Choose what syncs to your computer

https://support.google.com/drive/answer/2375083?hl=en

Turn off sync for Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides

Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms, Drawings, and Fusion Tables that you own will sync to your Google Drive folder. To turn off sync, follow these steps:

1. Click on the Google Drive icon.
   • On a Mac, the icon is usually found in the menu bar at the top right of your desktop screen.
   • On a PC, the icon is usually found in the taskbar in the bottom right of your desktop screen.
2. Select Preferences.
3. Uncheck the box next to "Only sync some folders to this computer."
4. Click Apply changes.

Sync all of "My Drive" or individual folders

Everything in "My Drive" will sync to your Google Drive folder, unless you choose to sync individual folders. Here's how to sync individual folders:

1. Organize your files into folders that you plan to sync.
2. Click the Google Drive icon.
   • On a Mac, the icon is usually found in the menu bar at the top right of your desktop screen.
   • On a PC, the icon is usually found in the taskbar in the bottom right of your desktop screen.
3. Select Preferences.
4. Check the box next to "Only sync some folders to this computer."
5. Select which folders you'd like to sync to your Google Drive folder.
6. Click Apply changes.

Sync items in "Incoming" or "Shared with me"

All files and folders that others have shared with you won't sync to the Google Drive folder on your computer, unless you add them to "My Drive" or to the individual folders that you've synced.

1. Make sure you're connected to the Internet
2. Click on the Google Drive icon.
   • On a Mac, the icon is usually found in the menu bar at the top right of your desktop screen.
   • On a PC, the icon is usually found in the taskbar in the bottom right of your desktop screen.
3. Select Preferences.
4. Click Visit Shared with me. You'll be taken to "Incoming" or "Shared with me" in Google Drive on the web.
5. Drag and drop files and folders from "Incoming" or "Shared with me" into "My Drive" or individual folders that you've synced.

Any change that you make to a shared file or folder – on the web or on your computer – will sync and update your collaborators' copies as well. Learn more about syncing shared files.