Google offers a desktop app for Mac and Windows to access files in your Google Drive directly from your computer, without a browser. This app is already installed on most employee PCs and Mac computers.
Occasionally, the app will crash, and needs to be restarted to restore your direct access. Here’s how:
How to restart Google Drive For Desktop in Windows:
- Click the Start button in Windows.
- Find the program called “Google Drive” or “Drive File Stream”.
- Click the program.
- Wait for 20-30 seconds
- Google Drive will reload, and you should regain desktop access to your files.
How to restart Google Drive For Desktop in macOS:
- Open Finder.
- Open your Applications folder.
- Find the app called “Google Drive“.
- Double-click the app.
- Wait for 20-30 seconds.
- Google Drive will reload, and you should regain desktop access to your files.
Remember that even if the desktop app has crashed, you still have access to your files via a web browser. Simply go to drive.google.com. You will need to be logged into your Allegheny account in the browser to access your files.
Read more about using Google Drive for desktop with your Allegheny account.