Google Drive for Desktop: Understanding Shared Folders with Limited Permissions

When you're working with files and folders in Google Drive, it's not uncommon to come across a situation where you've been granted permission to access a shared folder but don't have the ability to edit its contents. This can lead to frustration when trying to upload changes to the shared folder, only to receive an error message due to lack of edit permission.

In cases like these, the contents of the shared folder will not be displayed within the Google Drive for Desktop application. Instead, you'll see a limited set of options available under the 'Shared with Me' section. While this may seem restrictive at first, there are still some capabilities that can be accessed within the shared folder.

If you've been assigned either the 'Can Download' or 'Can View' permission type, you'll have the following options:

* Move files using drag and drop within the shared folder structure

* Open, sync, free up space, view online, copy link, export, delete, rename, and add/update files through an authoring application or by dragging and dropping them into the folder

However, there are certain actions that cannot be performed on the files and folders within a shared folder. These operations can only be carried out by the owner of the shared folder.

It's important to note that you cannot rename, delete, or move the shared folder itself. This is a security measure to prevent accidental changes or mismanagement of shared resources.

In summary, while working with shared folders in Google Drive for Desktop may require some adjustments, understanding the limitations and capabilities will help you effectively collaborate with others and manage your files and folders. By being aware of what actions are available and which ones are restricted, you can ensure a smooth experience when working with shared resources.

Google drive for desktop shared with me