How to Leave a Shared Google Drive Folder on PC or Mac
Google Drive is a powerful platform for sharing and collaborating on files. However, sometimes you may need to leave a shared folder for various reasons such as transferring ownership, ending a collaborative project, or simply removing your access to shared content. This article will guide you through the process of leaving a shared Google Drive folder on both PC and Mac.
Steps to Leave a Shared Google Drive Folder on PC
Leaving a shared Google Drive folder on a PC involves a few straightforward steps:
Open Google Drive in Your Internet Browser
Begin by opening Google Drive in your web browser. Type into your browser's address bar and press Enter or Return on your keyboard. If you are not already logged in, enter your email and password to sign into your Google account.
Locate and Right-Click the Shared Folder
Once you are in Google Drive, navigate to the shared folder you wish to leave. Right-click on the folder to open a drop-down menu.
Select Share in the Drop-Down Menu
In the drop-down menu, click on the 'Share' option, which is listed next to a gray figurehead icon. This will open the folder's sharing settings in a new pop-up window.
Access Advanced Sharing Settings
Within the pop-up window, find and click on the 'Advanced' option located in the lower-right corner of the window. This will display a list of all individuals who have access to the shared folder.
Remove Yourself from the Folder
Under the 'People' section, find your name in the list. Click the gray 'X' icon next to your name. Your name will be grayed out, indicating that you have been removed from the folder.
Save Your Changes
Click the 'Save Changes' button located in the lower-left corner of the pop-up window. A new confirmation window will appear.
Confirm Your Action
Click on the 'Yes' button in the confirmation window. This will finalize the action, and your name will be removed from the shared folder. The folder will also be deleted from your Google Drive.
Steps to Leave a Shared Google Drive Folder on Mac
The process remains largely the same on a Mac, but here are specific steps for clarity:
Open Google Drive in Safari or Chrome
Launch Google Drive in your preferred web browser: Safari, Chrome, or Firefox. Follow the same step of entering the URL and logging into your Google account.
Locate the Shared Folder
Navigate to the shared folder you want to leave on the Google Drive interface.
Right-Click and Select Share
Right-click on the folder and choose 'Share' from the context menu.
Access Advanced Sharing Settings
In the sharing settings, click on 'Advanced'. This will show all users with access to the folder.
Remove Yourself from the Folder
Find your name in the list and click the 'X' icon next to it. You will be removed from the list, and your access to the folder will be revoked.
Save Your Changes
Click the 'Save' button at the bottom of the window. Confirm the action by clicking 'Yes' if a confirmation dialog appears.
Conclusion
Leaving a shared Google Drive folder is a simple procedure that can be completed in just a few minutes. Whether you are working on a project and need to switch teams, or you are leaving your position in a company, following these steps will ensure that you are properly removed from the shared folder.
Remember, if you are the owner of the shared folder, you will need to transfer ownership to another user before leaving. You can do this by selecting 'Change' next to your name and selecting a new owner from the list of collaborators.