Google Workspace Changes

Get extra visibility and control over how Drive File Stream is used in your organization

We’re giving admins more control over their corporate data by integrating controls for Drive File Stream into Google’s device management interface.

Updating Drive File Stream to replace the functionality of the Google Drive plug-in for Microsoft Office.

The update to Drive File Stream will include a plugin to manage Google Drive files from Microsoft Outlook on Windows. This will make it easier for users to use Google Drive without leaving the Outlook interface.

Launching new Google Drive / Microsoft Outlook integration, shutting down legacy plugin

We’re updating Drive File Stream to replace the functionality of the “Google Drive plug-in for Microsoft Office.

Launching a beta program for a new feature that allows users to search for Google Drive files that they have access to when using the Chrome Omnibox (search/URL box).

Users in the beta can now search for files in Drive by owner or type, where previously they could only search for a title or URL of a webpage. This feature is similar to what users see when searching for files in Google Drive.

Real-time presence in Microsoft Office to become available October 17th

This feature, included in Drive File Stream, will help you avoid version conflicts when editing Microsoft Office files in Google Drive.

New Content manager role coming to Team Drives

In October 2018, we’ll make several changes to membership roles in Team Drives. Most importantly, we’ll add a new “Content manager” role, which will make it easier to manage files in Team Drives.

Avoid version conflicts when editing Microsoft Office files in Drive

We’re adding a new feature to Google Drive that lets you see when other people are editing files in Microsoft Office products. This will help you collaborate better and avoid version conflicts.

Admin-controlled default settings for new Team Drives.

G Suite admins can now prescribe default settings for newly created Team Drives in their domains or organizational units. These defaults include options to prevent full-access members from modifying settings, restrict the creation of new Team Drives, and limit access for people outside the domain or non-members.

New user settings to safeguard Team Drive files.

Users with full access to a Team Drive can now modify settings to restrict whether files can be shared with users outside their domain or non-members of the Team Drive, and prevent commenters and viewers from downloading, copying, or printing files.

Google Drive is updating its web interface to align with Google's latest material design principles.

Google Drive on the web is receiving a visual refresh to create a more responsive and cohesive experience across G Suite. While functionality remains unchanged, updates include a new Google Drive logo in the top left, custom company logos moving to the top right, repositioned Settings and Help Center icons, a white page background, an updated 'New' button, and updated header fonts.

Legacy Google Drive desktop sync client for Mac and PC will shut down starting May 12, 2018.

The legacy Google Drive for Mac/PC sync client will begin a gradual shutdown starting May 12, 2018. After this date, the client may stop syncing files between local computers and Google Drive, although local files will not be deleted. To assist with the transition, Drive File Stream will automatically rename any detected legacy Google Drive folders to include '(Not Syncing)' and display a notification to the user to prevent accidental editing of non-syncing files.

Google Drive updates the Access checker to improve visibility of users needing access, support Team Drive files, and provide intelligent sharing defaults.

Google Drive is updating its Access checker feature to make file sharing more intuitive and secure. The updates include displaying the specific names or email addresses of people who lack access, extending support to files within Team Drives, and changing the default sharing behavior to intelligently suggest sharing with only the necessary recipients rather than simply enabling link sharing. G Suite admins can continue to control the available sharing options for their organization.

Enhanced security and Information Rights Management (IRM) controls for Team Drives.

Google is enhancing Team Drives with new security controls, including Information Rights Management (IRM) to prevent users from printing, downloading, or copying files. Admins will also be able to modify settings to limit file access privileges specifically to Team Drive members or only to users within their domain.

Google Drive is improving the 'Shared with Me' section by intelligently organizing files by the people who shared them using AI.

Google Drive is updating the 'Shared with Me' section to help users find shared content more efficiently. The new interface uses artificial intelligence to predict the people and files a user is most likely to search for, organizing the section to make these predictions more visible. This update aims to streamline the process of finding files shared by specific collaborators.

Admins can now limit the bandwidth used by Drive File Stream.

Administrators now have the ability to limit the bandwidth of Drive File Stream for both uploads and downloads to manage network usage within their organization.