Google Shared Drives


A Google Shared Drive is a shared space where:

  • Members of a shared drive share ownership of any files and folders.
  • If someone leaves the shared drive, any files they added will stay.
  • If the owner, creator, or manager of the shared drive leaves the institution, the shared drive and any files they contributed will stay.
  • You can still share files and folder with a link or invite.


Google Shared Drives

Any faculty, staff, or currently enrolled student can create a shared drive.

Create a shared drive

  1. Click the Google Drive link on https://inside.ewu.edu  
  2. On the left, click Shared drives.
  3. At the top left, click New.
  4. Enter a name for the shared drive.
  5. Click Create.

Add Members

Shared Drive managers can add members to the drive.

  1. Click the Google Drive link on https://inside.ewu.edu  
  2. At the left, click Shared drives and double-click one of your shared drives.
  3. At the top, click + Add members.
  4. Add names, email addresses, or a Google Group.
    • By default, new members will be Content managers. They can upload, edit, move, or delete all files.
  5. To change:
    • Access for new members, click the Down arrow Down Arrow and choose an option.
    • Whether new members get notified, click Skip sending notification.
  6. Click Send.

Manage or Remove Members

Shared Drive managers can remove members or change their rights.

  1. Click the Google Drive link on https://inside.ewu.edu  
  2. At the left, click Shared drives and double-click one of your shared drives.
  3. At the top, next to the name of your shared drive, click the Down arrow Down Arrow.
  4. Click Manage Members.
  5. To the right of the person you want to change, click the Down arrow Down Arrow.
  6. Click one of the options.
  7. Click Done.

Types of Members

  • Members of Google Shared Drives can have any one of these roles.
  • Manager: Can manage members, and upload, edit, move, or delete all files.
  • Content Manager: By default, can upload, edit, move, or delete all files.
  • Contributor: Edit all files and upload new files, but can’t move or delete files.
  • Commenter: Can only comment on all files.
  • Viewer: Can only view all files.


Role
 Manage Members
 Move & Delete
 Edit & Upload
 Comment
 View Files
Manager
 ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅
 ✅
Content Manager
 ❌
 ✅
 ✅
 ✅ ✅
Contributor
 ❌
 ❌
 ✅
 ✅
 ✅
Commenter
 ❌ ❌
 ❌
 ✅
 ✅
Viewer ❌ ❌
 ❌
 ❌ ✅


More Options

Additional options are available. To learn more about Google Shared Drives, review this article from Google.

If you need any further assistance please view our Service Catalog for other Knowledge Base articles or contact the IT Help Desk via Phone: 509.359.2247 or Email: helpdesk@ewu.edu