BetterScreenShotShare a BetterScreenShot Result with Google Drive

This documentation applies to BetterScreenShot v0.5.47 and above. Last reviewed August 1, 2026.

What this feature does

Google Drive sharing is an optional, user-initiated workflow in BetterScreenShot v0.5.47 and above.

It can:

1. Prepare the selected screenshot, GIF, or recording.
2. Upload that one rendered result directly to your own Google Drive.
3. Create a view-only anyone-with-the-link permission for the uploaded file.
4. Copy the resulting Google Drive link to the Windows clipboard.
5. Let you make one or all BetterScreenShot-managed links private later.

BetterScreenShot does not operate a publisher-hosted capture cloud or account server.

Before you connect

You need:

• BetterScreenShot v0.5.47 or above.
• An internet connection.
• A Google account that can use Google Drive.
• A Windows environment where secure credential protection is available.
• A supported screenshot, GIF, or recording in the current workspace or History.

A Google Workspace administrator may restrict third-party apps, external sharing, or anyone-with-the-link permissions.

Connect Google Drive

1. Open Settings.
2. Open the sharing or Google Drive section.
3. Select Connect Google Drive.
4. Complete the sign-in and consent flow in your normal system browser.
5. Return to BetterScreenShot.
6. Confirm that the expected Google account is shown as connected.

BetterScreenShot uses OAuth with PKCE, state validation, and a temporary callback on 127.0.0.1. The app requests the limited drive.file permission. It does not ask for broad access to browse unrelated Drive files.

Share a screenshot

1. Open an image in the annotation workspace or choose a supported image in History.
2. Finish annotations, crop, presentation background, padding, and other edits.
3. Choose Share to Google Drive.
4. Review the file name and sharing explanation.
5. Confirm the operation.
6. Wait for the upload and permission step to finish.
7. Paste the copied link into the intended conversation or document.

An edited screenshot is flattened into a PNG before upload. The editable project and separate annotation objects are not uploaded.

Share a recording or GIF

1. Open the supported recording or GIF in History or Studio.
2. Finish timeline edits, Auto Zoom, composition, camera, overlays, audio, and export settings.
3. Choose Share to Google Drive.
4. Confirm the operation.
5. Keep BetterScreenShot open while the item renders and uploads.
6. Copy or paste the resulting link only after the workflow reports success.

The current Studio result is rendered in a background worker before upload. BetterScreenShot uses one first-in, first-out render queue for heavy sharing jobs. History receives targeted progress updates instead of rebuilding the complete list.

What gets uploaded

The upload is one rendered output:

BetterScreenShot does not upload the complete History database, an editable .bssproj, unrelated captures, separate screen, camera, or audio tracks, Recovery Center items, or a diagnostic package through this workflow.

Where the file appears in Drive

BetterScreenShot creates or reuses a private app-managed folder in the connected user's Drive. Uploading a result does not make the folder public.

The selected file can receive a view-only anyone-with-the-link permission with file discovery disabled. Anyone who obtains the link may be able to view the file, so review the rendered result before sharing.

Video preview quality

Google Drive may show a lower-resolution preview while it processes a newly uploaded video. BetterScreenShot uploads the full rendered output. If the online player still looks soft, wait for Google to finish processing or download the file to inspect the uploaded quality.

Cancel a share

You can cancel a queued item or an active render where the current step permits cancellation.

BetterScreenShot attempts to:

• Remove a cancelled item from the queue.
• Stop the active background render.
• Delete an incomplete temporary sharing artifact.
• Preserve the original History item and editable project.
• Report whether rendering, upload, or permission creation had already completed.

If cancellation occurs after Google accepted the upload, check Drive before assuming that no file was created.

Make one shared link private

1. Open the sharing controls or the relevant History item.
2. Find the BetterScreenShot-managed public link.
3. Choose Make private.
4. Confirm the result.

This removes the public-link permission. It does not delete the Drive file.

Make all managed links private

BetterScreenShot v0.5.47 adds a bulk privacy action.

1. Open Settings and the Google Drive sharing section.
2. Review the number of BetterScreenShot-managed public links.
3. Choose Make all shared links private.
4. Confirm the exact count shown by the app.
5. Keep the app open while it processes the files sequentially.
6. Review the final success, skipped, failed, or cancelled counts.

The operation supports cancellation between files and preserves permissions that were already removed successfully. Authentication, offline state, Google rate limits, deleted files, and Workspace policy can produce partial results.

Disconnect safely

Disconnecting:

• Clears the locally stored BetterScreenShot connection.
• Attempts to revoke the Google credential.
• Stops BetterScreenShot from creating new Drive shares until you reconnect.

Disconnecting does not:

• Delete files already uploaded to Google Drive.
• Automatically remove existing anyone-with-the-link permissions.
• Remove a file from a recipient's browser history, downloads, messages, or copies.

When privacy is the goal:

1. Use Make all shared links private.
2. Confirm the final result.
3. Delete unwanted uploaded files in Google Drive.
4. Disconnect BetterScreenShot.
5. Optionally verify or revoke access on the Google Account permissions page.

Common errors

Secure credential storage is unavailable

BetterScreenShot will not keep a Google Drive connection without Windows-protected credential storage. Restart Windows normally and confirm that you are using a normal signed-in Windows profile. Do not try to store tokens manually.

The browser sign-in finished but BetterScreenShot did not connect

• Return to the app and wait briefly.
• Confirm that only one connection attempt is open.
• Check whether a firewall or security tool blocked the temporary 127.0.0.1 callback.
• Cancel the attempt and start a fresh connection.
• Do not copy authorization codes or tokens into support messages.

Authentication expired

Reconnect the Google account. Google can invalidate credentials after a password change, security review, policy change, account revocation, or a long period of inactivity.

Workspace policy blocked public sharing

A managed Google Workspace account may allow upload but forbid anyone-with-the-link permissions. Ask the Workspace administrator or use an account where the intended sharing policy is allowed.

Google rate limit or quota error

Wait and try the single item again. Avoid repeatedly starting bulk privacy actions or large uploads while Google is returning a rate-limit response.

The file was deleted in Drive

BetterScreenShot may retain local managed-link metadata after a Drive file is deleted externally. Refresh the sharing state. A deleted Drive file cannot have its public permission changed.

The app is offline

The local project remains available. Reconnect the PC and retry only the intended result.

Privacy details

Read:

• Google Drive Data Use
• Privacy Policy
• Privacy and Security
• Terms of Use

Related help

• Studio Video Editor
• History and Recovery
• Troubleshooting
• Contact Support