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Short answer: Microsoft Intune can still show a Google Backup and Sync package in the Enterprise App Catalog, but Backup and Sync is legacy software. For a new deployment, use the catalog entry for Google Drive or Google Drive for desktop after validating its current metadata. The HTMD Blog walkthrough published on November 20, 2024 remains useful as an example of the Intune workflow, not as confirmation that Backup and Sync is Google’s current desktop client.
Google replaced Backup and Sync with Drive for desktop. Google’s current documentation covers Drive for desktop, including its streaming and mirroring modes: Google Drive for desktop.
What the HTMD guide actually deployed
The original article, How to Install Google Backup and Sync App with Intune Using Enterprise App Catalog App, documented this path in the Intune admin center:
- Apps > All apps > Add.
- Choose Enterprise App Catalog app, then Select.
- Search for Google Backup and Sync.
- Review the catalog metadata, commands, requirements and detection rules.
- Assign the app to a Microsoft Entra group.
- Create the app and monitor its deployment.
That workflow is still the important lesson. Catalog availability is not the same as vendor support: Microsoft’s catalog can retain older packages and currently lists Google Backup and Sync alongside Google Drive and Google Drive File Stream. See Microsoft’s Enterprise App Management documentation.
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Backup and Sync versus Drive for desktop
- Backup and Sync: the discontinued Google Windows and macOS client.
- Google Drive for desktop: Google’s current desktop client and successor.
- Google Drive File Stream: the older enterprise name that preceded Drive for desktop.
- Enterprise App Catalog app: a Microsoft-prepared Win32 package delivered through Intune and installed by the Intune Management Extension.
Do not assume the two Google clients behave identically. Drive for desktop supports cloud streaming (files remain mostly online) and mirroring (a complete local copy). Google explains the differences at Streaming and mirroring files.
Prerequisites
- An Intune tenant in a supported cloud environment.
- Intune Plan 1 or Plan 2 plus the Enterprise App Management subscription or entitlement.
- Windows devices enrolled in, or otherwise managed by, Intune.
- A Microsoft Entra security or user group for pilot and production assignments.
- Network access to Microsoft-hosted catalog content and the vendor endpoints required after installation.
- Representative pilot devices, with the target Windows architecture and operating-system version.
- For Drive for desktop, a 64-bit supported Windows release and Microsoft WebView2. Google’s requirements are listed at Drive for desktop system requirements.
Microsoft hosts prepared catalog content, but does not guarantee that every application is authentic, authorized, compliant or appropriate for your organization. Validate the package and its behavior before broad assignment.
Deploy the current Google package
Portal labels can change slightly. The following sequence reflects the current Enterprise App Catalog workflow.
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- Sign in to the Microsoft Intune admin center.
- Open Apps, choose All apps, and select Add.
- Select Enterprise App Catalog app, then Select.
- Choose Search the Enterprise App Catalog.
- Search for Google Drive or Google Drive for desktop. If a legacy exception requires Backup and Sync, search for that exact entry.
- Select the package and review App information.
- Review Program settings, including install and uninstall commands, timeout, restart behavior, return codes and install context.
- Review Requirements, including operating-system version and architecture.
- Review Detection rules. Keep the catalog rules unless testing shows a documented problem.
- Apply Scope tags if your administration model uses them.
- Configure Assignments, starting with a pilot group.
- Review the summary and choose Create or Add app, depending on the portal wording.
The catalog can prepopulate commands, requirements, detection, installation time, uninstall availability, return codes and restart behavior. Microsoft permits changes, but changing a working rule without testing can create false installation states or repeated reinstallations.
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The HTMD article recorded these values on November 20, 2024. They describe that article’s catalog record, not a current universal package. Always use the values displayed by your own tenant.
| Setting | Historical value |
|---|---|
| Catalog name | Backup and Sync |
| Language | en-US |
| Architecture | x86 and x64 |
| Version | 3.56.3802.7766 |
| MSI | gsync_enterprise.msi |
| Install command | %SystemRoot%System32msiexec.exe /i "gsync_enterprise.msi" /qn |
| Uninstall command | %SystemRoot%System32msiexec.exe /X {B96AEFEE-3869-4E4D-BD35-EC9961BD333D} /qn |
| Installation time | 60 minutes |
| Allow user uninstall | Yes |
Do not paste these commands into a different package or manually obtained MSI. File names, product codes, context and detection rules can change.
