File Sharing Problems

Can Administrators Disable the Copy Link Option in OneDrive for Business?

Ayan Masood Oct 12, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is looking for a way to remove or disable the 'Copy link' button within the sharing interface of OneDrive for Business.

Can Administrators Disable the Copy Link Option in OneDrive for Business?

Product: OneDrive for Business
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Administrators want to restrict users from generating and copying shareable links to improve organization-wide data security.
Observed behavior: The standard OneDrive for Business and SharePoint online interfaces currently lack a native setting to hide or disable the 'Copy link' option.

Before you start

You will need Microsoft 365 global administrator or SharePoint administrator privileges to modify organization-wide sharing policies and default link settings.

Solution 1Recommended

Restrict Default Link Types and Sharing Permissions

While you cannot physically remove the 'Copy link' button, you can restrict the types of links generated to prevent unauthorized external sharing.

Microsoft 365 does not provide a granular UI toggle to hide the 'Copy link' button. However, administrators can secure their environment by modifying the sharing policies at the tenant level, ensuring that any link copied is restricted to internal users or specific individuals only.

Access the SharePoint Admin Center

Log in to the Microsoft 365 admin center with your administrator credentials, click on 'Show all', and navigate to the 'SharePoint' admin center.

Navigate to Sharing Policies

In the left-hand navigation pane, expand the 'Policies' menu and select 'Sharing'.

Adjust External Sharing Limits

Drag the slider for SharePoint and OneDrive down to 'Only people in your organization' to prevent any external links from being generated.

Configure Default Link Permissions

Scroll down to 'File and folder links' and change the default link type to 'Specific people' or 'Only people in your organization'. Click 'Save' at the bottom of the page.

Restrict Default Link Types and Sharing Permissions

Impact on Users: Users will still see the 'Copy link' button, but the generated links will strictly adhere to the organization's restrictive permissions, neutralizing the risk of anonymous external sharing.

Solution 2

Submit a Feature Request via the Microsoft Feedback Portal

Since the inability to remove the button is a design limitation, administrators are encouraged to submit feature requests directly to Microsoft.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Manage and Share Your Documents Securely with WPS Office

If you are frustrated by the rigid interface limitations of Microsoft 365, consider WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative for document creation and sharing, equipped with flexible permission controls.

1. Download the Application: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package for your operating system.
2. Install and Launch: Follow the on-screen instructions to install the suite and sign in to access your free cloud storage.
3. Share with Control: Open any existing Office document and click the 'Share' button to easily set specific viewing or editing permissions before sending.

Completely free and lightweight office suite with a familiar user interfaceExcellent format compatibility with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPointBuilt-in WPS Cloud offers customizable document sharing permissions and link expirationSeamless migration process with no steep learning curve for your team

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hide the Copy link button using PowerShell?

No, currently there are no SharePoint Online PowerShell cmdlets available that can selectively hide or disable the 'Copy link' button in the sharing dialog.

Does disabling 'Anyone with the link' sharing remove the copy button?

No, disabling anonymous links simply changes the available permission options. Users can still click 'Copy link', but the link will require the recipient to be authenticated or part of the organization.

Is this limitation the same in SharePoint Online?

Yes, because OneDrive for Business and SharePoint Online share the same underlying architecture and sharing interface, the inability to remove the 'Copy link' option applies to both platforms.

Document & File Issues