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Google Drive download

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With Google Drive for Desktop you can access your documents and files without having to open your internet browser. Download it for free!

Are you a fan of Google Drive? It is a useful service that many people use every day. Google Drive is really great for both office work, school assignments and many other things. In addition, you can also use Google Drive to make online backups of all your files. You get 15 GB of free storage space, and of course there is the option to buy even more space if you need it.

On this page, you can read more about Google Drive for desktop. It is a small piece of software that Google has developed for Windows and Mac. This tool gives you access to Google Drive directly from your operating system, and you no longer have to open your internet browser in order to access your documents and files. There is also an app for iOS and Android devices, which you can also download for free.

For security reasons, Google recommends that you download the computer client from their own website. When you click on the download button on this page, you are transferred directly to the official website, so you get the right file for your operating system.

Installation

We tested Google Drive for desktop on a PC with Windows 11 Home. As you can see on the website below, the installation only took a moment. If you wish, you can choose to create shortcuts on the desktop for Google Drive and Google's office programs (Docs, Sheets and Slides).

When the installation is completed, you are asked to sign in with your Google account. If you do not already have a Google account, you can quickly create one, and it's completely free. If you use Google's e-mail service Gmail, you already have an account. Once you have entered your login information, the Google Drive client is ready for use.

The Google Drive client asks the user to choose between streaming or mirroring their files. Which is the best setting for you? Read more about this in the next section.

Streaming versus mirroring files

With the Google Drive client, you can choose between two different settings for accessing your files. Google calls these syncing methods "streaming" and "mirroring". You can read a little about both of these settings in the screenshot below this text.

If you choose to stream your files, your files are only stored in the cloud. That means the files are only located on the internet. The files can only be accessed when the Google Drive client is open on your computer while you are connected to the internet. Therefore, the files do not take up any space on your hard drive, except when you open them or if you specifically choose to download them offline use.

If you choose the mirror option instead, then your files are both stored on Google's servers and your own computer. Therefore, the files will take up space on your hard drive, and you do not need an internet connection to access them with this option.

Regardless of whether you choose one option or the other, your files are always synchronized with Google's servers when you have access to the internet. If you are still in doubt as to which setting is right for you, Google has created a help page where you can read more about the Google Drive client and the various settings. You can find the help page right here.

The user interface

After installing Google Drive for desktop on our Windows computer, it appeared like a kind of extra hard drive our computer. Any file that we drag into this virtual “hard drive” will be synced with Google Drive. This means that we no longer have to open an internet browser and sign in to Google Drive in order to access our files, which means our files are always available and we never have to open the web version of Google Drive.

You can also find the Google Drive for desktop client in the start menu in the bottom right corner. Here you can see if all your files are up to date, and you can also add and remove Google accounts. It is also this icon that you have to press if you later want to switch between the stream and mirror settings.

As you can see in the GIF image above, there are also lots of other settings that you can play around with. You can decide whether Google Drive should appear as a virtual hard drive or a folder your computer. You can also choose whether your pictures should be uploaded in full or reduced quality to Google Photos, and you can decide whether Google Drive for desktop should automatically open when you start the computer.

Info about Drive and Google's office apps

If you have never used Google Drive before, you might want to read a little bit about the service before you download the desktop application.

In short, Google Drive is a kind of online hard drive where you can store all your files. This can be documents, images, videos and much more. Because these files are stored in the cloud, they do not take up any space on your hard drive. In addition, you also have access to them from any computer with internet access. By default you have 15 GB of free storage space, but you can choose to buy more space if this is not enough.

One of the coolest things about Google Drive is that Google's office applications are directly integrated with the service. As you can see on the GIF image above this text, there are great apps such as Google Docs, Google Sheets and Google Slides. These tools are all free to use, and they contain much of the same functionality as Microsoft's programs Word, Excel and PowerPoint. In addition, it is easy to share your documents with others when you use these tools because all your files are already stored online on Google Drive.

