When you share files, do not click the share button with Google Drive or Dropbox. When you click share, most services make you log in or create an account, which will cause delays delivering your files.
If you share with a different email address than what your recipient expects , the cloud service will deny access and ask you to sign up or “ask permission” to use a different email address.
Services that you typically don’t sign up for like Wetransfer or Smash are also useful.
Follow these steps to share with anyone without forcing them to sign in or sign up.
Google Drive
Right-click the file or folder and choose “Get link”
In the next menu click “Anyone with the link”
Dropbox
Simply click copy link instead of share. Dropbox creates a view only link that lets people download without signing in. It is not possible to make someone a collaborator in a folder unless they sign up for Dropbox.
Here are detailed Microsoft SharePoint and OneDrive instructions.
Wetransfer
Limited to 2GB with free account
Click on “Get transfer link” after dragging your files.
Paste the link form the window when the transfer is done.
Smash
Not limited, but delayed if file over 2GB with free account.
Click “Get a link” after dragging your files into the window.
Paste the link from the window.