Google Drive Streaming vs Mirroring: Storage and Offline Access
Streaming displays My Drive in a virtual drive and retrieves it when needed. Mirroring places a complete copy on the cloud and on your PC.
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Who this guide is for and what to prepare
- People who want to know the difference between Google Drive for desktop
- People who want to start with a small, safe test
What you need
- Make a test copy leaving the original data
- Check the compatibility conditions and storage location of the destination
Comparison criteria
Streaming displays My Drive in a virtual drive and retrieves it when needed. Mirroring places a complete copy on the cloud and on your PC.
Scroll horizontally to see the full table →
| standard | Streaming | Mirroring |
|---|---|---|
| PC capacity | Focus on necessary amount | whole portion |
| place | virtual drive | normal folder |
| off-line | Individual designation | whole |
Choosing for your situation
Streaming if you have a small capacity SSD and a stable connection. If you need a normal path to use your entire drive offline, mirroring is the way to go.
There is a difference in that Shared Drive allows you to choose streaming only, while My Drive allows you to choose both. Streaming is practical with small capacity SSDs and multiple accounts. Mirroring is a good option if you want to edit a lot of videos or use all files as a regular folder even when Drive for desktop is stopped. When switching, the file location will change, and data loss will occur unless you confirm synchronization is complete and the cloud exists before deleting the mirror folder.
First steps to try
Specify the test document offline, disconnect the line, and open it. Also see the synchronization after reconnecting. Check the total amount and free space before changing the method.
- Open [Settings] → [Basic Settings] from the Drive for desktop gear.
- Show My Drive sync options in Google Drive or Google Drive Folders
- Right-click the streaming exam file and select [Available offline] to disconnect and open.
- Before changing to mirroring, check the total size of my drive, storage location, and local free space.
- After changing the method, wait for synchronization to complete, then check the difference with the same name, the location of the shared drive, and the reflection of offline edits.
Operational notes
In both cases, deletions and overwrites are reflected in synchronization. Check for completion before canceling, and save important data to a separate medium.
Limitations and requirements
- Mirroring requires sufficient space
- Do not consider synchronization as an independent backup
Frequently asked questions
Is only part offline?
You can also specify individual settings for streaming.
If it is a mirror, can it be deleted and restored?
Deletions are also synchronized, so a separate backup is required.
Official sources and verification date
Sources checked: . Check the official sources below for changes to supported systems, plans and menus.