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- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Choose an assignment strategy
| Assignment | Effect | Use case |
|---|---|---|
| Required | Installs automatically for targeted users or devices. | Business-critical software on managed corporate devices. |
| Available for enrolled devices | User starts installation from Company Portal. | Optional software or staged adoption. |
| Uninstall | Removes the app from targeted devices. | Retirement or migration, after synchronization is verified. |
Use a pilot group first. Add exclusions for devices that already contain Drive for desktop, Backup and Sync, Drive File Stream or another synchronization client. Use supersedence, migration scripts or staged replacement instead of installing competing Google clients side by side.
Validate more than the Intune install state
- In Intune, check the device install status and the Managed Apps report for intent, version and state.
- In Company Portal, confirm whether the app is installed or available.
- On the device, verify the installed product and version.
- Launch the Google client and test sign-in with an allowed Google Workspace account.
- Confirm the intended folders or shared drives synchronize.
- Check local disk consumption, proxy and firewall behavior, and endpoint-security or data-loss-prevention controls.
- Confirm that no competing sync process is active.
An installed MSI does not configure Google Workspace policy, authentication, folder selection or a recovery plan. Synchronization is not the same as backup: deletions, corruption and unwanted changes can propagate.
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Streaming, mirroring and storage decisions
Streaming
Most content remains in Google’s cloud and local storage is used as files are opened. This reduces disk usage but depends more heavily on connectivity and local cache behavior.
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- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Mirroring
A full local copy is maintained and files are available offline, at the cost of substantially greater disk usage. Google warns that changing modes changes file locations; allow synchronization to finish before moving or deleting mirrored folders.
When a legacy Backup and Sync entry is unavoidable
- Document the application or workflow that requires the legacy client.
- Confirm the package currently offered in your tenant and record its version, commands and detection method.
- Test it on every target Windows build and with representative accounts and data.
- Set an end-of-life date and migration owner.
- Inventory existing synchronized folders before replacing or removing the client.
Do not deploy it merely because the catalog search returns a result. Google’s supported desktop direction is Drive for desktop. Google also states that Drive for desktop stopped supporting Google Photos backup on August 10, 2026; see Drive for desktop settings.
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The app is missing
Check licensing, cloud environment, catalog availability and renamed entries such as Google Drive. If the package is unavailable, do not reuse old commands unless you have separately obtained and validated the MSI.
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The app remains “Not installed”
- Check Intune Management Extension logs and the last device check-in.
- Verify group targeting, filters, applicability, OS and architecture requirements.
- Check for an existing product installation and detection-rule results.
- Review MSI exit codes and download access to Microsoft-hosted content.
- If catalog content remains stuck in preparation for several hours, Microsoft recommends deleting and recreating the app.
Installation succeeds but the client does not work
Investigate Google Workspace sign-in restrictions, account type, proxy or firewall rules, WebView2, folder permissions, local capacity and user-versus-system configuration. Company Portal can report a successful deployment while authentication or synchronization still fails.
Unexpected file changes or data loss risk
Do not delete local folders until synchronization is confirmed. Validate streaming or mirroring mode, conflict behavior and retention requirements before migration.
Which platform fits the wider requirement?
| Option | Best fit | Limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Google Drive for desktop | Google Workspace organizations needing current desktop access. | Not a complete endpoint-backup and recovery system. |
| Microsoft OneDrive | Microsoft 365, Entra ID, SharePoint and Intune environments. | Introduces Microsoft storage and identity dependencies for Google-first organizations. |
| Dropbox Business | Cross-platform file synchronization and collaboration. | Less native Microsoft 365 integration. |
| Box | Governed enterprise content sharing and collaboration. | May exceed the needs of a simple drive replacement. |
| Druva inSync | Retention, recovery and compliance-focused endpoint protection. | Not intended merely as a mounted collaboration drive. |
Official product information: Intune, Google Drive for desktop, OneDrive, Dropbox, Box and Druva inSync.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still deploy Google Backup and Sync from Intune?
Your tenant may still expose the legacy catalog entry, but its presence does not establish current Google support. Use it only for a documented compatibility exception and prefer Google Drive for desktop for new deployments.
Does installing the MSI configure Google Drive automatically?
No. Intune installs the application. Sign-in, Workspace policies, synchronization mode, folder selection and storage controls require separate validation and configuration.
Is Google Drive synchronization a backup?
No. Synchronization can propagate deletions or corruption. Use a dedicated backup and retention product when recovery requirements exceed ordinary file access.
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