Fixing Google Drive for Desktop After Windows Update: Regain Access to Your Workspace Files

Many Google Workspace users rely on Google Drive for Desktop to seamlessly sync their files, access shared Google Docs, and manage their cloud storage directly from their computer. However, a recent community discussion highlighted a critical issue where a specific Windows Update (KB5074109) rendered Google Drive for Desktop unusable, preventing reinstallation and displaying an "Unable to launch Drive for computer" error.

The Windows Update Conflict: KB5074109 and Google Drive

The original poster, 'Drive_forum_custom', meticulously detailed their experience: after Windows Update KB5074109, Google Drive for Desktop ceased functioning. Despite multiple attempts at reinstallation, running as administrator, clearing cache, and even creating new user profiles, the persistent "Unable to launch Google Drive" error message blocked access. This issue was confirmed to be directly linked to the update, as other PCs without KB5074109 installed continued to function normally. This kind of disruption can severely impact productivity, making it difficult to view Google storage usage, collaborate on how to check shared Google Docs, or even access the https://workspace.google.com/u/0/dashboard for administrative tasks.

A Community-Driven Solution for Reinstallation

Thankfully, a fellow community member provided a comprehensive solution that involves a thorough manual cleanup of Google Drive for Desktop's residual files and registry entries. This approach ensures a completely fresh reinstallation, bypassing the conflict caused by the Windows Update.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Follow these steps carefully to resolve the "Unable to launch Drive for computer" error:

1. Uninstall Google Drive for Desktop:
   First, delete the Google Drive application via Windows' "Installed applications" settings.
2. Run Command Prompt as Administrator:
   Search for "cmd" in your Windows search bar, right-click on "Command Prompt," and select "Run as administrator."
3. Execute Cleanup Commands:
   In the elevated Command Prompt window, paste and execute the following commands one by one. These commands forcefully stop any running Google Drive processes, delete associated local application data, program data, and registry entries, ensuring a clean slate.

taskkill /F /IM "GoogleDriveFS.exe" 2>nul
rd /s /q "%LOCALAPPDATA%\Google\DriveFS" 2>nul
rd /s /q "%PROGRAMDATA%\Google\DriveFS" 2>nul
reg delete "HKCU\Software\Google\DriveFS" /f 2>nul
reg delete "HKLM\Software\Google\DriveFS" /f 2>nul

4. Delete Remaining Program Files:
   Navigate to C:\Program Files\Google\ and manually delete the "Drive File Stream" folder if it still exists.
5. Restart Your PC:
   A system restart is recommended after performing these cleanup steps to ensure all changes are applied.
6. Reinstall Google Drive for Desktop:
   Download the latest version of Google Drive for Desktop from the official Google website and proceed with the installation.

Conclusion

This detailed cleanup process, though manual, has proven effective in resolving the stubborn "Unable to launch Drive for computer" error following Windows Update KB5074109. By meticulously removing all traces of the previous installation, users can successfully reinstall Google Drive for Desktop and restore seamless access to their Google Workspace files, enabling them to efficiently manage their documents, collaborate with ease, and monitor their storage without interruption. This community insight underscores the value of shared knowledge in navigating complex technical challenges within the Google Workspace ecosystem.