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I need to share a link with a specific user and make sure they can't download its contents.
I wish the Transfer feature had a way to send a viewable link that you can't download.
I have some files that I need to send securely ASAP, but I by just sharing one file normally, I can limit downloads, but not the users able to access them. When I try to secure the link with the "Only People Invited" option, they still have download permission if they access through the email invitation.
I tried Transfer, but you can't block downloads.
It would be great if there was a way to have both: a limited access option where you grant specific people access, that also prevents downloads.
Thanks for the screenshot, filmprodperson! It really helps.
I also had a look with our team in the meantime and could confirm that this is indeed expected behavior. While you can disable downloads for a shared link with view-only permissions, inviting someone to it via email will also allow them to add the file to their own Dropbox account, in which case the file can be later on downloaded on the recipient’s end.
I can pass this as feedback though to our team, as I understand that you wanted those two features to work together.
7 Replies
Hello filmprodperson
What is the file type for which you are looking to disable downloads? Dropbox currently offers this feature to disable downloads for a shared link, but only for certain file types, for which it implements preview functionality in the browser (so that recipients of the shared link can see the content in the browser, but not download the file). This feature is only available for customers on Dropbox Professional, Essentials, Standard, Advanced, Business, Business Plus, and Enterprise.Hope this helps,
Andrew (DBoxTips)P.S. I am a volunteer on the Dropbox forums, freely and happily sharing know-how with other users, not affiliated with Dropbox in any way.
This is for a PDF file, and I am on an Enterprise plan.
The other issue is that I want to grant access to just one person, so that they can't share the link externally either. When selecting "Only People Invited," it still emails the added users a link as well, which DOES allow them to download, even if you select the toggle on the copyable link to block downloads. The toggle button does not seem to apply to all users given "view only" permission--it only works if you access specifically via that copyable link.
- Nancy
Dropbox Community Moderator
Hey filmprodperson, hope you don’t mind me jump in. I’d just like to ask a few more details when it comes to the "only people invited” setting that you mention. Can you send me a screenshot of the options you see perhaps, so that I may have a visual?
As for disabling downloads for shared links, please keep in mind that users will still be able to save the files to their Dropbox account, even if they can’t directly download them to their device.
Hi Nancy,
Sure thing, image is attached here.
Also good to know about users adding files to their own Dropbox. Thank you!
- Nancy
Thanks for the screenshot, filmprodperson! It really helps.
I also had a look with our team in the meantime and could confirm that this is indeed expected behavior. While you can disable downloads for a shared link with view-only permissions, inviting someone to it via email will also allow them to add the file to their own Dropbox account, in which case the file can be later on downloaded on the recipient’s end.
I can pass this as feedback though to our team, as I understand that you wanted those two features to work together.
Amazing, thanks so much for passing this along and for your help!
- Nancy
My pleasure! If you need something else, feel free to let me know.
