How to Configure Organization-Wide Shared Drives Settings in Google Workspace

Quick and easy-to-follow guide for Google Workspace administrators

Default shared drive settings you can control as the admin

As a Google Workspace admin, you can configure the default restriction settings for all new shared drives. You can:

  • Prevent users from creating shared drives
  • Prevent members with the Manager permission level from modifying settings
  • Prevent people outside your Google Workspace from accessing files in the shared drive
  • Prevent non-members of shared drives from accessing files
  • Prevent commenters and viewers from downloading, copying, and printing files

How to manage your organization’s global shared drive settings step-by-step with images

Step 1

How To Configure Organization-Wide Shared Drives Settings in Google Workspace - Step 1

In the Admin console at https://admin.google.com, click the Apps icon.

Step 2

How To Configure Organization-Wide Shared Drives Settings in Google Workspace - Step 2

Select Google Workspace.

Step 3

How To Configure Organization-Wide Shared Drives Settings in Google Workspace - Step 3

Click Drive and Docs. Make sure not to check the box to the left; just click the name.

Step 4

How To Configure Organization-Wide Shared Drives Settings in Google Workspace - Step 4

Select Sharing settings.

Step 5

How To Configure Organization-Wide Shared Drives Settings in Google Workspace - Step 5

Click Shared drive creation.

Step 6

How To Configure Organization-Wide Shared Drives Settings in Google Workspace - Step 6

Check/uncheck the boxes here to enable/disable settings and click SAVE. Changes can take up to 24 hours.

If you uncheck Allow members with manager access to override the settings below, you allow shared drive Managers to bypass your restrictions when updating shared drives’ settings.

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