googledrivesync.exe

Google Drive / Google Drive for Desktop

Application Process Safe Cloud Storage / File Sync

CPU Usage

2-15%

Memory

100-500 MB

Location

Program Files

Publisher

Google LLC

Quick Answer

googledrivesync.exe is safe. It's the older Google Drive sync client that synchronizes files between your computer and Google Drive cloud storage. It has been replaced by "Google Drive for Desktop" (googledrivefs.exe) but may still be running on older installations.

Is it a Virus?

✔ NO - Safe

Legitimate Google LLC application

Warning

Legacy Application

Replaced by Google Drive for Desktop

Can I Disable?

✔ YES

Files won't sync to cloud when disabled

What is googledrivesync.exe?

googledrivesync.exe is the legacy synchronization client for Google Drive, Google's cloud storage service. This process automatically syncs files and folders between your computer and your Google Drive cloud storage, ensuring that changes made locally are uploaded to the cloud and vice versa.

Google has replaced this older "Backup and Sync" application with the newer "Google Drive for Desktop" (which uses googledrivefs.exe instead). If you're still seeing googledrivesync.exe, you're likely running an older version of the Google Drive client. The new version offers better performance, more features, and improved integration with Windows File Explorer.

Quick Fact: Google Drive is used by over 1 billion users worldwide and integrates seamlessly with Google Workspace (Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Slides) for collaboration and cloud storage up to 15GB free or more with paid plans.

Is googledrivesync.exe Safe?

Yes, googledrivesync.exe is safe when it's the genuine Google Drive application published by Google LLC and located in the correct directory.

Is googledrivesync.exe a Virus or Malware?

The real googledrivesync.exe is NOT a virus. It's a legitimate application from Google that millions of users rely on for cloud storage and file synchronization. However, malware can disguise itself with similar names, so verification is important.

How to Tell if googledrivesync.exe is Legitimate or Malware

File Location: Must be in C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Drive\ or C:\Users\[YourName]\AppData\Local\Google\Drive\. Any googledrivesync.exe elsewhere is suspicious.
Digital Signature: Should show "Google LLC" as the publisher with a valid digital signature.
Resource Usage: Normal usage is 2-15% CPU when syncing and 100-500 MB RAM. Constant 100% CPU usage with no sync activity is suspicious.
Behavior: Should only use significant disk/network when actively syncing files. Silent operation when idle is normal.

Red Flags:

googledrivesync.exe located in Windows\System32, Temp, or Downloads folders
No Google LLC digital signature or unsigned file
Excessive CPU usage (100%) when no files are being synced
High network activity to non-Google servers
Running multiple instances of the same process
File size significantly different from the legitimate version (~10-30 MB)

Why Is googledrivesync.exe Running on My PC?

googledrivesync.exe runs automatically because you have Google Drive (or "Backup and Sync") installed on your computer and it's configured to start with Windows to keep your files synchronized with the cloud.

Reasons it's running:

Automatic Startup: Google Drive is set to launch at Windows startup to ensure continuous file synchronization.
Active File Sync: The process is actively uploading or downloading files between your computer and Google Drive cloud storage.
Background Monitoring: Even when idle, it monitors your Google Drive folder for changes to immediately sync new or modified files.
Real-time Updates: Detects when files change in the cloud and downloads updates to keep your local copy current.
System Tray Presence: Runs in the background to provide quick access through the system tray icon for managing sync settings.

Can I Disable or Remove googledrivesync.exe?

Yes, you can disable or remove googledrivesync.exe. Google Drive sync is optional software, and disabling it won't harm your operating system. However, your files will no longer sync automatically to the cloud.

Consequences of Disabling

❌ Files won't automatically back up to Google Drive cloud
❌ Changes made on other devices won't sync to this PC
❌ No automatic cloud backup protection
❌ Files stored only locally (risk of data loss if PC fails)
✔ You can still access Google Drive through the web browser at drive.google.com

Note: Disabling Google Drive sync doesn't delete your cloud files. They remain safely stored in your Google Drive account and accessible via web browser or mobile apps.

