Restrict public access after having enabled "General access default"

Problem

When changing document sharing from The primary target audience can search and find the item to Private to the owner, all files remains accessible by anyone under the organization and this can't be reverted even if changing public access by primary folders, sub folders, and individual files.

Environment

  • Google Drive page

Solution

Workaround

  1. Create a new Shared drive with the user as the Owner and do not share it with anyone.
  2. Make a right click on the shared rive and click on Shared drive settings.
  3. Remove the boxes for all shared drive settings.
  4. Click on Done.
  5. Move all files to the shared drive and then back to My Drive.

This will allow you to move all files to a new shared drive folder with all sharing settings disabled, and move these files back under My Drive to restrict access.