Google is replacing it's Backup and Sync program (and Drive File Stream for enterprise user) with Drive. Some may remember prior 2018, that is the program name before it is being replaced by Backup and Sync (and Drive File Stream for enterprise user). So Google have done full circle with Drive now.
Anyways, what I'm most interested is that now it support (as Google called it) stream files. Now files can be cleared from device to free up space but downloaded whenever I need it. Something that Microsoft OneDrive already have for very long time. Even Synology Drive have the same function. This is a very useful function on my laptop with limited bandwidth when I'm on the move, as I don't need all files that newly edited on my PC to be downloaded into my laptop since the files will not be accessed in laptop.
After installing the new Drive, I realized Google implement it very differently than how Microsoft and Synology implement theirs. You either choose to stream files + make some available offline, or mirror files. I guess it makes sense if you consider it as Google taking 2 programs and joint it as 1 program.
Mirror files option work like how Backup and Sync work. Everything is mirrored. You can't free up space, you can't even browse previous version. Right click on files give you little option, this is on .docx file
Stream files is where the new stuff is. All files will not be available offline unless you select which files you choose to have it available offline. Opening a file, it won't keep an offline copy like how MS OneDrive and Synology Drive does it. There's no free up space. Ok, it treat it differently, not an issue. If I want it to keep a copy, I can select to make it available offline.
The other thing I like about cloud storage is Versioning. You can revert back to earlier version of your files in case when needed. MS OneDrive the only one that implement it the best way, you're given a list of earlier version (with date and size) and can choose to restore or download. Synology Drive same can see list of earlier version (but only with date) and only have option to download any version that you want. Google Drive on the other hand open file explorer to show the version list, with added numbering before the filename. I guess still have to stick with Drive on web browser to restore file version.
One useful thing it added is now you can see if someone else is editing Microsoft Office files, so you'll know when it is safe to edit.
One annoying thing for me with this new Drive is, it will add as drive letter in This PC. Something that I don't find it as necessary, maybe Google want to remind how many (cloud) space used and remaining free space. Another annoying thing Drive will do is after restart or boot, it will add the drive shortcut to Quick Access. There's no option in Drive to stop it from doing this every time. I end up denying current user's write permission to Quick Access.
The taskbar icon also no more black and white icon, which previously look great BTW with my dark taskbar. Now it's the ugly square icon with triangle inside. There's no option to change the icon. When files being updated, it give a very light, hard to notice, white hue circling inside the square. Look how ugly is that icon.
Google Drive for desktop rant, Backup and Sync replacement