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how to create google drive link

To create a Google Drive link, you just need to upload (or pick) a file or folder in Drive, then use the Get link option to copy a shareable URL you can send to others.

What “Google Drive link” means

A Google Drive link is a URL that points to a file or folder stored in your Google Drive, which others can open depending on the permission you choose (view, comment, or edit). This is what you paste into an email, chat, document, or website so people can access the content without you sending the file itself.

How to create a Google Drive link (computer)

Step-by-step for a file

  1. Go to drive.google.com and sign in to your Google account.
  1. Find the file you want to share (document, PDF, image, video, etc.).
  1. Right-click the file and select Get link.
  1. In the window that appears, under General access , choose:
    • Restricted – only people you explicitly add can open it
    • Anyone with the link – anyone who has the link can access it (good for broader sharing)
  1. Choose the role:
    • Viewer – can only see the file
    • Commenter – can comment (Docs/Sheets/Slides, etc.)
    • Editor – can edit the file
  1. Click Copy link , then Done.
  1. Paste that link wherever you want (email, chat, forum, website, etc.).

Step-by-step for a folder

  1. In Google Drive, create or locate the folder you want to share.
  1. Right-click the folder and click Share or Get link.
  1. Under General access , choose Anyone with the link if you want open access.
  1. Set the permission:
    • Viewer – people can only see files inside
    • Editor (or similar wording) – people can add, delete, or move files in the folder
  1. Click Copy link and share it wherever you need.

How to create a Google Drive link (mobile app)

The exact wording can vary slightly by version, but the idea is the same.

  1. Open the Google Drive app on your phone or tablet and sign in.
  2. Tap the three dots (⋮ or more options) next to the file or folder.
  3. Tap Copy link or Link sharing / Manage access.
  4. If needed, change access from Restricted to Anyone with the link , and choose Viewer / Commenter / Editor.
  5. The link is now copied and you can paste it into any app (WhatsApp, email, notes, etc.).

Common link types and when to use them

[7][9] [3][7]
Link type What it does When to use
Restricted link Only people you explicitly add (by email) can open it. Work documents, private files, anything confidential.
Anyone with the link – Viewer Anyone who gets the link can see, but not change, the content.Sharing PDFs, videos, and read-only files publicly.
Anyone with the link – Editor Anyone with the link can edit or modify files or folders.Collaborative projects, shared team folders (only with trusted people).

Extra: Creating a direct download link (optional)

Sometimes you want the link to trigger a download instead of opening the Drive preview. Tools and simple URL tweaks can turn a normal sharing link like
https://drive.google.com/file/d/FILE_ID/view?usp=sharing
into a direct-download link like
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=FILE_ID.

Some online generators let you paste your normal share URL and they automatically build that direct download URL by extracting the file ID between /d/ and /view in the original link.

Quick “forum-style” recap

If you just need a quick answer:
Right‑click your file in Google Drive → Get link → set Anyone with the link (if you want it public) → choose Viewer or Editor → Copy link → paste wherever you want.

Bottom note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.