Securely Granting Access to Private Files and Folders

Securely Granting Access to Private Files and Folders

The OneDrive library provided for you is typically protected from public viewing by default. Only you can access personal documents and media files that you store in it unless you explicitly share a folder of documents or a single document with other people in your organization for reviewing or co-editing.

To change permissions for someone sharing a folder of documents or a single document:

  1. From OneDrive for work or school library, in the Sharing column for the folder or document, click Shared with some people. A details page appears with sharing options.
  2. For each person whose permissions you want to change, click the down arrow to the right of the name, and then click Can editCan view, or Stop sharing. To give someone else permission to share the document or folder or document, click INVITE PEOPLE, set their permissions, and click SHARE.
  3. If you want to change inheritance settings, whereby a document may inherit permissions from a parent folder, click ADVANCED and use the ribbon options to reset inheritance.
  4. Click Save Changes.

For more information about setting document-sharing permissions, see Share items in a library.

Tips: 

  • When you’re done collaborating, or at any time, you can stop sharing and remove access to your files. For OneDrive and SharePoint select the file then select Details > Manage access to stop sharing. For Lists, open the list and select the information icon in the top right corner, then select Manage Access
  • For added security for OneDrive and SharePoint files, you can remove editing permission and turn on Block download in Link settings.