Google Drive Ends Support for Windows 8 & 8.1 Desktop App: Time to Upgrade

Google has recently announced that it is ending support for its desktop app on Windows 8 and Windows 8.1.

Although quietly announced on a support page, this development has important implications for users who rely on Google Drive for syncing their files and folders with the cloud.

Update Outdated Windows System Now

As of August 2023, users still on the outdated Windows 8 and 8.1 operating systems will need to upgrade to Windows 10 to continue using the Google Drive desktop app without any service interruptions.

The Google Drive desktop app keeps users' files and folders synchronized with the cloud storage platform.

With the withdrawal of support for this app, it becomes imperative for Windows 8 and 8.1 users to consider upgrading their operating systems to Windows 10 to maintain the convenience of syncing their data seamlessly.

Take Note

In addition to the termination of support for Windows 8 and 8.1, Google Drive is also discontinuing support for all 32-bit versions of Windows.

This means that even if users opt to upgrade to a 32-bit version of Windows 10, they will still be unable to utilize the Google Drive desktop app.

However, it is worth noting that by 2023, most users with 4GB of RAM or more likely have 64-bit versions of Windows installed and will not be affected by this limitation.

Shifting Away from Old Operating Systems

Google has been gradually phasing out support for its services on older operating systems, including Google Chrome for Windows 8/8.1 and Windows 7, which saw support termination in February.

The move to discontinue support for legacy operating systems aligns with Google's focus on the most recent and widely used platforms. Therefore, users wishing to continue syncing their files and folders with Google Drive must upgrade to Windows 10.

Windows 8.1 officially reached its end-of-life status earlier this year. With the deprecated status of these operating systems, it is expected that more app makers and developers will cease support for them, as seen in the case of Google Drive.

Manage Drive Updates

To assist users in managing their Drive for desktop updates, Google has provided release notes outlining each version's additions and improvements.

Users are advised to remain on a version released within the last 12 months to avoid compatibility issues and service interruptions. Read this guide for more information.

What's in the news?

If you are a Google Drive user and still rely on Windows 8 or Windows 8.1, it is essential to upgrade your operating system to Windows 10 before August 2023.

Failure to do so may result in service interruptions and the inability to sync your files and folders using the Google Drive desktop app.

While this change may require some adjustments, upgrading to Windows 10 will ensure continued access to Google Drive's cloud storage capabilities, providing a seamless experience for managing and synchronizing your files.

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