How to Download 'View-Only' Google Drive Videos & Folders (Python Guide)

Have you ever tried to download a lecture video from Google Drive, only to find the “Download” button missing or disabled? This happens when the owner sets the permission to “View Only.”

It’s frustrating when you want to study offline or save materials for later reference. But don’t worry. Today, I’ll show you how to download not just single videos, but entire folders of lectures at once using a simple Python tool.

1. Prerequisites

You need Python installed on your computer. It’s free and easy to install. Once you have Python ready, open your terminal (Mac) or Command Prompt (Windows).

2. Installation

Copy and paste these commands to get the tool ready:

# 1. Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/wakenhole/gdrive-download-video.git

# 2. Enter the folder
cd gdrive-download-video

# 3. Install requirements
pip install -r requirements.txt

3. How to Use

Depending on whether you want a single file or a whole course folder, use the appropriate command below.

Scenario A: Downloading a Single Video

First, find the Video ID in the URL.

URL: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HFkHQYetpcNnyQo.../view Video ID: The text after d/

Use the script gdrive_videoloader.py.

# Basic Usage: python gdrive_videoloader.py [VIDEO_ID]
python gdrive_videoloader.py 1HFkHQYetpcNnyQoxxxxxX1I1TAcF6Q0us

# Pro Tip: Want to name the file yourself? Use -o option
python gdrive_videoloader.py 1HFkHQYetpcNnyQoxxxxxX1I1TAcF6Q0us -o my_lecture_video.mp4

Scenario B: Downloading an Entire Folder (Highly Recommended)

If you have a folder full of lecture videos (even with sub-folders), you don’t need to download them one by one. Just find the Folder ID.

URL: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1FolderIDExample... Folder ID: The text after folders/

Use the script gdrive_video_download.py.

# Usage: python gdrive_video_download.py [FOLDER_ID] -v
python gdrive_video_download.py 1HFkHQYetpcNnyQoxxxxxX1I1TAcF6Q0us -v

• Recursively Scans: It checks sub-folders and downloads videos from there too.
• Structure Preserved: It keeps your local folders organized exactly like the Drive.
• -v option: Shows verbose logs so you can see the progress.

4. Why Use This Tool?

1. Bypass Restrictions: Works even if the download button is disabled (View-only).
2. No Size Limits: Automatically handles the “Virus scan warning” for large files.
3. Bulk Download: Saves hours of manual clicking by downloading entire folders at once.

5. Important Ethics

• Personal Use Only: Download these materials strictly for your own personal study.
• Copyright: Do not redistribute, sell, or upload these videos to public platforms. Respect the creator’s rights.

Happy studying!

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References:

1. gdrive-download-video Tool (GitHub)