A OneDrive share link points people to your cloud copy of a file or folder instead of sending a separate attachment. Permissions decide who can open it and whether they can edit.
Does this affect you?
Use this for OneDrive on the web, Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android, and work or school accounts when sharing files without emailing large attachments. Some options, like passwords and expiration dates, depend on account type and organization policy.
Create a share link
The process works for files and folders.
- Open onedrive.com, the OneDrive folder on your computer, or the OneDrive app.
- Right-click or tap the file or folder.
- Choose Share.
- Review the permission summary, such as Anyone with the link can edit.
- Click that permission line if you need to change access.
- Choose Copy link, or enter email addresses and click Send.
Anyone who opens the link sees the shared OneDrive item according to the permissions you set. If they edit an Office file in the browser, they are editing the live cloud copy.
Control who can use the link
Do not skip this step for private files.
- Anyone with the link: works for anyone who receives or forwards the link, often without sign-in.
- People in your organization: limits access to your school or company account users.
- People with existing access: creates a convenience link but does not grant new access.
- Specific people: limits access to the email addresses you choose and may require verification.
Choose Can view or Can edit based on what recipients should be allowed to do. On work or school accounts, add an expiration date or password when available for sensitive files.
Share from File Explorer on Windows
Synced OneDrive files can be shared without opening a browser.
- Open File Explorer.
- Go to your OneDrive folder.
- Right-click the file or folder.
- Choose Share.
- Set permissions and copy or send the link.
More control
Manage or revoke old links
Open Share > Manage access on the original file. Review every person and link, then stop sharing or remove links you no longer want active.
Expired links need a new link
A link may stop working because it expired, was revoked, or was blocked by organization policy. Create a fresh link from Manage access if sharing is still intended.
Downloads do not sync edits back
If someone downloads a copy and edits locally, those changes do not update your OneDrive file. Browser editing through the link is what keeps everyone on the same copy.
Folder sharing includes future contents
A shared folder grants access to items already inside and files added later. Be careful what you drop into an actively shared folder.
Sources
- Microsoft Support – Share OneDrive files and folders (2025)
- Microsoft Support – Change permissions of a shared file or folder (2025)
- Microsoft Support – Set expiration dates or passwords for sharing links (2025)