New setting for content managers to modify shared drives now on by default

What’s changing

Last December, we announced an upcoming shared drive setting for content managers to modify shared drives. Starting today, all content managers will have the ability to share folders by default, in addition to their current capabilities of editing, reorganizing, and deleting shared drive content. 

Who’s impacted 

Admins, developers, and end users 


Why it matters 

Enabling content managers to share folders is a highly requested feature that will help organizations better manage access to their data. 


Additional details 

Only newly created shared drives will automatically inherit the new default setting based on the admin preferences. All existing shared drives will keep the old behavior, and can be updated as needed.


We’re also introducing a new Drive API method that allows developers to update the new setting for content managers to modify shared drives programmatically. For example, if you wanted to change the setting for a large number of your existing shared drives in bulk, you could write and run a script to do so or use the GAM command line tool. 


Getting started 

  • Admins: 
    • This setting is currently ON by default. To disable the setting for content managers to share folders, go to the "Sharing settings" in the Drive and Docs section of the Admin Console > scroll to the "Shared drive creation" section > change the "Allow content managers to share folders" setting to OFF. 
    • Visit the Help Center to learn more about managing shared drives as an admin. 
  • Developers: Visit the Drive developer documentation to learn more about the Introduction to Google Drive API.
  • End users: Visit the Help Center to learn more about shared drives. 

Rollout pace 

Shared drive setting 
Drive API 

Availability 

  • Available to Google Workspace Essentials, Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Fundamentals, Education Plus, Education Standard, the Teaching and Learning Upgrade, and Nonprofits, as well as legacy G Suite Business customers 
  • Not available to Google Workspace Business Starter, Frontline, and legacy G Suite Basic customers 
  • Not available to users with personal Google Accounts 

Resources


Roadmap