How to Specify Google Drive Sync Folders (NOT as a Windows Cache)

[Btmacdou]

I have two computers in my office.   Both are current and updated versions of Windows 10.

One of them has been running Windows 10 and Google drive for years.    On this computer, the drive sync folder is just a standard folder in my C drive:  "C:\Users\*username*\Google Drive".  The files are also given a drive letter by Drive for Desktop (G:).

Importantly, this folder can be accessed with Windows Explorer even when Drive for Desktop is NOT running.

On my other computer, I'm also running Windows 10, but its a much more recent build, and I setup Drive for Desktop only this year (2023).  

Now, even though the version of Drive for Desktop is the same on both computers, the sync folder on the newer build is not stored in a standard folder on the C drive.  It's stored in a hidden Windows cache file and is visible ONLY when Drive for Desktop is running.

I want both computers to store ALL files in the same, visible folder on the C drive (or wherever I decide to put them) and not in an encrypted cache.  I don't care about "online only" viewing, or "streaming" files from the cloud.  I have plenty of storage on both machines for my entire drive and I want them both to synchronize the entire drive with the online folders all the time.  And I want to be able to access the files at any time, even when Google drive is not running, or even if the drive has been pulled from the computer and attached to a new machine for transfer.

Is there a trick to accomplish this, or is Google bound and determined to prevent me from storing files where I want them and in an accessible format?

Thank you!

[JamezK]

This is a reasonable request and it's sad that in the TWO YEARS since it's been asked there hasn't been a single response.

[KAM]

@JamezK This is a community of fellow admins.  

Having looked at your issue, the google drive for desktop storing data in a local cache directory that requires the Drive for Desktop application to be running is expected behavior.

I would guess on the old machine you ran Drive Backup & Sync, perhaps and upgraded?  Or that one is in mirror and the other is in stream mode perhaps?  

HTH, KAM