Unexpected behavior of sharing a link OR I need a refresher course on how to use links

[SweetTasha]

I uploaded a file, clicked the COPY LINK, and pasted into an email. The recipient said that it would download until he logged in or signed up. I open the link myself and, it asked if I wanted to continue as SweetTasha. Here's where perhaps the "referesher course" comes in. I thought all I or someone I gave the link to just opened it and it open the file. No?

I don't remember seeing this screen.

Thanks for you help.
SweetTasha

[Megan]

Hi @SweetTasha, happy Monday! 

Someone with a shared link, used to be able to view and download content. In regards to your screenshot questions, yes the "Copy link" option, and the chain icon is the same thing.

However, another additional note, that might be helpful is that depending on your settings, now shared links allow you to edit content. You can see more about that here.

If you have any questions, let me know!

[SweetTasha]

Megan,

Thanks for your reply.

Am I correct then, that the recipient of a Dropbox link must either sign in (if they are already a Dropbox user), or sign up?

SweetTasha.

[Hannah]

Hey @SweetTasha, sorry to jump in here!

If the link that was created, was a "can edit" link, they'd need to sign in or sign up.

If the link was a "can view" one, there would be no such need.

When you click on the "copy link" option, do you see a message that says "allows editing"?

If so, you can click on the "share" button instead and then change the setting from "Anyone with this link: can edit" to "can view".