Conclusion

We think that Google Drive for desktop is a really useful. With this application you can access your files on Google Drive without having to open your internet browser. Instead, your Google Drive folder will function a bit more like a virtual hard drive.

As we have already mentioned in our review, you can choose whether you want to stream or mirror your files. Basically, you have to choose whether you want files to be stored online only or if they should also take up space on your hard drive. The streaming option is quite useful because then your Google Drive files will not take up any space on your hard drive.

If you have never used Google Drive before, you can start by trying the service directly in your internet browser. You can do that by clicking here. Google Drive requires you to have a Google account, but you can quickly create one if you do not already have one.

Download Google Drive
Details of Google Drive
Licens:
Freeware


Manufacturer
Google

Date added:
11-10-2017

End User License Agreement (EULA)

Operating system:
Windows, Mac, iOS & Android

Size
Mb

Date updated:
11-08-2022

How to uninstall

0
TERMS OF SERVICE AND END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT FOR GOOGLE DRIVE

The following terms of service and end user license agreement (“EULA”) constitute an agreement between you and GOOGLE and its affiliates (“GOOGLE”). This EULA governs your use of Software and Services (as specified below).
For purposes of this EULA "Software" means all software programs distributed, published or otherwise made available by GOOGLE or its affiliates including, but not limited to mobile software, downloadable/installable software for personal computer, and software accessed by means of a browser or other online communication method. Software also includes updates and upgrades as well as accompanying manual(s), packaging and other written, files, electronic or on-line materials or documentation, and any and all copies of such software and its materials.
“Services” means all services made available by GOOGLE, including but not limited to services accessed through mobile games, by means of a browser or by other online communication method.
Software and Services are collectively referred to as “GOOGLE Services”.

THE SOFTWARE IS LICENSED, NOT SOLD. YOUR USE OF THE SOFTWARE (AS SPECIFIED BELOW) IS SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET FORTH IN THIS EULA. BY INSTALLING, USING OR ACCESSING THE GOOGLE SERVICES OR ANY MATERIALS INCLUDED IN OR WITH THE GOOGLE SERVICES, YOU HEREBY ACCEPT THE TERMS OF THIS EULA.
If you do not accept the terms of this EULA, do not install, use or access the GOOGLE Services.

1 LICENSES
SOFTWARE LICENSE. Subject to this EULA and its terms and conditions, GOOGLE hereby grants you a non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-sublicensable, limited right and license to use one copy of the Software for your personal non-commercial use on a single computer or gaming unit, unless otherwise specified in the Software documentation. The rights granted herein are subject to your compliance with this EULA. The Software is being licensed to you and you hereby acknowledge that no title or ownership in the Software is being transferred or assigned and this EULA is not to be construed as a sale of any rights in the Software.
SERVICE LICENSE. Subject to this EULA and its terms and conditions, GOOGLE hereby grants you a non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-sublicensable, limited right and license to use the Services as provided by GOOGLE, for your personal non-commercial use, in the manner permitted by this EULA. The rights granted herein are subject to your compliance with this EULA.
LICENSE TERM. The term of your licenses under this EULA shall commence on the date that you accept this EULA and install or otherwise use the Software and/or Services and ends on the earlier date of either your disposal of the Software and/or Services or GOOGLE's termination of this EULA. Your license terminates immediately if you attempt to circumvent any technical protection measures used in connection with the Software and/or Services or you otherwise use the Software and/or Services in breach of the terms of this EULA.
OWNERSHIP; NO OTHER LICENSES. GOOGLE retains all right, title and interest in and to the GOOGLE Services, including, but not limited to, all copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets, trade names, proprietary rights, patents, titles, computer codes, audiovisual effects, themes, characters, character names, stories, dialog, settings, artwork, sound effects, musical works, and moral rights whether registered or not and all applications thereof. The GOOGLE Services are protected by applicable laws and treaties throughout the world. Unless expressly authorized by mandatory legislation, the GOOGLE Services may not be copied, reproduced or distributed in any manner or medium, in whole or in part, without prior written consent from GOOGLE. All rights not expressly granted to you herein are reserved by GOOGLE.

