How to Fix Google Drive Disappeared From File Explorer

Google Drive Disappeared From File Explorer

Google Drive is a file storage and synchronization service from Google that allows you to store files online and access them from any device at any time using the cloud. The desktop version of Google Drive enables you to quickly access and edit files through File Explorer. However, many users are troubled by the “Google Drive not showing up in File Explorer” issue.

“Hello. I cannot get Google Drive for Desktop to show up in File Explorer on my PC running Windows 11. (I also have a laptop running Win 11 and it works fine on that). I have tried everything I can think of which includes totally uninstalling the software and downloading it and installing again.”support.google.com

Now, you can implement the following solutions to get this problem resolved.

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How to Get Google Drive to Show up in File Explorer

Solution 1. Make Sure Google Drive for Desktop Is Running

If Google Drive quits unexpectedly, it won’t show up in File Explorer. So, the first troubleshooting step is to check if Google Drive is running.

On the taskbar, right-click on the Windows logo button and select Task Manager.

Under Processes, make sure the Google Drive process is running. If not, you need to double-click on the Google Drive icon on your desktop to launch it, and then check if it is displayed in File Explorer.

Solution 2. Pin the Google Drive Folder to Quick Access

If Google Drive still does not show up in File Explorer, you can address the issue by manually pinning the Google Drive folder to Quick Access.

In File Explorer, navigate to this location: C:\Users\username. Next, find and right-click Google Drive Streaming and select the Pin to Quick access option from the context menu.

After that, you should see the Google Drive folder in File Explorer Quick Access.

Solution 3. Stream Google Drive Files to a Virtual Drive

Alternatively, you can make Google Drive be displayed as a virtual drive in the This PC section in File Explorer. The steps are as follows.

Step 1. On your taskbar, click the Google Drive icon, then click the Settings icon > Preferences.

Step 2. In the Google Drive Preferences window, click Settings.

Step 3. In the new window, choose the Drive letter option under Google Drive streaming location. Then choose a Google Drive drive letter from the drop-down menu. Besides, tick or uncheck the Show Google Drive in Quick Access in File Explorer option based on your own needs.

Step 4. Click Save. Next, click Restart now, and restart Google Drive. After that, the Google Drive folder will be displayed as a virtual drive located in the This PC section in Windows Explorer.

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Solution 4. Clear Google Drive for Desktop Cache and Reinstall Drive

The last way to resolve the “Google Drive disappeared from File Explorer” issue is to reinstall Google Drive. Before doing so, you need to clear Drive for desktop cache.

Step 1. Make sure there are no uploads in progress, and then quit Google Drive.

Step 2. In File Explorer, navigate to this location: C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Google. Next, move the DriveFS folder to your desktop.

Step 3. Uninstall Google Drive from the Control Panel and reinstall it. If everything runs fine after reinstalling Google Drive, you can delete the DriveFS folder on the desktop.

Another Professional File Synchronization Tool

Apart from Google Drive, you can opt for other file synchronization software to sync files. For instance, you can use MiniTool ShadowMaker. It can effectively synchronize open files and folders to other locations so that you can effectively keep your data safe.

MiniTool ShadowMaker serves not only as a file synchronization tool but also as professional data backup software that helps back up files/folders, partitions/disks, and systems. With this software, you can rescue your files in various situations, such as human error, ransomware attacks, natural disasters, hard drive failure, system crashes, etc.

You can get the Trial Edition of MiniTool ShadowMaker installed and enjoy most of its features for free within 30 days.

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Related post: Google Drive VS Dropbox: Which Is Your Best File Storage Choice

Further Reading:

If your files are missing without backups, MiniTool Power Data Recovery can assist you in recovering files. It is the best data recovery software that is effective in recovering photos, videos, audio files, PPTs, Word documents, Excel files, and other types of files. You can first try its free edition to check if it can find the needed items and recover 1 GB of files for free.

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Verdict

In a word, this post describes how to get Google Drive to show up in File Explorer and introduces a Google Drive alternative for file synchronization.

If you need any help from the MiniTool Software support team, please contact [email protected].