Maybe you don't want to use Google Drive anymore or need to reinstall it to fix the problem. Do not worry! Today's article will show you how to remove Google Drive from your Windows PC or Mac.
Google Drive and Backup and Sync
Before the article explains to you how to uninstall Google Drive from your computer, it's worth mentioning that the Google Drive desktop application has a few different names.
Although the app was originally called Google Drive, Google renamed it Backup and Sync in 2017, although the program retains most of the same functionality. A separate application, Google Drive File Streamwhich provides additional tools for business users.
As of 2021, Google has combined all the functions of Google Drive on the desktop into one app, again named Google Drive. Google Drive. Therefore, if you still have the old Backup and Sync application on your computer, the steps to uninstall Backup and Sync may be slightly different.
For best results, update to the modern Google Drive app before continuing.
How to disconnect Google Drive from your computer
Before deleting Google Drive from your computer, you should disconnect the system from your account. This is also a useful step if you don't want to completely delete Google Drive.
To disconnect Google Drive, you will need to open the software. However, searching will not work, because this only helps run the application. Instead, you'll need to click its icon while the app is running.
On Windows, you'll find the familiar green, yellow, blue, and red triangle icon of Google Drive in the system tray at the bottom right of the screen. You may need to click the arrow to display all the icons.
On a Mac, you'll see the same icon in the menu bar at the top of the screen. However, the Google Drive icon doesn't have any color on the macOS app.
If you don't see this icon, Google Drive is not running. To run it on Windows, press the key Windows and enter “Google Drive”then press Enterto launch it. On a Mac, press Cmd + Space to open Spotlightthen enter “Google Drive”then press Return to launch the application. When the application starts, you will see the icon appear.

Regardless of the platform you're using, click this icon to open a panel with information about Google Drive. On there, press the Settings cog, then Preferencesto open the Google Drive options menu.

In the dashboard Preferencesclick the gear icon again Settings. Now, choose Disconnect account. You'll see a warning that any files in Drive, as well as copied files, will remain on your PC but future changes won't sync to Google Drive. Click Disconnect to confirm.

Now, anything you do in your Drive account on other devices won't reflect on your current computer, and changes you make to files in your Drive folder on your computer won't be synced either. ministry elsewhere. You will need to reconnect your Google account in the app to start syncing files again.
How to uninstall Google Drive
Have you decided you don't need Google Drive anymore or want to reinstall the software? Below, how to delete Google Drive on your computer.
Note that deleting the Google Drive app will prevent files from syncing, but it will not delete existing files. You can delete or move them as needed after uninstallation, this will not affect the copies in the cloud.
Uninstall Google Drive on Windows 10
To remove Google Drive from Windows, simply uninstall it like any other program. Open Settings (use keyboard shortcuts Win
+I
) and browse to Apps > Apps & features.
Use the search box or scroll down to find it Google Drive. Click Uninstall and take steps to remove it from your computer. Once completed, you will need to reinstall the application if you want to start syncing files with this computer again. The Google Drive folder will still exist, but it's separated from your account.

In case you get the error Google Drive is still performing operations, you should exit Google Drive before uninstalling it. To do this, click the app's icon in the system tray as described above, then click the settings cog in the resulting menu. In the dialog box that displays, click Quit to stop Google Drive from running. You will then be able to uninstall it without any problems.
Uninstall Google Drive on macOS
The process for removing Google Drive from your Mac is the same as uninstalling any other macOS app. Open Finder and navigate to the folder Applications. If you don't see it on the left sidebar, it's also available in the menu Go or by using keyboard shortcuts Shift
+Cmd
+A
.
Inside Applicationsfind the application Google Drive and pull it in Trash on the Dock, or right-click it and select Move to Trash. This will remove the application from your system.

If your Mac warns you that you need to quit an app first, this is easy to do. Click the Google Drive icon in the menu bar, then tap the settings cog. Then choose Quit from this menu to exit Google Drive. Now, Google Drive will uninstall without difficulty.
How to pause Google Drive
If you just want to stop syncing Google Drive for a short time, you don't need to disconnect or uninstall it. Both the Windows and Mac apps let you pause Google Drive if needed.
To do this, click the icon again Driveas mentioned before. In the menu Settingsselect the option Pause syncing. This will prevent Google Drive from uploading and downloading until you repeat the steps and select Resume syncing. Once you resume, it will sync all changes made while the app was paused.

You can also prevent Google Drive from syncing by selecting Quit from this menu, as mentioned above. When you close the software, it will not sync until you open it again. However, remember that if you have Google Drive set to run on startup, it will automatically run again the next time you turn on your computer.
See how to manage startup items on Windows or how to change startup programs on Mac to keep Drive from running at system startup, if you want.