Sync Local Files To Your Google Docs Account With KumoSync

Despite being accessible wherever you are (as long as you have an Internet connection), there are still many times when you might want local copies of all the documents you create in Google Docs. For instance, there are occasions when Google Docs may be unavailable, due to server or application upgrades. Sometimes you may find yourself unable to connect to the Internet, due to travel or your own ISP's downtime. Regardless, while keeping all your documents "in the cloud" may sound like a good idea, there are times when it can come back to bite you.

For Windows users, a program called KumoSync might be the answer. With it, you can create all the documents you want – on the Desktop or in Google Docs – and keep copies in both places, synchronized automatically. Here's how it works.

First, head over to the KumoSync website.

Once there, click the Download Now link to load the downloads page.

Now click the link beside the green download arrow to download the KumoSync installer.

Once the installer has downloaded, right-click and choose the Install option (as shown below), or double-click to run the installer.

When finished, you'll see the Installation Complete window. Go ahead and leave the Start KumoSync box checked to start up the program when the installer quits.

When KumoSync first starts, you'll notice the following icon in your system tray.

You'll also notice the main Settings window.

Click the New button to add your Google account info to KumoSync.

In addition to the account information, you can choose which folder from your hard drive is synchronized to the cloud, plus some additional synchronization options. Once finished with this window, you probably want to choose a few more options, such as how often (and when) your documents are synchronized.

When all your options are chosen, KumoSync will begin synchronizing your documents. It will download any documents from Google Docs to your hard drive, and upload any from your computer to your Google Docs account.

When everything is done, you should be able to compare your local folder and your Google Docs account and see that everything exists in both places.

From now on, synchronization will happen immediately (if you change a local document, assuming that's what setting you chose), or within minutes if you make a change to a Google Docs file. And because you can set KumoSync to start up automatically when you log in, you don't have to think about it. Just install it, configure it, and let it do its job.