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Forum Discussion
Copy link button creates an edit link on a view file
I made a folder that has a view link. When clicking the copy link button, it enables an edit link which I do not want, I want it strictly view only. Is there a way to change this default action? How ...
Megan
Dropbox Community Moderator
Dropbox Community ModeratorHi patb1, let's jump right into this!
As a first step, can you walk me through the steps that you follow, when sharing the link with your colleagues?
Have you tried the steps mentioned above in this thread, by jstdbx which is to access the link's settings, and change it accordingly? If so, would you mind sharing some screenshots of the link's settings with me, in order to have a visual?
Keep me posted!
Hi Megan,
In the past, I just right-clicked on the item and copied the link.
Here's the process I used this time. First on a word document:
And when I paste the link into my browser, I see this top toolbar (as I should).
Now I repeat the process with a pdf:
And when I paste the link into my browser, I get a control bar with edit options.
I would like to be able to go back to just right-clicking and copying a link, but I am nervous, given that there was no warning when those links suddenly switched to 'edit' links after being 'view' links for so many years. I'd appreciate advice on that as well.
Thank you,
Pat
- Jay
Hi patb1, it looks like you're still signed into your account when accessing the shared link, as it says that you have access to the file.
Could you try opening the link from an incognito/private browsing window, while not signed into your account, to see if you get any different options?
Hi Jay,
When I open the 'view' link from a private window, when logged out, it gives me the non-editing toolbar.
When I send it to a student, they get a window without the edit option. But when they open it from inside moodle, they get the edit option.
The links are the same except for the part that comes after the 'php?'. Could that be the problem?
That doesn't seem to be the issue, because when I tried it again with a private window I got the same results with the identical link.
For years, I have used the right-click function in Windows Explorer to copy and share links to files for student use. My default Dropbox settings clearly say "View only." It is only this past year that I have found that students have been able to edit the files without downloading them, including on a spreadsheet shared for the final exam. This is, as others have said, a significant breach.
I need to continue using the Explorer interface; logging into the the online server each time I want to share a link is tedious and impractical. Like the original poster to this thread, I no longer trust Dropbox as I have in the past. Is there a solution?- Hannah
Hey slruss63, thanks for taking the time to post your feedback to our Community.
Can you take a look at these steps and let me know if they help?
