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Google Drive is a powerful tool for storing, sharing, and collaborating on files, but sometimes you may want to share a file with others in a way that allows them to download it directly, without having to open the file in Google Drive first. While Google Drive doesn't offer a built-in "direct download" option, there is a simple workaround that enables you to create a direct download link for any file stored on your Drive.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to create a Google Drive direct download link:

Step 1: Upload the File to Google Drive

The first step is to upload the file you want to share to your Google Drive account.

1. Go to Google Drive and sign in to your account.
2. Click on the "+ New" button on the left side of the screen.
3. Select File upload or Folder upload (depending on what you're sharing), and choose the file from your device that you want to upload.

Step 2: Get the Shareable Link

Once your file is uploaded to Google Drive, you need to obtain the shareable link.

1. Right-click on the file you want to share.
2. Select Get link from the dropdown menu.
3. In the pop-up window, make sure the link sharing settings are set to "Anyone with the link" or "Anyone with the link can view" (this will ensure that others can access the file).
4. Copy the generated link.

Step 3: Modify the Link for Direct Download

Now, the link you copied will take users to a Google Drive preview page, but we want to modify it so it starts the download directly. To do this:

1. The original link will look something like this: