Backup and Sync update fixes macOS crash, brings Windows 64-bit support

Google has apparently pulled up their socks for refining every bit of the Photos and Drive’s common client Backup and Sync. The service was released in the mid of last year, and since then it has been receiving continuous updates bringing something or the other – be it new features or bug fixes.

Like it’s usually the case, this update (3.40.8839.2105) also enhances/improves the client’s functionality and stability, and here’s how:

Brings in Windows 64-bit support

With the update, Google has made available a 64-bit executable of the client for Windows. A quick look at Backup and Sync’s recently updated release notes confirm that now the application will automatically upgrade to 64-bit process on a 64-bit system, unlike earlier.

Backup and Sync now distributes as a 64-bit executable on Windows. If your operating system is 64-bit, Backup and Sync will upgrade to 64-bit seamlessly. Backup and Sync will continue to run as a 32-bit process on 32-bit systems.

This could be a relief for those complaining about the client’s poor handling of large number of files, presumably because of the app running as a 32-bit process.

Quick access to file ‘Sharing settings’

Now while sharing a file on Drive’s Web client, clicking on ‘Get shareable link‘ (available in the options by either right clicking on the file to be shared or selecting the file) displays the following dialog box with an option to quickly access the file’s ‘Sharing settings’.

Here’s how Google explains this change:

When copying a link to your clipboard, Backup and Sync now displays a dialog with the current link sharing setting.

Two major crashes fixed

The story doesn’t end here. In addition to what all we’ve discussed so far, the update also fixes a couple of major crash issues.

Crash on macOS due to emojis in file name

macOS users who have been chiming about Backup and Sync crashing while syncing files/folders with emojis in their names should now be at ease, as the company has fixed whatever was causing the glitch.

Fixed an issue on macOS where Backup and Sync crashed when a synced file had emojis in the file name.

Note: Those who wish to gain more details on the matter can head here

Error EF31B9F9 or B3FD5B23

Good news for those who have been encountering application crashes labeled as Error EF31B9F9 or B3FD5B23, as Google has finally taken care of it.

Going by the reports, apparently some AntiVirus applications and browser extensions/addons were causing the trouble. But now it’s sorted, per say the client’s release notes.

Fixed issues where Backup and Sync crashed with error EF31B9F9 or B3FD5B23.

Here are the official release notes:

• Backup and Sync now distributes as a 64-bit executable on Windows. If your operating system is 64-bit, Backup and Sync will upgrade to 64-bit seamlessly. Backup and Sync will continue to run as a 32-bit process on 32-bit systems.
• When copying a link to your clipboard, Backup and Sync now displays a dialog with the current link sharing setting.
• Fixed an issue on macOS where Backup and Sync crashed when a synced file had emojis in the file name.
• Fixed issues where Backup and Sync crashed with error EF31B9F9 or B3FD5B23.
• Additional bug fixes and performance improvements.

While it’s relieving to see that Google is making all possible efforts to make the client more user friendly, we hope and wish they continue to do the same, and fix other pending issues as well.

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