Google Drive Backup

Google Drive Backup Guide

Purpose: Copy local files from your Windows PC or Mac to Google Drive using a web browser.

Part 1 — Open Google Drive

Use the same steps on Windows and Mac.

  1. Open Chrome, Edge, Safari, Firefox, or another supported browser.
  2. Login to your Nmail.
  3. On the top right corner, click the 9 dots and then click Drive.
  4. In Drive, open My Drive on the left panel.

Part 2 — Create a clearly named backup folder

Recommended: create one top-level folder, then separate folders for each computer.

  1. Click + New (or New), then choose New folder.
  2. Name it something easy to identify, such as Computer Backups.
  3. Open that folder and create a subfolder for the computer, for example Windows-Laptop or MacBook.
  4. Optionally create subfolders such as Documents, Desktop, Pictures, and Projects.

Tip: Add a date to a backup folder if you want to keep separate snapshots, for example Windows-Laptop-2026-10-19.

Part 3 — Find your local files

Windows

  • Open File Explorer (press Windows key + E).
  • Common locations: Documents, Desktop, Downloads, Pictures, and any folders you created yourself.
  • To select several separate files, hold Ctrl while clicking each file. To select a continuous range, click the first file, hold Shift, and click the last.
  • Avoid selecting system folders such as Windows, Program Files, or the entire C: drive for this document backup.

Mac

  • Open Finder.
  • Common locations: Documents, Desktop, Downloads, Pictures, and folders under your user account.
  • To select separate files, hold Command (⌘) while clicking. To select a range, click the first item, hold Shift, and click the last.
  • Avoid copying system folders or the entire Macintosh HD for this document backup.

Part 4 — Upload files to Google Drive

 

Option A: Upload a whole folder

  1. In Google Drive, open the destination folder you created.
  2. Click + New / New, then choose Folder upload.
  3. In the file chooser, browse to the local folder you want to copy and select it.
  4. Confirm the selection. Keep the browser tab open and wait for the upload status to finish.
  5. Repeat for other folders you want to back up.

Option B: Upload selected documents

  1. Open the destination folder in Google Drive.
  2. Click + New / New, then choose File upload.
  3. Select one or more files in the file chooser and click Open (Windows) or Upload/Choose (wording varies on Mac and browser).
  4. Wait for the upload to finish. Repeat as needed.

Important: A manual upload is a copy, not a continuous sync. Changes made to the local file later will not automatically update the Google Drive copy; upload the updated file again.

Part 5 — Verify the backup

  1. Wait until Drive shows that uploads are complete and no upload error is displayed.
  2. Open the destination folder and confirm that expected file names and subfolders are present.
  3. Open a few important files directly from Google Drive to check that they are readable.
  4. For important work, compare the number of files in the local folder with the uploaded folder.
  5. Keep your local originals until the online copies have been checked.

Part 6 — Repeat the backup safely

  • Repeat the process regularly (for example, weekly or after major changes).
  • Upload changed documents again. If Drive asks whether to replace or keep both files, read the prompt carefully and choose the option that matches your backup plan.
  • For dated snapshots, create a new folder for each backup date rather than overwriting the previous backup.
  • A second copy in Drive is useful, but it is not a full computer image or a substitute for a dedicated system backup.

Troubleshooting

Problem

What to try

Upload is slow or stuck

Keep the browser open; check the internet connection; upload smaller batches or folders.

Not enough storage

Check Google account storage and free space or use an account/storage plan with enough capacity.

Folder upload is missing

Try Chrome or another current browser; alternatively create the destination folder and upload files in batches.

Duplicate-name prompt appears

Choose whether to replace the existing file or keep both, based on whether you want a current copy or dated versions.

A file will not upload

Check file size, file name, connection, and whether the file is still open or locked by another application.

Quick checklist

☐ I signed in to the correct Nmail account.

☐ I created a clearly named destination folder.

☐ I selected the local Documents and other intended folders.

☐ I waited for uploads to complete.

☐ I checked file names and opened a few uploaded documents.

☐ I kept the original files on my computer.

Official Google help

Google Drive Help: https://support.google.com/drive/

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