Published 2021-02-18 by TechNet New England
Google Drive makes sharing files and folders easy, but choosing the right permission level matters for security. ## Share a File or Folder 1. Open **Google Drive** (drive.google.com). 2. Right-click the file or folder you want to share. 3. Click **Share > Share**. 4. Enter the email address of the person you want to share with. 5. Choose the permission level: **Viewer**: Can view but not edit or comment. **Commenter**: Can view and add comments but not edit. **Editor**: Can view, edit, and share with others. 6. Optionally add a message. 7. Click **Send**. ## Share a Link Instead of sharing with specific people, you can create a shareable link: 1. Right-click the file > **Share > Share**. 2. Under "General access," change from **Restricted** to **Anyone with the link**. 3. Choose the permission level (Viewer, Commenter, or Editor). 4. Click **Copy link** and send it to the person. **Security note:** "Anyone with the link" means exactly that. Anyone who has the link can access the file. Use this for non-sensitive content only. For sensitive files, share with specific email addresses. ## Share a Folder Sharing a folder shares everything inside it, including files added later. 1. Right-click the folder > **Share > Share**. 2. Add people or create a link, same as with files. 3. Files inside the folder inherit the folder's sharing settings. ## Check Who Has Access 1. Right-click the file or folder > **Share > Share**. 2. You will see everyone who has access and their permission level. 3. To remove someone, click the dropdown next to their name and select **Remove access**. ## Stop Sharing 1. Right-click > **Share > Share**. 2. Change "Anyone with the link" back to **Restricted**. 3. Remove individual people by clicking their permission dropdown and selecting **Remove access**. ## Common Mistakes **Sharing with "Anyone with the link" and forgetting about it.** Periodically review shared files and remove access that is no longer needed. **Sharing a folder instead of a file.** If you share a folder, everything in it is shared, including files you add later. Be intentional about what goes in shared folders. **Giving Editor access when Viewer is sufficient.** Only give edit access to people who need to make changes.