Cannot reinstall google drive for desktop after uninstalling

Hello, thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A.

Go to Start > Settings > Apps > Installed Apps.

If you locate Google Drive in the lists, click Uninstall.

If you're having trouble removing it from your device or if it throws any error, you can use the Program Install and Uninstall troubleshooter from the link below.

Fix problems that block programs from being installed or removed

• Another option: Go to Local disk C:\Program Files\Google\Drive File Stream
• Delete the Drive File Stream Folder and install Google Drive.

If you're still having issues, you can try this workaround:

That is, you will have to bring back the Original Installed files of Google Drive that are located here:

Local disk C:\Program Files\Google\Drive File Stream

To get the original installed files, install Google Drive on another computer.

Go to Local disk C:\Program Files\Google\Drive File Stream on that computer, copy the original files from this folder, and paste them to the computer in the same location that is having the issue.

Then uninstall Google Drive from your computer.

Restart your computer and reinstall it.

Welcome vini,

Thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A forum. I am sorry to hear about your issue with Google Drive for Desktop often shows "This version is already installed" after a partial uninstall on Windows 11. 

In addition to the previous suggestions, you could also explore these options: 

Option 1: Stop Running Processes 

• Open Task Manager > End task all GoogleDrive.exe  
•  Also, right-click the system tray icon (if present), select gear > Quit, then restart your PC  

Option 2: Clean Leftover Files 

Delete these folders manually (enable hidden items in File Explorer > View tab): 

• C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Google\DriveFS 
• C:\Program Files\Google\Drive File Stream (or Google\Drive) 
• C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming\Google Drive 

Option 3: Safe Mode Cleanup 

• Boot into Safe Mode (Settings > System > Recovery > Advanced startup > Restart now > Troubleshoot > Advanced > Startup Settings > Restart > option 4). Delete folders above, then reboot normally and reinstall 

I really hope that the information I gave above was helpful to you. Please feel free to reply below and let me know if you have further concern on this matter.    

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