[
    {
        "role": "user",
        "content": "I%20am%20backing%20up%20my%20Doiwnloads%20folder%20to%20google%20Drive.%20the%20folder%20and%20all%20its%20file%20are%20showing%20in%20my%20computer.%20How%20do%20I%20make%20them%20online%20only%20so%20to%20save%20space%20on%20my%20computer%3F"
    },
    {
        "role": "assistant",
        "content": "If you\u2019re using **Google Drive for desktop** (\u201cDrive for desktop\u201d is the newer version that replaced Backup & Sync), you can make your \u201cDownloads\u201d folder (or any folder) **online-only**\u2014so it appears in File Explorer or Finder but doesn\u2019t use much local storage unless you open a file. Here\u2019s how:\n\n---\n\n### \ud83d\udd04 Step 1: Confirm you're using \u201cStreaming\u201d mode\n\nYou need to switch Drive for desktop to **Stream** mode so that files stay in the cloud and are only downloaded locally when needed. In **Mirror** mode everything is stored both locally and in the cloud, which uses more hard drive space. ([support.google.com](https://support.google.com/drive/answer/13401938?hl=en&utm_source=openai))\n\n**How to set streaming mode:**\n\n1. Open Google Drive for desktop (look for its icon in the system tray / menu bar).\n2. Go to **Settings \u2192 Preferences**.\n3. On the left, go to \u201cFolders from Drive\u201d or \u201cMy Drive syncing options.\u201d\n4. Select **Stream files** instead of Mirror. ([support.google.com](https://support.google.com/drive/answer/16631477?hl=en-419&utm_source=openai))\n\nOnce streaming is enabled, all your My Drive files will show up in a virtual drive (Windows) or a virtual volume (macOS), and they\u2019ll take up very little space locally\u2014just like placeholders\u2014unless you open them or mark them to be available offline.\n\n---\n\n### \ud83d\udcc2 Step 2: Make existing files & folders \u201conline-only\u201d\n\nIf you already have files (like your Downloads folder) backed up or mirrored locally and want to free up space, you can change individual files or folders to online-only so they don\u2019t occupy space on your computer.\n\nHere\u2019s how based on your operating system:\n\n| Operating System | What to Do |\n|------------------|------------|\n| **Windows** | 1. Open File Explorer and find the file/folder under your Google Drive area. <br>2. Right-click the item. <br>3. Choose **Show more options** (if \u201cOffline access\u201d isn\u2019t shown), then go to **Offline access \u2192 Online only**. ([stolafcarleton.teamdynamix.com](https://stolafcarleton.teamdynamix.com/TDClient/2092/Carleton/KB/PrintArticle?ID=160387&utm_source=openai)) |\n| **macOS** | 1. Open Finder and locate the file/folder in Google Drive. <br>2. Right-click it. <br>3. Choose **Make available online only**. ([stolafcarleton.teamdynamix.com](https://stolafcarleton.teamdynamix.com/TDClient/2092/Carleton/KB/PrintArticle?ID=160387&utm_source=openai)) |\n\n---\n\n### \u26a0\ufe0f Important notes & tips\n\n- **Dont\u2019t delete anything locally until you\u2019re sure it\u2019s fully uploaded** to the cloud. If files haven\u2019t synced yet and you remove them locally, you could lose data. ([support.google.com](https://support.google.com/drive/answer/16631477?hl=en-419&utm_source=openai))  \n- **\u201cOffline available\u201d files** will still use local space. Only items you haven\u2019t opened / haven\u2019t manually made available offline will keep space usage minimal. ([support.google.com](https://support.google.com/drive/answer/13401938?hl=en&utm_source=openai))  \n- Shared Drives and certain folders (e.g. in \u201cFolders from your computer\u201d) are always mirrored; you can\u2019t make those online-only. ([support.google.com](https://support.google.com/drive/answer/13401938?hl=en&utm_source=openai))  \n\n---\n\nIf you want, I can walk you through exactly how to do this on *your* computer (Windows or Mac), step-by-step. Do you want that?"
    }
]