2 THIRD PARTY SERVICES
GOOGLE Services may include links to third party services and/or the third party services may be made available to you via GOOGLE Services. These services may include, but are not limited to gameplay recording and sharing, social medial connectivity and the like. These services are subject to respective third party terms and conditions. Please study these third party terms and conditions carefully as they constitute an agreement between you and the applicable third party service provider.

3 GENERAL LICENSE CONDITIONS
You agree not to: (i) commercially exploit the GOOGLE Services; (ii) distribute, lease, license, sell, rent, lend, convey or otherwise transfer or assign the GOOGLE Services, any copies thereof, or any passwords or usernames of GOOGLE Services, without the express prior written consent of GOOGLE or as set forth in this EULA; (iii) make a copy of the GOOGLE Services or any part thereof, including but not limited to Software (other than as set forth herein); (iv) make the GOOGLE Services publicly available or available on a network for use or download by multiple users; (v) except as otherwise specifically provided by the GOOGLE Services or this EULA, use or install the GOOGLE Services (or permit others to do same) on a network, for on-line use, or on more than one computer or gaming unit at the same time; (vi) use or copy the GOOGLE Services at a computer gaming center or any other location-based site; provided, that GOOGLE may offer you a separate site license agreement to make the GOOGLE Services available for commercial use; (vii) reverse engineer, decompile, disassemble, translate, prepare derivative works based on or otherwise modify the GOOGLE Services, in whole or in part; (viii) remove, obscure or modify any copyright, trademark or other proprietary rights notices, marks or labels contained on or within the GOOGLE Services, falsify or delete any author attributions, legal notices or other labels of the origin or source of the material; (ix) misrepresent the source of ownership of the GOOGLE Services; (x) transport, export or re-export (directly or indirectly) into any country forbidden to receive such GOOGLE Services by any U.S. or other export laws or accompanying regulations or otherwise violate such laws or regulations, that may be amended from time to time; or (xi) scrape, build databases or otherwise create permanent copies of content returned from the GOOGLE Services.
However, with regards to installable Software that was delivered on a physical storage medium, you may transfer the entire Software and accompanying documentation on a permanent basis to another person as long as you retain no copies (including archival or backup copies) of the Software, accompanying documentation, or any portion or component of the Software accompanying documentation, and the recipient agrees to the terms of this EULA The Software is intended for private use only.
The GOOGLE Services may include measures to control access to the GOOGLE Service, prevent unauthorized copies, or otherwise attempt to prevent anyone from exceeding the limited rights and licenses granted under this EULA. Only GOOGLE Services subject to a valid license can be used to access online services, and download updates and patches. You may not interfere with such access control measures or attempt to disable or circumvent such security features. If you disable or otherwise tamper with the technical protection measures, the GOOGLE Services will not function properly.
The GOOGLE Services may allow you to create content, including but not limited to gameplay maps, screenshots or a video of your game play. In exchange for use of the GOOGLE Services, and to the extent that your contributions through use of the GOOGLE Services give rise to any copyright, design right or any other intellectual or industrial property right you hereby grant GOOGLE an exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable, fully transferable and sub-licensable worldwide right and license to use your contributions in any way and for any purpose including, but not limited to the rights to reproduce, copy, adapt, modify, perform, display, publish, broadcast, transmit, or otherwise communicate to the public by any means whether now known or unknown and distribute your contributions without any further notice or compensation to you of any kind for the whole duration of protection granted to intellectual and industrial property rights by applicable laws and international conventions. If not expressly prohibited by mandatory legislation, you hereby waive any moral rights of paternity, publication, reputation, or attribution with respect to GOOGLE's and other players' use and enjoyment of such assets in connection with the GOOGLE Services and related goods and services under applicable law. This license grant to GOOGLE, and the above waiver of any applicable moral rights, survives any termination of this EULA.
The GOOGLE Services may require an internet connection to access the GOOGLE Services or its internet-based features, authenticate the Software, or perform other functions. In order for certain features of the GOOGLE Services to operate properly, you may be required to have and maintain (a) an adequate internet connection and/or (b) a valid and active account with an online service as set forth in the documentation related to GOOGLE Services. By using the GOOGLE Services, you acknowledge and agree that third party data transfer fees may apply depending on your data plan. Please consult your carrier for further information. If you do not maintain such accounts, then the GOOGLE Services or certain features of the GOOGLE Services may not operate or may cease to function properly, either in whole or in part.

