Google Drive Silent Install (How-To Guide)

Google Drive allows you to stream files and folders from the cloud to your PC freeing up disk space and network bandwidth. This article will serve as an informative guide and give you a clear understanding of how to perform a silent installation of Google Drive from the command line using the EXE installer.

How to Install Google Drive Silently

Google Drive Silent Install (EXE)

  1. Navigate to: https://dl.google.com/drive-file-stream/GoogleDrive.exe
  2. Download the GoogleDrive.exe to a folder created at (C:\Downloads)
  3. Open an Elevated Command Prompt by Right-Clicking on Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator
  4. Navigate to the C:\Downloads folder
  5. Enter the following commands:
GoogleDrive.exe --silent
TASKKILL /F /IM GoogleDriveFS.exe

After a few moments you should see the GSuite Desktop Shortcuts appear. You will also find entries in the Start Menu, Installation Directory, and Programs and Features in the Control Panel.

Software Title:Google Drive
Vendor:Google, Inc.
Architecture:x86_x64
Installer Type:EXE
Silent Install Switch (Step 1)GoogleDrive.exe --silent
Silent Install Switch (Step 2)TASKKILL /F /IM GoogleDriveFS.exe
Silent Uninstall Switch:"%ProgramFiles%\Google\Drive File Stream\w.x.y.z\uninstall.exe" --silent --force_stop
Download Link:https://dl.google.com/drive-file-stream/GoogleDrive.exe
PowerShell Script:https://silentinstallhq.com/google-drive-install-and-uninstall-powershell/
Detection Script:https://silentinstallhq.com/create-a-custom-detection-script-for-google-drive-powershell/

The information above provides a quick overview of the software title, vendor, silent install, and silent uninstall switches. The download links provided take you directly to the vendors website. Continue reading if you are interested in additional details and configurations.


Additional Configurations

Include Google Drive Desktop Shortcut

GoogleDrive.exe --silent --desktop_shortcut=true
TASKKILL /F /IM GoogleDriveFS.exe

Exclude GSuite Desktop Shortcuts

GoogleDrive.exe --silent --gsuite_shortcuts=false
TASKKILL /F /IM GoogleDriveFS.exe

How to Uninstall Google Drive Silently

Check out the following posts for a scripted solution:

Google Drive Install and Uninstall (PowerShell)
Google Drive Silent Uninstall (PowerShell)
  1. Open an Elevated Command Prompt by Right-Clicking on Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator
  2. Enter the following command:

Google Drive Silent Uninstall (EXE)

"%ProgramFiles%\Google\Drive File Stream\w.x.y.z\uninstall.exe" --silent --force_stop

Always make sure to test everything in a development environment prior to implementing anything into production. The information in this article is provided “As Is” without warranty of any kind.

Jason Bergner

I am an accomplished Software Engineer at Patch My PC, leveraging more than 18 years of hands-on experience in Configuration Manager administration and application packaging. I am driven by a genuine passion for solving complex problems and consistently strive to discover innovative and effective solutions. Sharing my extensive knowledge of application deployments is a true joy for me, and I am honored to contribute to the community here at Silent Install HQ.

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