How To Make A Direct Download Link

Edited on 10/21/2020

This commodity was edited on 10/21/2020 to reflect the latest update used by Google Drive URL formats.

A few years back we released a web log post on how to add a download counter to your Google Drive download links . Part of that mail focused on how to share your documents via Google Bulldoze and create a direct download link. Since then nosotros have had many people ask us nigh the direct download link and the features. Almost a year ago, and again merely a few months ago, Google Drive made some changes to the way they handle sharing files. In this postal service I will be explaining the answer to our near asked question concerning Google Drive, "How can I easily create a straight download link in Google Bulldoze?"

Straight download? What's the purpose?

There are some people that utilize Google Bulldoze as a gateway to larger files for their clients (like nosotros do), or sometimes you just want an easy way to send someone a file. They click on the Google Bulldoze link and are greeted with this (image to the correct).

First off, from a business stand up point, it is very unprofessional when your customers have to be redirected from your folio to Google Drive. Information technology is even worse when the file the customer is downloading is not even downloaded correct away, instead information technology is outset previewed past Google Drive. This causes actress confusion and an extra pace to obtain that the customers need to figure out just to obtain their file. I am sorry, but I personally run a 'keep it simple' mentality when it comes to my concern. If I send a customer a link to their production, I expect that when they click on that link that the file volition exist downloaded, not previewed.

2d, from a personal stand point, being able to transport a file and not have to worry about if the receiver can effigy out how to download it is a major plus. There are many reasons why creating a straight link to a file is useful, and luckily there is an easy way to do this.

How to create a download link with Google Drive.

Beginning off, Google Drive does not allow the user to create a direct download link natively. You will need to alter the URL of your shared file to enable directly download. At that place are two methods of creating a straight download link; with a third-party application or by yourself. To create a straight download link follow the steps below. Offset is the steps to upload and share a file via Google Bulldoze, which always has to exist done earlier you lot can create a direct download link.

Upload your file into Google Drive.
Right Click on your file and select 'Get Link'
In the new window, make certain that the link is available for 'Anyone with the link'
Click the 'Copy Link'

Now comes the methods of converting this link to a directly download.

Method 1: Altering the URL

How to Alter the URL manually

When you have your Google Drive Sharable Link copied you will need to paste the link somewhere and then you can edit it. I propose Notepad as it will be easy to meet and edit without creating a clickable link. Your Sharable URL should await something similar this:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rRwZ-819_SBkjYNClAOpj_mhlYViMUtH/view?usp=sharing

To change this into a straight link you will need to change quite a bit.

First, you lot volition need to look at the ID number of the file. In the example in a higher place, the ID number is in cherry:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rRwZ-819_SBkjYNClAOpj_mhlYViMUtH/view?usp=sharing

You will now need to modify your URL to the following:

https://bulldoze.google.com/uc?id= OUR_FILE_ID &export=download

Your new URL should look like this:

https://bulldoze.google.com/uc?id=1rRwZ-819_SBkjYNClAOpj_mhlYViMUtH&export=download

How does this piece of work?

How this works is by telling Google, via a URL, what to practise with the file instead of previewing information technology. The 'uc' stands for 'User Control' , in which you lot are telling Google that the User will exist Controlling what is to be done with the file. You lot then specify which file (the file ID) that you are going to be controlling, so finally finish information technology off by telling Google what you lot are going to be doing with the file; 'export=download' .

Now when your customer or family member clicks on the link they will be directed to the file itself and not Google Bulldoze default user interface.

The not so good side about doing it yourself…

This method does have drawbacks. This will merely work with files; not Google Docs, Slides, Presentations, Sheets or Folders. Simply files. And, this is rather time consuming when yous have a bunch of files you need converted over. Luckily, there is a much easier, and faster, mode that does allow for shareable URLS for any file/folder, including Docs, Sheets and Slides.

Method 2: Third Party Application

To a higher place I explained how to complete this task on your ain, now I am going to show you how easy information technology tin can be with a third-party application, Chiliad-Drive Linker. G-Drive Linker is a quick, copy and paste for converting your sharable links that converts them instantly into a direct links for download or viewing. If you have a massive amount of files that y'all desire to generate links for at once, merely put those files in a folder, re-create the folder URL and paste it into One thousand-Drive Linker. 1000-Drive Linker is currently the but product that will search and create direct links for folders, files in the folder and even folders contained inside of that binder.