4 INFORMATION COLLECTION AND USE; PRIVACY POLICY
By installing, accessing or using the GOOGLE Services, you consent to these information collection and usage terms, including (where applicable) the transfer of data into a country outside of the European Union and/or the European Economic Area or the United States of America.
GOOGLE respects your privacy rights and recognizes the importance of protecting any information collected about you. GOOGLE's privacy policy as amended from time to time is available at www.google.com/privacy ("Privacy Policy") and applicable to this EULA. GOOGLE’s Privacy Policy defines how, why and to which extent GOOGLE collects and uses personal and non-personal information in relation to GOOGLE's products and services. By installing, accessing or using the GOOGLE Services you explicitly agree with the terms and conditions of GOOGLE’s Privacy Policy and to any terms and conditions included therein by reference.

5 PAYMENTS AND PURCHASES OF VIRTUAL GOODS
GOOGLE may license to you certain virtual goods to be used within GOOGLE Services. Unless otherwise specified, these virtual goods shall be deemed an integral part of the Software. These virtual goods may be licensed both for a fee using “real world money” and without any separate fee, as applicable from time to time. These virtual goods may also be licensed by using third party virtual currency, such as Facebook Credits or by using separate activation codes.
Any and all virtual goods are licensed to you on limited, personal, non-transferable, non-sublicensable and revocable basis and limited only for non-commercial use.
Please note that any payment for licenses for virtual goods or redemption of third party virtual currency is always FINAL AND NON-REFUNDABLE. Also please note that if you purchase Facebook Credits from Facebook, such transaction is governed by the agreement between you and Facebook and GOOGLE is not a party to the transaction.
GOOGLE may manage, regulate, control, modify or eliminate virtual goods at any time, with or without notice. GOOGLE shall have no liability to you or any third party in the event that GOOGLE exercises any such rights.
SUBJECT TO MANDATORY LEGISLATION, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT GOOGLE IS NOT REQUIRED TO PROVIDE A REFUND FOR VIRTUAL GOODS FOR ANY REASON, AND THAT YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE MONEY OR OTHER COMPENSATION FOR UNUSED VIRTUAL GOODS, WHETHER YOUR LOSS OF LICENSE UNDER THIS EULA WAS VOLUNTARY OR INVOLUNTARY.

