Before switching Google Drive My Drive from mirroring to streaming, verify that local changes reached the cloud. The old mirror folder can stop syncing after the change, so deleting it too early can destroy work that never uploaded.
Reconcile the mirror first
Save open files and inspect Sync status and errors. Compare important recent changes with the correct web account. Preserve any unresolved local content in an approved independent location rather than assuming the cloud is complete.
Note the current mirror path and any application shortcuts that depend on it. Distinguish actual local files from native Google document entries and unrelated project folders.
Choose streaming through preferences
Open Drive for desktop preferences, locate My Drive syncing options, and select Stream files. Follow the current app’s confirmation and restart instructions. Your active My Drive location changes to the streamed arrangement.
Google states that the former mirrored folder no longer synchronizes after this transition. Its continued presence in File Explorer or Finder does not mean it remains the current cloud working location.
Verify before considering cleanup
Open the active streamed location and representative cloud originals. Check that important project links and applications use the intended files. Mark required streamed binary files available offline and configure Google editor offline access separately when needed. There is no need to delete the old mirror during diagnosis. If later cleanup is authorized, first reconcile its contents and follow the platform-specific official procedure, including quitting the app where required. Keep independent backups and unresolved edits intact. A successful mode toggle is not proof that every previous local file had synchronized.
References
Reviewed against the linked official product guidance on November 3, 2026. Features, limits, screen labels, and access can vary by account, platform, region, and organization policy.