Sync Google Drive when not logged in

Question

I have installed Google Drive on Windows Server 2008 R2. When I login to the server, Google Drive starts automatically and synchrnoizes files, pulling changes down from the cloud. All good so far.

However, I would like the sync to run even if I am not logged in. Is there any way to start the sync process automatically, maybe as a scheduled task?

I have other jobs on the server which distribute the files by FTP so I would like the server copies of the files to be up to date.

Solution 1

Have you tried the Task Scheduler?

http://www.nekocreation.com/sync-google-drive-when-not-logged-in/

From above:

Google Drive will only sync your files automatically when you are logged in to your account on Windows. If you want Google Drive to start even before you are logged in to your account, you can add it to Task Scheduler.

1. On Windows 7, go to Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Task Scheduler
2. Click on Create Task…
3. Under General Tab
4. Name: Google Drive Sync
5. Security options: Run whether user is logged on or not
6. Under Triggers Tab
7. Click ‘New…’ button
8. Begin the task: At startup
9. Click ‘OK’ button
10. Under Actions Tab
11. Click ‘New…’ button
12. Click ‘Browse…’ button
13. Locate googledrivesync.exe (By default it is under C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Drive)
14. Click ‘OK’ button
15. Under Settings Tab
16. Uncheck ‘Stop the task if it runs longer …’
17. Click ‘OK’ button to save the task

Solution 2

I believe you would have to run the sync client as a service. To do so, you can use Sc.exe.

I can't test this but the syntax should be something like this (from an elevated command prompt):
sc create GoogleDriveService displayName="Google Drive Service Wrapper" start=auto obj=WINDOWS_USERNAME password=PASSWORD binPath=PATH_TO_GOOGLE_DRIVE_EXECUTABLE

Piece by piece:
sc: creates the service
create: command to create service (see also, delete)
GoogleDriveService: a string you make up to give the service a name
displayName="Google Drive Service Wrapper": string shown under Name column of services.msc
start=auto: start on boot
obj=WINDOWS_USERNAME: Windows account that is syncing with Google Drive
password=PASSWORD
binPath=PATH_TO_GOOGLE_DRIVE_EXECUTABLE

Solution 3

@martin There's a bug in Googledrivesync that disables restarts if the "Start on login" switch is enabled in the preferences panel. That's why it's flashing when you restart it. (I would have put this message in the comment thread where it belongs but don't have the points to do so.)

To use Window's task scheduler to control GoogleDriveSync, disable the auto start option in the app's preference panel.

I specifically don't want GoogleDriveSync running most of the time as it interferes with other scripts that create and delete temporary files in the folders GDS backs up. Rather than rewrite the scripts to use a temporary folder outside of GDS's purview, I use the Task Scheduler to control when GDS does and doesn't run.

Comments

[njr101]

Which executable needs to be executed and with what switches? What will happen to the service if it is waiting for user input? Will it hang or will it continue to sync? Or is it possible to use the correct switches to prevent the executable from raising any user interaction such as the login dialog?

[Louis Waweru]

@njr101 I would look at the shortcut properties to see if any switches are used. As I don't use it, I can't look into much further.

[njr101]

The shortcut includes a /autostart switch but as I say, this can raise user interaction under some circumstances. I realise that converting an app to a service will allow it to run without a logged-in user, but what I specifically need to know is whether there is a supported model for doing this with Google Drive. Even if not officially supported, at least a method someone has tried and can verify works.

[Louis Waweru]

@njr101 can you give an example of a software that runs while a user is not logged in?

[njr101]

SQL Server, IIS, Oracle, etc. These services all run even if there is no interactive Windows user logged in to the console.

[Louis Waweru]

@njr101 but those are also services.

[njr101]

I realise that they are services. And if I could run Google Drive as a service that would be an ideal solution. But the problem is that the executable can raise interactive dialogs - this obviously cannot work if there is no logged in console user - it would be like trying to run Notepad as a service.

[Louis Waweru]

@njr101 ahh, I didn't understand before.

[nixda]

Nice first post. Link seems helpful. what does njr101 say?

[njr101]

Looks like link is broken

[Ex Umbris]

That doesn't seem to work.

[Ex Umbris]

srvany.exe is part of the Microsoft Resource Kit which does not exist for Windows 10.