googlegoogle-photos
I am using the app download from https://photos.google.com/apps (for Windows)
My question, how do I make sure that when I delete uploaded photos/videos from the local folder it won't be deleted in Google Photos?
So for instance, I have this folder configured for sync with the app: C:\Photos
I dump photos and videos here and when the sync is complete I will need to permanently delete it from my hard disk to save space.
You should be able to go to:
https://www.google.com/settings/storage?hl=en
Then hover over the pie chart and it will bring up a window showing your detailed usage. Google Photos should be in the list, and that should be your total amount used by your photo storage in that folder.
There is no right combination of settings.
The Google Photos upload checkbox (in the Backup and Sync preferences) is a blanket toggle: it affects all the selected local backup/sync folders. So if you want to backup Drive-only files, you need to leave it unchecked and continue manually uploading your images to the Photos app.
As of yet, the B&S client does not allow fine-grained control of what gets uploaded into Photos. Also for backups, be reminded that Photos has limitations on file types and min/max sizes.
As a workaround for periodic backups to Photos, you can try the following:
For "Removing item", select "Don't remove items everywhere".
Select only the folder(s) you want to back up to Photos
As a side-effect to using B&S, you also retain the images in your Google Drive. But they are linked invisibly to Photos, so:
Best Answer
If you delete a photo or video from your local device which is already backed-up to Google Photos, it won't be deleted from Google Photos.
To test this, backup any random photo or video to Google Photos, then delete it from local device. Now check Google Photos, you will see that photo or video there.
See the Notes on Google Photos Help page under Set up the Backup and Sync computer app: