How to Download Google Drive Files Directly Without Sharing Links

Google Drive is one of the most popular cloud storage services available today, offering users a vast amount of free storage space for their files and documents. However, sometimes it can be convenient or necessary to share large files with others without having them sign up for an account or deal with long download times due to slower internet connections.

Fortunately, Google Drive provides several methods for sharing files directly through email links that recipients can use to access the content immediately after clicking on the link provided in their received message - but did you know there's another way too? Here we will cover how to create such direct download links from within your own account so others don't need any kind of login credentials at all.

Method 1: Creating a Direct

To begin, log into your Google Account and navigate to the Google Drive dashboard. From here, locate the file you wish to share directly with others without requiring them to sign in or use their own account details.

Once you've found the desired item, right-click (or long press on mobile devices) anywhere within its preview window then select 'Get link.' This action will open up a new dialogue box where two options are presented: 'Anyone with this link can:'

- View only: When selected, anyone who clicks on this particular URL will be able to view the file but cannot edit or download it themselves.

-OR-

## Step 2

Get link: This option allows users to share files that they have permission to access directly via a unique web address. To do so:

1. Go back into your Google Drive account and find the specific document you want people outside of your organization (or even inside, depending on their permissions) to download.

2. Right-click anywhere within its preview image or description area while holding down Shift + right-mouse button simultaneously if using Windows OS; otherwise, long-pressing with two fingers over Macbook/Chromebooks should accomplish similar results:

3. From the context menu that appears next select 'Get link.'

4. In the pop-up dialogue box under 'Link type,' choose either 'Anyone with this link can:'

- View only: This setting allows others to view but not download or edit the file.

-OR-

5. Selecting 'Download' from the same dropdown menu will grant recipients full access rights over their own copies once they've clicked through onto that particular URL.

6. Copy and paste this generated link into an email message, chat window, etc., depending on how you plan to distribute it among your target audience members! They can then simply click anywhere within text portion after receiving said communication without needing further instructions since everything should now work automatically behind scenes thanks mainly due modern web browsers' built-in features supporting such functionality out-of-the-box.

Method 2: Creating a Direct

If you prefer using shorter, more memorable links instead of long and complicated ones provided above, then you're in luck! You can create short URLs directly from within your Google Drive account by following these steps:

1. Log into your Google Account and go to the Google Drive dashboard.

2. Find the file for which you want to generate a direct download link.

3. Right-click (or long press) anywhere on the preview image or description area, then select 'Get link.'

4. In the pop-up dialogue box under 'Link type,' choose either:

- View only: This setting allows others to view but not download or edit the file.

-OR-

5. Selecting 'Download' from this same dropdown menu will grant recipients full access rights over their own copies once they've clicked through onto that particular URL.

6. Below the generated link, you'll see a 'Shorten link' option next to it (represented by two sets of three dots followed by an arrow pointing right). Clicking on this button will open up another dialogue box where you can choose your preferred shorten service from among several options such as Bitly, goo.gl etc.

7. Once selected and clicked save changes - voila! Your shortened URL is now ready to be shared with others who can then simply click anywhere within text portion after receiving said communication without needing further instructions since everything should work automatically behind scenes thanks mainly due modern web browsers' built-in features supporting such functionality out-of-the-box.

In conclusion, Google Drive provides several methods for sharing files directly through email links that recipients can use to access the content immediately. By following these simple steps outlined above (Method 1 or Method 2), you'll be able to share your files with others without requiring them to sign up for an account or deal with long download times due to slower internet connections.

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