Google Backup and Sync, the desktop app that synchronizes files with your Google Drive, has an update rolling out that brings a lot of feature improvements and fixes. The new build is version 3.38.7642.3857 for both Windows and MacOS. Given that updates to the app are done in the background, it is possible that you have already received this new update.
Google has laid out all of the changes in this update in the release notes but here are the highlights:
- You can now switch between syncing all files and folders versus photos and videos only. In Backup and Sync Preferences, click Change in the “My Computer” section to choose which files sync.
- You can now ignore files by extension. In the “My Computer” section of Backup and Sync Preferences, click Change
Advanced settings, and then enter the file extensions to ignore. Note that this applies only to directories on your computer, not to the “My Drive” folder. - You can now right-click any folder and select Sync this folder to start syncing that folder to Google Drive.
- Users are now notified when Backup and Sync can’t convert photos to high quality.
- Fixed an issue where multiple copies of the executable were being created in Windows.
- Fixed an issue where quitting Backup and Sync was taking a long time.
- More bug fixes and performance improvements.
As you can see, it is an extensive list that addresses several issues with the app for both Windows and Mac users.
If you want to check to see if you have this new version, you can do so by going to Google Backup and Sync on your computer and going to the overflow menu and About.
Backup & Sync was launched back in July as a replacement for the Google Drive Sync client for both Windows and MacOS. It got off to a rocky start with some users encountering sync issues but has certainly smoothed out in recent months. This new version represents the 4th significant update to the app since its release.
If you want to download the app, you can do so by going to Google Drive Backup and Sync Page.
