In this article, we’ll show you how to make a direct download link for Google Drive files that can be easily downloaded from anywhere.

Step 1: Copy the sharing link

The first step is to locate the Google Drive file or folder you want to share and copy the sharing link. To do this, right-click on the file or folder and select “Get link”. Then click on “Copy link”, as shown in the image below.

Step 2: Modify the sharing link

The sharing link that you just copied is not a direct download link. It’s a link that takes the user to a page where they can view the file and then download it. In order to create a direct download link, you need to modify this link a bit.

First, change the “/view” at the end of the URL to “/uc”. Then, remove everything after and including the “d/” in the middle of the link. Finally, replace the “open” at the end of the link with “download”.

For example, if your sharing link is: https://drive.google.com/file/d/abc123/view?usp=sharing

Then your new direct download link would be: https://drive.google.com/uc?id=abc123&export=download

Step 3: Test your direct download link

Once you’ve created your direct download link, test it to make sure it works as intended. Paste the link into an incognito window in your browser (or a different browser than the one you’re currently using) to make sure the link is available to the public. This step is important to ensure that anyone with the link can access and download the file.

Step 4: Share your direct download link

Now that you’ve created and tested your direct download link, you can share it with others. You can send the link via email or any instant messaging app, and the recipient can download the file by clicking on the link.

Final thoughts

Creating a direct download link for Google Drive files can be extremely helpful, especially when you need to share a file with someone quickly and securely. By following the steps above, you can create a direct download link and share it with others in just a few minutes.