6 WARRANTY
6.1 Warranty for Physical software Products
GOOGLE warrants to you (if you are the initial and original purchaser of the Software) that, to the extent the Software is made available to you on a physical storage medium, the original storage medium holding the Software is free from defects in material and workmanship under normal use and service for 90 days from the date of purchase. If mandatory legislation in your jurisdiction requires longer in excess to the aforementioned 90 days, the length of the warranty is amended accordingly. If for any reason you find a defect in the physical storage medium during the warranty period, GOOGLE agrees to replace, free of charge, any physical storage medium and related Software discovered to be defective within the warranty period as long as the Software is currently commercially distributed by GOOGLE. If the Software is no longer available, GOOGLE retains the right to substitute a similar piece of Software of equal or greater value. This warranty is limited to the physical storage medium and the Software as originally provided by GOOGLE and is not applicable to normal wear and tear. This warranty shall not be applicable and shall be void if the defect has arisen through abuse, mistreatment, or neglect. Any implied warranties prescribed by statute are expressly limited to the warranty period described above.
When returning the Software subject to the limited warranty above, please send the original Software only to the GOOGLE address specified below and include: your name and return address; a photocopy of your dated sales receipt; and a brief note describing the defect and the system on which you are running the Software.
6.2 No other Warranties
NOTWITHSTANDING THE ABOVEMENTIONED WARRANTY FOR PHYSICAL STORAGE MEDIUM SPECIFIED IN SECTION 6.1 ABOVE, AND TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMISSIBLE UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, THE GOOGLE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED TO YOU “AS IS,” WITH ALL FAULTS, WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, WITHOUT PERFORMANCE ASSURANCES OR GUARANTEES OF ANY KIND, AND YOUR USE IS AT YOUR SOLE RISK. THE ENTIRE RISK OF SATISFACTORY QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE RESIDES WITH YOU. GOOGLE, GOOGLE’S LICENSORS AND CHANNEL PARTNERS DO NOT MAKE, AND HEREBY DISCLAIM, ANY AND ALL EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY WARRANTIES, INCLUDING IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF CONDITION, UNINTERRUPTED USE, ACCURACY OF DATA (INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LOCATION DATA), MERCHANTABILITY, SATISFACTORY QUALITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NONINFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY RIGHTS, AND WARRANTIES (IF ANY) ARISING FROM A COURSE OF DEALING, USAGE, OR TRADE PRACTICE. GOOGLE, GOOGLE’S LICENSORS AND CHANNEL PARTNERS DO NOT WARRANT AGAINST INTERFERENCE WITH YOUR ENJOYMENT OF THE SOFTWARE; THAT THE GOOGLE SERVICES WILL MEET YOUR REQUIREMENTS; THAT OPERATION OF THE GOOGLE SERVICES WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED OR ERROR-FREE, OR THAT THE GOOGLE SERVICES WILL INTEROPERATE OR BE COMPATIBLE WITH ANY OTHER GOOGLE SERVICES OR THAT ANY ERRORS IN THE GOOGLE SERVICES WILL BE CORRECTED. NO ORAL OR WRITTEN ADVICE PROVIDED BY GOOGLE, GOOGLE’S LICENSORS AND CHANNEL PARTNERS OR ANY AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE SHALL CREATE A WARRANTY. SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OF OR LIMITATIONS ON IMPLIED WARRANTIES OR THE LIMITATIONS ON THE APPLICABLE STATUTORY RIGHTS OF A CONSUMER, SO SOME OR ALL OF THE ABOVE EXCLUSIONS AND LIMITATIONS APPLY ONLY TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW IN THE APPLICABLE JURISDICTION.

7 LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
IN NO EVENT WILL GOOGLE, GOOGLE’S AFFILIATES, GOOGLE’S LICENSORS OR CHANNEL PARTNERS BE LIABLE FOR SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES RESULTING FROM POSSESSION, ACCESS, USE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE GOOGLE SERVICES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, DAMAGES TO PROPERTY, LOSS OF GOODWILL, COMPUTER FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION AND, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, DAMAGES FOR PERSONAL INJURIES, PROPERTY DAMAGE, LOST PROFITS OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES FROM ANY CAUSES OF ACTION ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS EULA OR THE SOFTWARE, WHETHER ARISING IN TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY OR OTHERWISE AND WHETHER OR NOT GOOGLE, GOOGLE’S LICENSORS OR CHANNEL PARTNERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION 7, GOOGLE’S LICENSORS AND CHANNEL PARTNERS ARE THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES TO THE LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY SPECIFIED HEREIN AND THEY MAY ENFORCE THIS EULA AGAINST YOU.
BECAUSE SOME STATES/COUNTRIES DO NOT ALLOW CERTAIN LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY, THIS LIMITATION OF LIABILITY SHALL APPLY TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW IN THE APPLICABLE JURISDICTION. THIS LIMITATION OF LIABILITY SHALL NOT BE APPLICABLE SOLELY TO THE EXTENT THAT ANY SPECIFIC PROVISION OF THIS LIMITATION OF LIABILITY IS PROHIBITED BY ANY FEDERAL, STATE, OR MUNICIPAL LAW, WHICH CANNOT BE PRE-EMPTED. THIS EULA GIVES YOU SPECIFIC LEGAL RIGHTS, AND YOU MAY HAVE OTHER RIGHTS THAT VARY FROM JURISDICTION TO JURISDICTION.
IN NO EVENT SHALL GOOGLE’S, GOOGLE’S AFFILIATES’, GOOGLE’S LICENSORS’ OR CHANNEL PARTNERS’ LIABILITY FOR ALL DAMAGES (EXCEPT AS REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW) EXCEED THE ACTUAL PRICE PAID BY YOU FOR USE OF THE GOOGLE SERVICES OR FIVE EUROS (EUR 5), WHICHEVER LESS.