G-Drive Linker is perfect for anyone who shares files but doesn't want to waste valuable fourth dimension converting URL's by hand. Personally, I have used G-Drive Linker several times for just random stuff. Non only do I use it for business organization, but I besides accept establish myself using it for my mean solar day job. Beingness a schoolhouse teacher it is great for sending students directly links to documents. To an even better extent, my wife has used it at her job working for the local newspaper.

Trust me when I say it is a time saver that you do not realize you need, until y'all need it. I apply to make these by mitt because, 'oh, I only need ane now, no big deal, just a few minutes to make 1', but then one turned into two, then five, then ten, then an entire binder for a class. Information technology got fifty-fifty worse when I started making thousands of sharable links, individually. The amount of time this application saves pays for itself in not time. No, really. Mainly because, it'southward a fraction of the price it would cost to pay someone to practice the work for you.

What about those online websites that generate download links?

Information technology is true, there are a couple websites that can do direct download links for files also, but those websites are cipher more than a quick JavaScript that does what was explained higher up in the 'do it yourself' section. They are all limited to the same drawbacks equally that method, with one added actress drawback that scares the business organisation owner side of me to decease. Because these methods are online websites, they are ultimately insecure. By posting your personalized link onto a website, which is using JavaScipt (one of the easiest programming languages, and not in a good fashion) yous are opening your file up for anyone who has access to that website to see, or, anyone who knows how to modify Coffee (ie. a LOT of people). Yard-Drive Linker not just gives y'all added features that the other online options exercise non, but information technology is likewise the simply offline application that can generate these direct links for you. That correct. The basic functionality of G-Drive Linker can be completed offline. In fact, you can even set it to Offline style in the carte settings. This will limit you to merely single file/dr./sheets/slides conversions, but that is yet more than yous would get with the online converters.

How to use One thousand-Drive Linker:

Open up G-Drive Linker
Paste your previously copied Sharable Link from Google Drive into the provided section.
Your Directly Download Link is automatically created. You are ready to re-create the new link and ship it on its way.
(optional) If you would like to add together the file to a list for quick CSV consign, or fast download, click 'Add to list'. This will add together the file to the list at the bottom of the application, assuasive you lot to consign, test the link or download the list straight

If you are wanting to convert folders and all of its contents, merely paste the shareable link in the same way as before. A notification will tell you lot to be in 'Online Style' and to click 'Add to list' to generate the links. The folder URL will be traveled too, all the contained documents will be organized and displayed with download links in the data table at the bottom. Once completed a file tree view volition too be populated on the correct with shareable folder links for each of the folders contained in the URL your provided.

Its that elementary. Another slap-up thing about One thousand-Bulldoze Linker is that the trial version offers full functionality for single use download links, including Files, Docs, Sheets and Slides. Basically, the trial version gives yous more than the free online generators, with the added protection of knowing your files are safety. If you only need to create a direct link one time in a blue moon the trial should exist all you ever need.

Example

Want to see what an export looks similar? I converted this over simply for use in this blog post: Case CSV Consign

The higher up is the same link shown here ( https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1LbeZLVlovga8YT8quaOqw6LZs7ySUbRa?usp=sharing ) and is also the aforementioned link shown in the picture on the right. Go ahead, double check and see for yourself. All of those links were generated in less than v seconds. Pretty nifty!

Overview:

In that location are many reasons why you might desire to have a directly download link to your Google Drive documents, and there are means to accomplish this task. Editing the URL yourself can cost you valuable time. Using online converters can compromise your data to hackers and other users. There is only 1 awarding available that converts these Google Bulldoze sharable links deeply, in majority, with folders, docs, slides, sheets, and does information technology instantly, without leaving your files venerable to web-attacks. Yard-Bulldoze Linker is a cheap, price constructive way to salve yous fourth dimension and keep your files safety within of Google Drive with the functionality of a Direct Download Link.

If you lot do non need the total version, the trial version has you lot covered as well. With more functionality than the insecure online generators, in that location is no reason not to employ G-Drive Linker. The trial is free and has the option to work completely offline. No other direct download link generator offers that.