Need to see if your shared folder is taking up space on your dropbox 👨‍💻? Find out how to check here.

Forum Discussion

Eya_Design's avatar
Eya_Design
New member | Level 2
4 years ago
Solved

Can't disable downloads on a shared link

Hello! I wanted to ask i've been trying to change settings for a share link iv'e created so who ever gets this link won't be able to download the file, but the setting won't allow me to change it - T...
desktop
Download
Share
Shared Links
  • Jay's avatar
    Jay
    4 years ago
    Hi Eya_Design, thanks for providing these details!

    The feature of disabling downloads on shared links is available for Dropbox Professional and Business plans.

    Are you currently on a Dropbox Basic, Plus or Family plan?

    This will help me to assist further!
Jay's avatar
Jay
Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
4 years ago

Hi Jonny_Liebs, I understand your frustration over this matter.

 

First of all, did you enable the option to invite specific members to the shared folder, as well as disabling downloads?

 

Could you attach a screenshot showing your link settings, while hiding any personal info?

Jonny_Liebs's avatar
Jonny_Liebs
Explorer | Level 3
4 years ago

Yes I did enable the option to invite specific members to the shared folder, as well as disabling downloads.  But then when I share the link for viewing, the person who I share it with can easily download every file in the folder.  

 

Here is a screenshot of the settings for Link for Viewing:

 

 

 

  • Jay's avatar
    Jay
    Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
    4 years ago

    When you invite users to the shared link, you're actually inviting them to join the shared folder, which means it's added to their account so the files are then downloaded.

    • Jonny_Liebs's avatar
      Jonny_Liebs
      Explorer | Level 3
      4 years ago

      I don't understand your reply. Can you elaborate? 

      So what does it mean to disable downloading?

      Am I doing something wrong?

      Are you saying there is no way to share the folder with other people in a way where they cannot download?

      What does the "Disable Downloads" feature mean -- if it doesn't allow me to do that?

    • Jonny_Liebs's avatar
      Jonny_Liebs
      Explorer | Level 3
      4 years ago

      Jay -- I wrote a reply to you 9 hours ago and haven't heard back. Can you elaborate?  I thought Dropbox had a feature that allows a Professional User to share a folder in a way where the invited people can view the files, but cannot download them and cannot forward a link to other people.

      • Jay's avatar
        Jay
        Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
        4 years ago

        The invite feature allows you to share a folder with a user, however, this is a normal shared folder, and not a shared link.

         

        It's only possible to disable downloads on shared links, meaning they can't be shared folders. 

About View, download, and export

Node avatar for View, download, and export
Need support with viewing, downloading, and exporting files and folders from your Dropbox account? Find help from the Dropbox Community.

The Dropbox Community team is active from Monday to Friday. We try to respond to you as soon as we can, usually within 2 hours.

If you need more help you can view your support options (expected response time for an email or ticket is 24 hours), or contact us on X, Facebook or Instagram.

For more info on available support options for your Dropbox plan, see this article.

If you found the answer to your question in this Community thread, please 'like' the post to say thanks and to let us know it was useful!