.html');
}

function uploadFiles(form) {

  try {

    var dropbox = "Student Files";
    var folder, folders = DriveApp.getFoldersByName(dropbox);

    if (folders.hasNext()) {
      folder = folders.next();
    } else {
      folder = DriveApp.createFolder(dropbox);
    }

    var blob = form.myFile;    
    var file = folder.createFile(blob);    
    file.setDescription("Uploaded by " + form.myName);

    return "File uploaded successfully " + file.getUrl();

  } catch (error) {

    return error.toString();
  }

}

Once added to drive people can submit using a form:

<form id="myForm">

    <label>Your Name</label>
    <input type="text" name="myName">

    <label>Pick a file</label>
    <input type="file" name="myFile">

    <input type="submit" value="Upload File" 
               onclick="google.script.run
                        .uploadFiles(this.parentNode);
                        return false;">
</form>

Google-drive – Copy the Google Drive PC Folders without synchronising on the web

So if I understand correctly you are needing to make an offline back up of your google drive folder that is in your desktop?

Here are two different options.

Create a compressed version. This restricts the access to the files, however they are safe and can be done inside the cloud. Anyone can do this and could be done as a rotational duty. Purge or remove and storage once a week to avoid storage limits.
After the files are synchronized to your computer you have offline copies already available. You can simply copy the files "not the google drive folder" to a folder on the external hard drive. This will not resync the files and avoid the bandwidth usage.

If I were going to do something like this and from the sounds of it you do not have direct access to the files around the clock. Simply make separate Google drive that only certain people have access to so that you can transfer these files directly through Google to avoid the bandwidth charges.

Hope this helps :)

Best Answer

Related Solutions

Google Drive – How to Anonymously Upload Files

Google-drive – Copy the Google Drive PC Folders without synchronising on the web

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