In this article, we'll show you how to download all files from your Google Drive to your macOS or Windows computer. You can download the files from the Google Drive website, sync the files with your computer (using Google's Startup & Sync software), or download the files as an archive. If you have more than 5 GB of data in Drive, it's best to sync it to your computer using Google's free Startup & Sync app.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: On a Google Drive site
Step 1. Open the Google Drive website
Go to https://drive.google.com/ in your computer's web browser. If you are already logged in, your Drive page will open.
If you are not already signed in to your Google account, click Go to Google Drive, and then enter your email address and password
Step 2. Click on any file or folder on the Drive page
This will highlight the file or folder.
Step 3. Select all Google Drive content
To do this, press Ctrl + A (Windows) or ⌘ Command + A (Mac). Each item on the Drive main page will be highlighted in blue.
Step 4. Click on ⋮
You will find this icon in the upper right corner of the page. A menu will open.
Step 5. Click Download
You will find this option in the menu. The process of downloading all files to your computer will begin.
Google Drive will pack the files into an archive (ZIP file)
Step 6. Wait for the files to download to your computer
Now open your downloads folder and unzip the downloaded archive to view the files.
Method 2 of 3: Using Startup and Sync
Step 1. Open the Startup & Sync web page
Go to https://www.google.com/drive/download/ in your computer's web browser. With this program, you can synchronize files between your computer and Google Drive, that is, download files from Drive to your computer.
The advantage of this method is that any changes made in Disk will be automatically reflected on the computer through the Startup and Synchronization program
Step 2. Click Download
You will find this blue button in the Personal Use section on the left side of the page.
Step 3. Click Agree and download
The installation file of the program will start downloading to your computer.
Step 4. Install the "Startup and Synchronization" program
When the installation file downloads, do one of the following, depending on your operating system:
- Windows - Double-click the installation file, click Yes, and then click Close when the installation is complete.
- Mac - Double-click the installer, allow third-party software to be installed (if prompted), drag the Startup and Sync icon to the Applications folder shortcut and wait for the installation to complete.
Step 5. Wait for the Google login page to open
This will happen when the Startup and Sync program is installed.
You may need to click "Get Started" first
Step 6. Sign in to your Google account
Enter your email address and password for the Google Account associated with the Google Drive where the files you want are stored.
Step 7. Select the computer folders to be synchronized (if necessary)
Check the boxes next to the folders whose content will be uploaded to Google Drive.
If you don't want to upload files to Disk, clear all boxes on this page
Step 8. Click Next
It's in the lower right corner.
Step 9. Click Got it
A page will open where you can select the files that will be downloaded to your computer.
Step 10. Check the box next to "Synchronize everything"
It's at the top of the window. All files will now be downloaded to your computer.
Step 11. Click on Start
You will find this blue button in the lower right corner. The process of downloading all of the Google Drive content to your computer begins.
- The download will take some time, depending on the total size of the files.
- When the download is complete, find the files in the "Google Drive" folder on your computer. To open this folder, click on the Startup and Sync icon, and then click on the specified folder in the upper right corner of the program's menu.
Method 3 of 3: How to download the archive
Step 1. Go to your Google account settings page
To do this, go to https://myaccount.google.com/ in your web browser. If you are already logged in, the specified page will open.
If you are not already signed in to your Google account, click the blue Sign In button in the upper right corner, and then enter your email address and password
Step 2. Click Data Management
You will find this option under the Privacy & Personalization section.
If you don't see this option, please scroll down the page
Step 3. Click Download your data
You will find this option in the Download, Uninstall and Scheduling section.
Step 4. Click on Deselect All
It's on the right side of the page.
Step 5. Scroll down and check the box next to "Disk"
Now all files stored on Yandex. Disk will be downloaded to your computer.
To download data from other Google services, check the boxes next to them
Step 6. Scroll down and click Next
You will find this blue button at the bottom of the page.
Step 7. Select the size of the archive
Open the Archive Size menu and select a size that is equal to or greater than the total file size in Google Drive.
If the files in Google Drive are larger than the size you choose from the menu, multiple archives (ZIP files) will be downloaded
Step 8. Click Create Archive
You will find this option at the bottom of the page. Google Drive will begin creating a ZIP file with all of its content.
Step 9. Wait for the archive to be created
This will take a few minutes - do not close the page until the Download button appears on the screen.
Google will also send a link to download the archive to your email address. If you closed the page, open your mailbox and in the letter from Google click "Download archive"
Step 10. Click Download
You will find this blue button in the center of the page to the right of the archive.
Step 11. Enter the password for your Google account
The download of the archive to your computer will start.
Step 12. Wait for the archive to download to your computer
Now unzip the archive to view the files.