How to Download a Large File from Google Drive [Guide]

If this sounds like the situation you're facing, you're not alone—and the good news is, there are ways to fix it. But first, it’s important to understand Google Drive’s limitations around file size, bandwidth, and download quotas. Once you know what you’re dealing with, it’s much easier to figure out the right method or tool to get the file downloaded successfully.

Google Drive Limitations for Large File Downloads

Before trying to fix failed downloads, it’s important to understand the built-in limits of Google Drive that can affect large file transfers, especially files around 50 GB.

🚧 1. Download Quota and Bandwidth Limits

Google Drive places daily limits on how much data can be downloaded or shared from a file. If a file has been downloaded too many times within a short period, you may see a "Download quota exceeded" error. This prevents further downloads until the limit resets (usually after 24 hours).

⚠️ 2. Virus Scan Warnings for Large Files

For files over 100MB, Google Drive will warn you that it can’t scan the file for viruses. This isn’t an error, but it’s a prompt that requires manual confirmation to continue the download. If you ignore or miss this, the download might not start at all.

⛔ 3. File Size Restrictions and Errors

Although Google Drive can store individual files up to 5TB (as long as you have enough storage space), your browser or device may struggle to handle very large downloads. Issues like timeout errors, interrupted downloads, or failed saves can happen, especially on slower networks or with limited local storage.

Now that you know the key limitations, it’s clear why large downloads can fail. Next, we’ll show you effective solutions to help you download large files from Google Drive successfully.

Notes:✎

Before downloading large files (~50GB), ensure you have enough local storage and a stable, fast internet connection. Use the latest browser or Google Drive desktop app, and pause other downloads to maximize speed. Consider using a download manager to resume interrupted downloads for a smoother experience.

Method 1. Download Big Files with Google Drive for Desktop

Google Drive for Desktop is an official application designed to sync your Google Drive files directly to your computer. This method is especially useful for large file downloads, as it bypasses many limitations faced when downloading through a web browser, such as timeouts, download quotas, or interrupted connections.

By syncing files locally, it ensures a more stable and reliable transfer, allowing you to pause, resume, and access files offline at any time. This makes it a great choice for downloading files around 50GB or larger, providing a seamless experience without the usual browser restrictions.

📝 This tutorial on big file downloads with the Google Drive application will guide you step by step:

Step 1. Download and Install Google Drive for Desktop

Visit the Google Drive for Desktop download page and install the app on your computer.

Step 2. Sign In to Your Google Account

Open the app and log in with the Google account that holds the large file you want to download.

Step 3. Choose Sync Settings

Select whether you want to stream files (access without storing locally) or mirror files (download copies to your computer).

• Streaming means files stay on Google’s servers and require an internet connection to access. If you go offline, you can’t work on them.
• Mirroring stores files both locally and in the cloud, syncing changes when online, and keeping the latest version.

For a large file download, choose Mirror files to save them locally.

Step 4. Sync the Large File or Folder

Navigate to your Google Drive folder on your computer, locate the large file or folder, and it will automatically sync and download to your local storage. You can monitor progress from the app’s interface.

Method 2. Use Google Takeout for Huge File Download

It's recommended to choose Google Takeout for huge file downloads because it handles large amounts of data more reliably than manual downloads. This official Google tool automatically splits your files into manageable archive parts, helping to avoid browser timeouts and download quota limits that often disrupt big downloads.

It also offers flexible delivery options, such as sending download links via email or transferring data directly to another cloud service, making it ideal for backing up or migrating large volumes of Google Drive data. While processing may take longer, Google Takeout ensures a secure, uninterrupted download experience—even for your largest files.

Follow these steps if you need to download a 50 GB file or something even larger from Google Drive:

Step 1. Go to Google Takeout

Visit takeout.google.com and sign in with the Google account that stores the large file.

Step 2. Select Google Drive Data

On the list of Google services, click “Deselect all,” then scroll down and check Google Drive. You can click “All Drive data included” to choose specific folders or files if needed.

Step 3. Customize Export Settings

Click “Next step.” Choose your delivery method (e.g., download link via email), file type, and archive size. For large files, choose a higher archive size (up to 50GB) to reduce the number of parts.

Step 4. Create and Download the Export

Click “Create export.” Google will start processing your files—this can take hours or even days, depending on the size. Once it’s ready, you’ll receive a download link. Click it to download your large Google Drive data to your device.

