Google Drive Bulk Permission Updater

WHAT IT DOES

Google Drive Bulk Permission Updater solves a critical file management challenge: updating sharing permissions for multiple files in Google Drive is tedious when done one at a time. While Google Drive allows sharing individual files, there is no native way to apply the same permission settings to multiple files simultaneously. This tool reads your current Google Drive view (My Drive, Shared with me, or any folder), detects all visible files and folders, and displays them in a scrollable checklist with names, types, and sharing status. You select the files you want to modify, enter the email address of the user or group to share with, choose a permission level (View, Comment, or Edit), and select an operation mode (Add, Update, or Remove). The tool then processes each selected file sequentially through Google Drive's API, applying the permission changes. A preview shows your selection and the permission settings before you confirm.

WHERE IT RUNS

This extension panel runs directly inside your browser as an overlay on any Google Drive view. It works on My Drive, Shared with me, Team Drives, and any folder view. The tool detects files from the page's DOM and uses Google Drive's official API (via GM_xmlhttpRequest) for permission operations. It requires no additional API keys beyond your existing authenticated session — the tool extracts your access token from the page.

HOW TO USE

After installing the BotGentz extension and activating Google Drive Bulk Permission Updater, navigate to any Google Drive folder view. Click the extension icon in your browser toolbar to open the panel. The tool automatically detects all files and folders displayed in the current view. Each item appears with a name and sharing status indicator (🔗 for shared, 📄 for not shared) alongside a checkbox. Use the "Select All" toggle or individually check items. Next, enter the email address of the user or group you want to share with. Choose the permission level: View (read-only), Comment (can add comments), or Edit (can make changes). Select the operation mode: Add Permission (adds sharing for the specified user), Update Permission (modifies existing sharing), or Remove Permission (removes sharing for the specified user). The preview section shows how many files are selected and the permission settings. Finally, click "Update Permissions." A confirmation dialog appears before the operation begins. The tool processes each file with a 500ms delay, showing progress as each file is updated. A notification appears when all files have been processed.

TECHNICAL OPERATION — API-Based Permission Management with Token Extraction

This tool combines DOM-based file detection with API-based permission operations for reliability. It first scans the page for file elements using selectors like `[data-file-id]`, `.file-item`, and `[role="row"]`, extracting file IDs, names, and sharing status. For the permission update, the tool constructs requests to Google Drive's v3 API endpoints. For adding permissions, it uses `POST /files/{fileId}/permissions` with a payload containing `type: "user"`, `role` (reader/commenter/writer), and `emailAddress`. For updating, it uses `PATCH /files/{fileId}/permissions/{permissionId}`. For removal, it uses `DELETE /files/{fileId}/permissions/{permissionId}`. Authentication is handled by extracting the user's access token from the page's scripts, meta tags, or cookies, then including it in the Authorization header. The API approach is more reliable than DOM-based simulation because it works independently of Google Drive's ever-changing UI structure, supports proper error handling with HTTP status codes, and can handle large numbers of files efficiently without triggering UI event delays.

THE PANEL

The extension panel is fully draggable and remembers its position per site session. It snaps to the nearest edge of the browser viewport when dragged within 50 pixels of any side. You can collapse the panel to a compact title bar using the minimize button, preserving your selection state. The panel resizes vertically by dragging the bottom edge. Press the Escape key to close the panel instantly without losing your file selection. The preview updates in real-time as you select files, enter email addresses, or change permission levels.

PLEASE NOTE

This tool requires the free BotGentz extension to function. The script uses Google Drive's API and requires your session to be authenticated. It does not store, transmit, or log any file data, email addresses, or permission information. All API requests are made locally from your browser session. Google Drive's API has rate limits; the tool uses a 500ms delay between updates to avoid rate limiting. The tool relies on extracting your access token from the page, which may expire if your session times out. Google Drive may update its DOM structure over time, which could affect file detection; we monitor and release compatibility updates as needed. Always review the preview and confirmation dialog before applying changes, as permission updates can affect file sharing and access control across your organization.