Windows 11 - I can't see files copied to my Google Drive

Factual Questions
1

I bought a Windows 11 laptop.

I installed the Google Drive App. Transfered some files down to the laptop. Works fine.

I uploaded a new 3 GB video to Google Drive.
It went way, way to fast for a Wii-Fi connection. It completed in under a minute. I know a 3 GB file takes 15 to 20 minutes to upload on my old Win 10 laptop.

Yes, I used copy/paste. Not copy path.

Windows File Explorer shows it’s there.

My Android phone doesn’t see the file on Google drive.

I shutdown the laptop for the night.

I tried uploading again this morning. Same result. I haven’t shut down the laptop yet.

I checked Properties on the file. It shows the right size. I did have an odd File came from another computer and might be blocked
Of course it did! I just created it with Handbrake. I cleared that.

Is Windows 11 copying in the background?

I’m leaving the laptop on a couple hours and see if these files ever get listed on Google Drive.

My next step is to boot up my old Win 10 laptop. Try File Explorer and see if it sees this file on Google Drive.

2

Well, both copies of this video are now available on my Google Drive.

All, I can think of, is Win 11 has to be using a Download/Upload Queue.

Likk Chrome on my phone. When I download it goes into a queue. Chrome Menu Downloads will show the files.

I can’t find that feature in Win 11. But that has to be what its doing.

My other issue with Win 11 is right click (on a file) with the Mouse. I have to go to Show More Options to see the normal menu with copy, paste, Open with etc.

Otherwise Win 11 doesn’t seem much different than Win 10.

3

That’s Microsoft gratuitously “improving” stuff for you.

Googling tells me the original context menu behavior is still available if you modify one key in the registry, but not everyone feels up to directly manipulating internal configuration items.

https://www.winhelponline.com/blog/get-classic-full-context-menu-windows-11/

Maybe someone has come up with a utility to do this in a more user-friendly fashion.

4

Microsoft knows whats best for us. :wink:

Like moving the Start Menu way over on the Task Bar.

so weird, but I can live with it.

5

I did this and it works fine.

You can move the start button to the left in task bar settings. Right-click on the task bar to get to these settings.

As for the issue in your OP: I’ve seen instances when copying files in Windows that Windows Explorer already displayed copied files in the target folder before the process was completed. It’s not Windows 11 specific, I’ve seen this behavior at least since XP.

6

I’ll do the Registry change. It’s a simple one.

I’m getting ready for the Microsoft Win 10 cutoff next Oct, 2025. My laptop doesn’t pass the compliance test to upgrade.

Bought a used Dell E7470 with Win 11. Only $260.
It had a fresh install.

The Win 11 laptop will sit on a shelf until it’s needed next year. I’m not happy it doesn’t have a dvd drive. I’ll buy a external USB-C drive.

7

With a few tricks you can avoid the restrictions for older computers to install/update to Win 11. I have a ca. 10 years old laptop I upgraded to Win 11 and it works fine. I used a free tool called Rufus.

8

I’ll look into Rufus. It would be nice to keep my older laptop.

The new laptops are so thin that a dvd drive can’t fit. External drives clutter my desk.

9

I can only recommend it, it’s easy to do. The app (Rufus) produces an installation medium (preferably an USB stick) for Win 11 with the restrictions removed. You can either boot from there for a fresh install or execute the setup.exe on the drive in Windows 10 to upgrade. The installation/upgrade process is the same as ever.

10

Here’s a tutorial I found.

11

Thank you.

I know eventually support for Win 11 will end in a few years. Hopefully by then I’ll be done with computers.

I started with DOS and then Win 3.11 Windows for Workgroups and have used everything since. I still think Win 7 was the most stable.

Except never used NT 3.1. I started with a NT 4.0 server. I set it up for my department at work.

12

Why do that? Why not either start using the newer computer now or delay buying a replacement until you really need to?

13

I was concerned people would push up the price for used Win 11 Laptops.

Oct, 2025 will be here quick.

I need to clean up files on my Win 10 before copying everything to the new machine.

I am relieved Win 11 didn’t change very much. I didn’t have any trouble navigating.

The issue with copying a video file to the cloud was my only problem.

14

I’m skeptical that used Windows 11 laptops are going to get more expensive over the next year. More likely, the same amount will get you a newer, faster laptop.