8 OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS
TERMINATION: This EULA will terminate automatically if you fail to comply with its terms and conditions. In such event, you must destroy all copies of the Software and all of its component parts and cease and desist from accessing any GOOGLE Services. With regards to Software delivered on a physical storage medium you can end this EULA by destroying the Software and all copies and reproductions of the Software and deleting and permanently purging the Software from any client server or computer on which it has been installed.
EQUITABLE REMEDIES: You hereby agree that if the terms of this EULA are not specifically observed, GOOGLE will be irreparably damaged, and therefore you agree that GOOGLE shall be entitled, without bond, other security or proof of damages, to appropriate equitable remedies with respect to your breach of any of the terms of this EULA, in addition to any other available remedies.
AFFILIATE: For purposes of this EULA, an “affiliate” or GOOGLE means any legal entity that is directly or indirectly controlled by GOOGLE for so long as such control lasts. Control shall exist through direct or indirect ownership of more than 50 % of the nominal value of the issued equity share capital or more than 50 % of the shares entitling the holders to vote for the election of the members of the board of directors or persons performing similar functions.
INDEMNITY: You agree to indemnify, defend and hold GOOGLE, its partners, affiliates, contractors, officers, directors, employees and agents harmless from and against any and all damages, losses and expenses arising directly or indirectly from: (i) your acts and omissions to act in using the GOOGLE Services pursuant to the terms of the EULA; or (ii) your breach of this EULA.
MISCELLANEOUS: This EULA represents the complete agreement concerning this license between the parties and supersedes all prior agreements and representations between them. GOOGLE reserves the right, at its discretion, to change, modify, add or remove portions of this EULA by posting the updated EULA on GOOGLE’s website. You will be deemed to have accepted such changes by continuing to use the GOOGLE Services. If any provision of this EULA is held to be unenforceable for any reason, such provision shall be reformed only to the extent necessary to make it enforceable and the remaining provisions of this EULA shall not be affected.
GOVERNING LAW AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION. This EULA will be governed by the laws of United States of America without reference to its choice of law rules. The United Nations Convention for the International Sale of Goods shall not apply.
Any dispute, controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this EULA or the breach, termination or validity thereof shall be finally settled at GOOGLE's discretion (i) at your domicile's competent courts; or (ii) by arbitration in accordance with the Rules for Expedited Arbitration of the Arbitration Institute of the American Chamber of Commerce. The arbitration shall be conducted in Sacremento, California, in the English language. YOU AGREE THAT YOU MAY BRING CLAIMS AGAINST GOOGLE ONLY IN YOUR INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY AND NOT AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY PURPORTED CLASS OR REPRESENTATIVE PROCEEDING.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS CONCERNING THIS AGREEMENT, YOU MAY CONTACT support@google.com.

How to uninstall Google Drive

Should you wish to uninstall Google Drive then it's easy to do so. Here's how you do:
  1. Open your Windows Control Panel
  2. Select “Add/Remove programs”
  3. Find Google Drive, mark it and choose "Uninstall"
  4. Follow the process on your screen
Should Google Drive has been damaged or corrupted and thereby difficult to remove we can recommend you finding help to uninstall it here.