---
title: Reviewing File Sharing Permissions in Google Drive
description: "As a Google Workspace user, you can review who has access to the files and folders you own or have permission to share in Google Drive. ### How to Check Who Has Access to a File or Folder: 1. **Open…"
url: "https://digital.attachex.com/docs/reviewing-file-sharing-permissions-in-google-drive/"
updated: "2025-05-17"
category: Using Google Workspace / Using Google Drive
---

# Reviewing File Sharing Permissions in Google Drive

As a Google Workspace user, you can review who has access to the files and folders you own or have permission to share in Google Drive.

### How to Check Who Has Access to a File or Folder:

1. **Open Google Drive:** Go to `drive.google.com`.
2. **Select a File or Folder:** Click on the specific file or folder for which you want to review sharing permissions.
3. **Method 1: Using the "Share" Dialogue:**
   - **Right-click** on the selected file or folder.
   - Select **`Share`** from the context menu (or click the "Share" icon - a person with a `+` - in the toolbar if the item is selected).
   - The "Share" dialogue box will open.
     - **"People with access" section:** This section lists the specific individuals and Google Groups who have been directly granted access. Their permission level (Viewer, Commenter, Editor) will be displayed next to their name or email.
     - **"General access" section:** This section shows the link-sharing settings. It will indicate if the file/folder is "Restricted" (only explicitly added people can access), shared with "Your Organisation," or shared with "Anyone with the link." The permission level for link-based access is also shown here.
   - From this dialogue, you can:
     - Change the permission level for existing collaborators by clicking the dropdown next to their name.
     - Remove access for a specific person or group by clicking the dropdown next to their name and selecting "Remove access."
     - Modify the "General access" link-sharing settings.
4. **Method 2: Using the "View details" Panel:**
   - With the file or folder selected, click the **"View details"** icon (an "i" in a circle) in the top right toolbar of Google Drive.
   - A panel will open on the right side of the screen.
     - Select the **"Details"** tab. Under the "Sharing" or "Who has access" sub-section, you can often see a summary of sharing.
     - Select the **"Activity"** tab. This tab shows a history of actions performed on the file/folder, which can include sharing events (e.g., "User X shared an item with User Y"). This can be useful for understanding how sharing permissions have changed over time.

### Reviewing Access to Shared Drives:

- If you are a member of a Shared Drive, you can see other members and their roles.
- Open the Shared Drive.
- Click the Shared Drive name at the top.
- Select **`Manage members`**. This will list all members and their assigned roles (Viewer, Commenter, Contributor, Content Manager, Manager).
- Only Managers of a Shared Drive can add/remove members or change their roles.

Regularly reviewing who has access to your important files and folders is a good security practice, especially for sensitive information.