Method 3. Download Very Large Files with Command Line Tools

For users comfortable with the command line, using tools like Wget is a powerful solution for very large file downloads from Google Drive, especially when dealing with files over 50GB that often fail in browsers. Wget offers better stability, supports download resumption, and handles poor network conditions more gracefully than browser-based methods. It’s especially useful for automating the process or when working on remote servers.

By retrieving the file ID from a Google Drive shareable link and running a simple Wget command, you can bypass many of the restrictions that interrupt large downloads.

This guide will show you how to use Wget as a reliable tool for downloading large files from Google Drive:

Step 1. Install Wget (if not already installed)

• Windows: Install Git Bash or download Wget separately.
• macOS: Use Homebrew: brew install wget
• Linux: Use your package manager: sudo apt install wget (Debian/Ubuntu)

Step 2. Get the Shareable Google Drive Link

Right-click the file in Google Drive, select “Get link,” and make sure it’s set to “Anyone with the link can view.” 

Step 3. Extract the File ID

Copy the part between /d/ and /view. For example, in the link above, the file ID is: 1A2B3C4D5E6F7G8H9

Step 4. Use Wget with the File ID

Paste this command into your terminal, replacing FILE_ID and FILENAME with your values:

📝 Note: For very large files, Google Drive may prompt a virus scan confirmation. To bypass this, you can use more advanced Wget or curl scripts, or tools like gdown.

Method 4. Use a Third-Party Large File Downloader

If you’re looking for an easier way to manage large file downloads from Google Drive—especially files over 50GB—CBackup is a free and user-friendly cloud backup service worth considering. Unlike traditional download tools, CBackup allows you to transfer, back up, and manage your Google Drive files securely without manually downloading them to your local device first.

✅ Why Choose CBackup?

• Supports direct cloud-to-cloud backup and transfer
• Bypasses browser limitations and download interruptions
• No need to download huge files manually—access them from linked storage
• Free plan available with generous cloud features
• Supports Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, and more

🔧 How to download a large file from Google Drive using CBackup:

Step 1. Sign Up and Log In

Visit www.cbackup.com and create a free account.

Step 2. Add Your Google Drive Account

Go to the “Storage” tab, choose Google Drive, and follow the authorization steps. Then, you will connect your Google Drive account with CBackup.

Step 3. Backup or Transfer Files

You can back up large files from Google Drive to another cloud (like OneDrive or Dropbox), or merge cloud storage to expand your storage, without manually downloading files.

Step 4. Download When Needed

If you want to download files locally later, simply find the file in your backup task or cloud transfer list and click “Download.” This lets you retrieve large files with just a few clicks—no interruptions or quota errors.

📌 Bonus Tip: CBackup also lets you combine multiple Google Drive accounts to get nearly unlimited Google Drive storage, perfect for handling high-volume data.

Conclusion

If you’re wondering how to download large files from Google Drive, especially files over 50GB, you’re not alone—and luckily, there are several effective solutions. Whether you use Google Drive for Desktop, Google Takeout, Wget, or a third-party tool like CBackup, each method offers unique benefits to help you avoid browser limitations and complete large downloads successfully.

Choose the one that best suits your situation to ensure a smooth and reliable download experience.

FAQs About Huge File Download from Google Drive

Now that you know how to download big files from Google Drive, explore FAQs and tips to troubleshoot issues and optimize your large file download experience with ease and efficiency.

1. How to Download Multiple Files from Google Drive

To download multiple files from Google Drive, follow these steps:

• 1. Open Google Drive and sign in.
• 2. Hold the Ctrl key (Windows) or Cmd key (Mac) and click to select the files you want.
• 3. Right-click any selected file and choose Download.
• 4. Google Drive will compress the files into a ZIP archive and download it to your device.

This method lets you quickly download multiple files at once without needing extra tools.

2. What’s the Best Tool for a 100GB File Download from Google Drive?

The best tool for a 100GB file download from Google Drive depends on your needs, but Google Drive for Desktop is highly recommended. It syncs large files directly to your computer, avoiding browser limits and interruptions. For more control, Google Takeout can export and package large data, while command-line tools like Wget are great for advanced users. Third-party cloud managers like CBackup also offer convenient cloud-to-cloud transfers and downloads without hassle.

Choose based on your comfort and file size requirements.

3. How to Share Large Files on Google Drive

To share large files on Google Drive, follow these steps:

• 1. Upload the large file to your Google Drive account.
• 2. Right-click the file and select Get link.
• 3. Set the link’s access permissions (e.g., Anyone with the link can view, comment, or edit).
• 4. Copy the link and send it to the people you want to share it with.

Google Drive lets you share files of any size by simply sharing a link—no need to worry about email attachment limits.