How to Disable googledrivesync.exe

Method 1: Disable Autostart

Right-click the Google Drive icon in the system tray (near the clock)
Click the Settings (gear) icon
Go to "Preferences" or "Settings"
Uncheck "Start Google Drive on system startup"
Close Google Drive to stop the current process

Method 2: Uninstall Google Drive

Press Windows + I to open Settings
Go to "Apps" → "Apps & features"
Find "Google Drive" or "Backup and Sync from Google"
Click "Uninstall" and confirm

Method 3: Disable via Task Manager (Temporary)

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager
Go to the "Startup" tab
Find "GoogleDriveSync" or "Google Drive"
Right-click and select "Disable"
Restart your computer

What You CAN Do Instead

✔ Use Google Drive web interface (drive.google.com) for manual file access
✔ Upgrade to "Google Drive for Desktop" for better performance
✔ Schedule sync times by manually starting/stopping the application
✔ Use selective sync to only sync specific folders (reduces resource usage)
✔ Switch to alternative cloud storage (OneDrive, Dropbox, etc.)

Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage

If googledrivesync.exe is consuming excessive resources, it's usually due to large file syncing or conflicts. Here's how to resolve it:

Common Causes & Solutions

Large File Upload/Download: Syncing big files (videos, backups) uses high resources → Wait for sync to complete or pause sync temporarily
Many Small Files: Thousands of small files take longer to process → Consider archiving small files into ZIP before uploading
Sync Conflicts: Files changed on multiple devices at once → Manually resolve conflicts in the Google Drive folder
Insufficient Bandwidth: Slow internet causes prolonged high resource usage → Limit upload/download rates in Google Drive settings
Corrupted Cache: Damaged sync cache files → Clear Google Drive cache or reinstall the application
Outdated Version: Old version has performance issues → Update to Google Drive for Desktop

Quick Fixes:
1. Pause Sync: Right-click system tray icon → Pause syncing → Resume when ready
2. Selective Sync: Settings → Only sync specific folders instead of everything
3. Limit Bandwidth: Settings → Network → Limit upload/download speed to 50-70% of your internet speed
4. Restart Process: Exit Google Drive completely and reopen it
5. Upgrade: Migrate to "Google Drive for Desktop" for much better performance

How to Check What's Being Synced

Click the Google Drive icon in the system tray
View current sync activity and file queue
See which files are uploading or downloading
Pause individual file syncs if needed

Frequently Asked Questions

Is googledrivesync.exe a virus?

No, googledrivesync.exe is NOT a virus. It's a legitimate process from Google LLC for syncing files with Google Drive cloud storage. Verify it's genuine by checking the file location (must be in Program Files\Google\Drive or AppData\Local\Google\Drive) and digital signature (should show Google LLC). If the file is located elsewhere or has no signature, run a full antivirus scan.

Why is googledrivesync.exe using so much CPU?

High CPU usage is normal when Google Drive is actively syncing large files or many files at once. Check the system tray icon to see what's being synced. If CPU stays at 100% with no sync activity, try: (1) Pausing and resuming sync, (2) Restarting the application, (3) Limiting bandwidth in settings, or (4) Updating to Google Drive for Desktop which has better performance.

Can I delete googledrivesync.exe?

Yes, you can safely uninstall Google Drive and delete googledrivesync.exe. Your files in Google Drive cloud won't be deleted—they'll remain accessible through the web browser at drive.google.com or mobile apps. Only the local desktop sync application is removed. However, automatic syncing and offline access to cloud files will stop working until you reinstall the application.

Can I disable googledrivesync.exe?

Yes, you can disable googledrivesync.exe by: (1) Right-clicking the Google Drive system tray icon and quitting the application, (2) Disabling it from Task Manager startup tab, or (3) Uninstalling Google Drive entirely. Files will no longer sync automatically, but you can still access Google Drive through your web browser.

Why is googledrivesync.exe running at startup?

Google Drive is configured to start automatically with Windows so your files sync immediately when you turn on your computer. This ensures you always have the latest versions of your files and that changes are backed up to the cloud. You can disable autostart in Google Drive settings under Preferences or through Task Manager's Startup tab.

What's the difference between googledrivesync.exe and googledrivefs.exe?

googledrivesync.exe is the older "Backup and Sync" client, while googledrivefs.exe is the newer "Google Drive for Desktop" application. The new version offers better performance, streaming files on-demand (saving disk space), better Google Workspace integration, and more efficient syncing. Google recommends migrating to Google Drive for Desktop. If you're still using googledrivesync.exe, consider upgrading.

How much RAM does googledrivesync.exe use?

Normal RAM usage is 100-500 MB depending on the number of files being synced and folder size. During initial sync or when syncing thousands of files, it may temporarily use more. If it consistently uses over 1 GB, try: (1) Using selective sync to reduce monitored folders, (2) Clearing the sync cache, or (3) Upgrading to Google Drive for Desktop which is more memory-efficient.