How to View and Stop Sharing OneDrive Files
Do you use the OneDrive app to keep your files in the cloud? It is a great way to sync your work across all your devices. The app comes built into Windows 11 and lets you open files directly in onedrive-in-windows-11/" class="sal-link" rel="noopener" target="_blank" data-sal-id="25675">File Explorer, even without an internet connection.
You can use OneDrive to share your files and folders with anyone, including friends or coworkers. But have you ever wondered who still has access to your private documents? It is easy to lose track of what you have shared over time.
Why do this? You should check your shared files to keep your private data safe and make sure only the right people can see your work.
What happens when done? Once you follow these steps, those people will no longer be able to open or edit your files. Your file remains safely in your account; only the external access is removed.
How to See Your Shared Files
You can see everything you have shared by using the web version of OneDrive.
- Go to your Microsoft OneDrive portal online and sign in.
- Click the Shared link in the menu on the left side of your screen.
- Click the Shared by you link at the top of the page. This shows only the files you have given others permission to see.
How to Stop Sharing Files
If you find a file you no longer want to share, you can cut off access in just a few clicks. You do not need admin privileges for these web-based steps.
- Navigate to your Microsoft OneDrive portal and select Shared, then Shared by you.
- Find the file or folder you want to stop sharing.
- Select the item and click Manage Access in the top menu, or click the three dots and choose Manage access.
- In the window that pops up, click the People link. Click the Pencil icon to see who has access.
- Click Direct Access to see the list of people. Select Remove direct access for anyone you want to block.
- Click Remove to confirm your choice.
- Finally, click the Links tab in that same window and click the Delete button to kill the sharing link entirely.
Understanding Permission Inheritance and Subfolders
When you share a folder, everything inside it is shared by default. This is called permission inheritance. If you add a new file to a shared folder, others can see it immediately. To stop sharing a specific sub-item, you must go into that file’s individual Manage Access settings to break the inheritance.
Managing Access on Mobile Devices
You can also stop sharing files using the OneDrive mobile app. Open the app, tap the Shared tab, find the file, tap the three dots, and select Manage Access. From there, you can remove links or specific people just like you do on a computer.
Summary
Keeping your data private is important. By checking your “Shared by you” list in the OneDrive portal, you can see exactly what you have made public. If you no longer need to share a file, use the “Manage Access” menu to remove specific people or delete the sharing link to revoke access completely. Always remember that sharing a folder grants access to all sub-items unless you change those settings individually.
Related Topics
Can I stop sharing all files at once?
OneDrive does not currently offer a single button to stop sharing every file at once. You must review and revoke access on a per-file or per-folder basis to ensure you do not accidentally remove access to files you still need to collaborate on with your team.
What happens to the recipient when I stop sharing?
When you stop sharing, the recipient will no longer see the file in their “Shared” view. If they try to open a direct link to the file, they will receive an error message stating that the item no longer exists or they no longer have permission to view it.
Was this guide helpful?
[…] files, and folders with people using Windows File Explorer. Once a resource is shared, you can manage access and remove or stop files and folder sharing, even […]