Can you share files and folders on iCloud Drive to people without Apple IDs?

No I have seen those threads. When you create links to a folder, even if you choose "anyone with the link" can "view only", when the other person tries the link, they will be asked to login to their iCloud/Apple ID.

They can't just browse the folder's contents straight away.

You should read the contents of your link before posting it. This is "for non Mac users" but you still need an Apple ID to login and then look at the shared folder contents.

Go to the bottom of your link to "Access a private share":

When sharing a file with specific people, you get a link as before. This can be pasted wherever you want, such as emails and messages. What happens when someone clicks the link? This time there is no download option and the person must sign into iCloud with their Apple ID. Only people with Apple IDs can access shared files if they are shared specifically with them. They do not have to be Mac users though, and Windows users can have an Apple ID. These file sharing features are sure to be popular with iCloud users. However, other services like Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive and others have had this feature for years.

Hence, you always need an Apple ID to login and then you can view the files. Where as on Google Drive or Dropbox, anyone with the link can just view and download the folder and its contents without any login whatsoever.

I already knew I could do that. I was just wondering if there was any other way to do what I wanted to do, as described in the original post. I want to use iCloud for everything as it’d be annoying to use multiple cloud services.