Folders and limited access

Inside a shared drive, every member can see everything by default. Access flows down from the drive to every folder. There are two ways to make an exception.

Open a folder to more people

A Manager can share one folder with a person or group who is not a member of the drive. Content managers can do the same if the drive setting Allow content managers to share folders is on.

Close a folder to some members

Limited-access folders arrived in 2025. When a Manager turns on Limit access for a folder, only the people added directly to that folder can open it.

1. 1Step 1. Right-click the folder and choose Share.
2. 2Step 2. Click the settings gear in the Share window.
3. 3Step 3. Turn on Limit access.
4. 4Step 4. Add the group that should be allowed in.

• It works on folders only. A single file cannot be limited.
• Other drive members still see the folder's name. They cannot open it, and they can request access.
• Managers of the drive can never be shut out of a limited folder.
• To protect one file, put it in a limited-access folder.

Very large groups

A shared drive is hidden from a member's sidebar automatically when it is shared directly with a group of more than 1,000 people, or indirectly with more than 2,500. They can still open it by link.