Metadata Consulting [blog] ca: How to get a Google GDrive Direct Download Link

Thursday, September 7, 2017

How to get a Google GDrive Direct Download Link

GDrive Direct File Download URL Maker

I get asked all the time to by my clients to provide a way to direct download URL to a file and NOT preview the file in the Google Drive pre-viewer, especially if the file is large. It's often very confusing for novice users to have preview mode of file, such as PDF files which launch a separate user GDrive interface.

Moreover, if the file is over 100Mb, the preview appears too slowly for most users, and they'll abandon the file.

So I came up with this online mini "App", it takes a GDrive Share Link and returns the direct download URL for that file, without a GDrive preview. It handles both Share and get shareable link menu items (see image below).

GDrive Direct File Download URL Maker

Paste Gdrive Share link below

Now, Click on Get Gdrive Direct Download Link button.

Text-box will be highlighted so you can copy the full link. To copy, right-click and choose "Copy" or simply (ctrl-c) to copy link. Note: Entire URL is automatic selected for your convenience.