To share files via Google Drive and without the need for others to offer their e-mail-address to you, you have to set it up this way:
This is your current setting, only good if you want to share your files to a restricted group of users, it is usually not suitable for a forum. The padlock-symbol says that the access to this file is restricted. Please click on the little black downward pointing triangle:
A drop-down menu will now open, and you have currently selected the top option “restricted”, but you must select the bottom option “Everyone who has this link”:
If you want to share a file without access-restrictions, you have to select the
lower option that says “Everyone, who has this link” (or similar, I had to translate it):
After you select the lower option, the drop-down menu will close, and you will see a green globe icon to indicate that “the world” now has free access to your file.
This is exactly what you want when you share a file via Google Drive in a forum:
This is how you can share a file via Google Drive openly.
Add/Edit 1:
As @AhabGreybeard mentioned below, it’s a good idea to always check that the link you’ve created works as intended by opening it in your browser and trying to download the file you provide.
Add/Edit 2: As @Takiro mentioned below, you should always test whether the link works or not in a private tab/window or another browser to avoid accidentally gaining access to the file, as Google Drive recognizes you as a logged-in user. In this case, another browser must of course not be logged in to Google either, otherwise the same dilemma could arise.
Michelist
