How to Fix "Sorry, You Can't View or Download This File at This Time" Error on Google Drive
Google Drive is one of the most popular cloud storage services in the world, with over 2 billion monthly active users. It allows you to store, share, and collaborate on files from multiple devices. However, sometimes you may encounter an error message that says "Sorry, you can't view or download this file at this time" when you try to download a shared file on Google Drive. This can be frustrating, especially if you need the file urgently.
sorry you can 39;t view or download this file at this time. google drive
In this article, we will explain what causes this error and how you can bypass it easily. We will also give you some tips on how to prevent this error from happening again and suggest some of the best Google Drive alternatives for your cloud storage needs.
What Causes This Error?
The error message "Sorry, you can't view or download this file at this time" is due to Google Drive's quota limit for shared files. Google Drive offers 15 GB of free storage for each user, but it also imposes a limit on how many times a shared file can be downloaded or viewed in a certain period. This limit is not specified by Google, but it is estimated to be around 100 downloads per day.
The quota limit is triggered when too many users try to access the same file in a short period. This can happen if you share a large file publicly, such as on your website or social media account, and it attracts a lot of downloads. Alternatively, it can happen if you share a file with a large group of people, such as your colleagues or classmates, and they all try to download it at once.
When the quota limit is reached, Google Drive locks the file from further downloads or views for 24 hours or less. This is done to prevent abuse and protect the bandwidth of Google Drive. However, this also means that you and other legitimate users cannot access the file until the lock is lifted.
How to Bypass This Error?
Fortunately, there is a simple workaround that can help you bypass this error and download the file without any issues. The workaround involves creating a shortcut and a copy of the file in your own Google Drive account. By doing this, you will be able to download the file from your own account instead of from the original owner's account.
Here are the steps to follow:
Log in to your Google Drive account.
Open the link of the file that you want to download.
Click on the "Add shortcut to Drive" icon at the top right corner.
Select a folder in your drive where you want to create the shortcut and click on "Add shortcut".
Go to your drive and open the folder where you created the shortcut.
Right-click on the shortcut and select "Make a copy".
A copy of the file will be created in your drive with "(1)" added to its name.
Right-click on the copy and select "Download".
The file will start downloading to your computer.
You can also watch this video tutorial for more details:
Some alternative methods to bypass this error are:
Modifying the URL of the file. You can change the part of the URL that says "uc?export=download&" to "uc?export=download&confirm=no_antivirus&". This will skip the virus scan and allow you to download the file directly.
Using a VPN service. You can use a VPN to change your IP address and location, which may help you avoid the quota limit. However, this may not work if the file is locked globally or if the VPN service is blocked by Google.
How to Prevent This Error?
If you want to prevent this error from happening again, you can follow some of these tips:
Do not share large files publicly on Google Drive. Instead, use other cloud storage services or file-sharing platforms that have higher or no quota limits. For example, you can use Dropbox, OneDrive, Mega, or WeTransfer.
Do not share files with too many people at once on Google Drive. Instead, use smaller groups or individual links. You can also set an expiration date for the shared links to limit the access time.
Do not download files from Google Drive repeatedly or excessively. Instead, save them to your computer or another cloud storage service. You can also use offline mode or sync feature to access your files without downloading them.
Conclusion
In this article, we have explained how to fix the error message "Sorry, you can't view or download this file at this time" on Google Drive. We have also shown you how to bypass this error using a simple workaround or some alternative methods. Finally, we have given you some tips on how to prevent this error from happening again and suggested some of the best Google Drive alternatives for your cloud storage needs.
We hope you have found this article helpful and informative. If you have any feedback or questions, please feel free to leave a comment below. Thank you for reading!
FAQs
Why does Google Drive have a quota limit for shared files?
Google Drive has a quota limit for shared files to prevent abuse and protect the bandwidth of its service. The quota limit ensures that Google Drive can provide a reliable and fast service for all its users.
How long does the quota limit last?
The quota limit lasts for 24 hours or less, depending on the demand for the file. Once the quota limit is lifted, you can view or download the file normally.
How can I check the quota limit for a shared file?
You can check the quota limit for a shared file by opening the link of the file and clicking on the "Details" icon at the top right corner. You will see a message that says "Too many users have viewed or downloaded this file recently. Please try accessing the file again later." This means that the file has reached its quota limit.
Can I increase the quota limit for my shared files?
No, you cannot increase the quota limit for your shared files. The quota limit is set by Google and applies to all users equally. However, you can use other cloud storage services or file-sharing platforms that have higher or no quota limits.
What are some of the best Google Drive alternatives?
Some of the best Google Drive alternatives are:
Name
Description
Pricing
Dropbox
A cloud storage service that offers 2 GB of free storage and allows you to sync and share files across multiple devices.
$9.99/month for 2 TB
OneDrive
A cloud storage service that offers 5 GB of free storage and integrates with Microsoft Office and Windows 10.
$1.99/month for 100 GB
Mega
A cloud storage service that offers 50 GB of free storage and features end-to-end encryption and secure chat.
$5.69/month for 400 GB
WeTransfer
A file-sharing platform that allows you to send files up to 2 GB for free and up to 20 GB with a paid account.
$12/month for WeTransfer Pro
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