Manage the link-sharing security update for files

To make file sharing more secure, URLs for some files and folders in Google Drive include a resource key by default. This security measure, which appears in a file’s URL, helps protect your file from unintended access. To see if a file URL has a resource key, look for resourcekey=. Files created in Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides don’t have the resource key.

Apply or remove the security update for files

1. Sign in with an administrator account to the Google Admin console.

   If you aren’t using an administrator account, you can’t access the Admin console.

2. Go to Menu  Apps > Google Workspace > Drive and Docs.

   Requires having the Service Settings administrator privilege.

3. Click Sharing settingsSecurity update for files.
4. Choose how to apply the update:
   • Apply the security update to all impacted files. If you previously removed the security update and are now turning it on:
     • Access to affected files doesn’t change for people who already viewed those files or who have direct access.
     • For any internal sites or documentation that has links, make sure to update those links to new ones that include resource keys.
   • Remove security update from all impacted files (not recommended)
5. (Optional if applying the update) To let users remove or apply the update to files that they own or manage, check the allow box. Note: Users with Google Workspace for Education licenses are never allowed to remove the update.
6. Click Save.