File Sharing Problems

Can Microsoft Anyone Links Have Individual Expiration Dates?

John Wilson Oct 10, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to know if it is possible to set a custom expiration date for a specific user or exception when a global expiration policy is applied to Microsoft Anyone links.

Can Microsoft Anyone Links Have Individual Expiration Dates?

Product: Microsoft 365
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: An organization relies on a global 15-day expiration policy for sharing files via Microsoft Anyone links but needs to grant a 20-day expiration period for a specific use case or individual.
Observed behavior: The global 15-day expiration policy enforces the same limit on all shared Anyone links, preventing administrators from setting custom 20-day exceptions for individual users.

Before you start

Verify your current tenant-wide sharing settings in the SharePoint Admin Center to fully understand the global expiration policies already enforced in your Microsoft 365 environment.

Solution 1Recommended

Understanding Microsoft Anyone Link Limitations and Workarounds

Individual exceptions for Anyone link expirations are natively unsupported. The expiration applies to the link itself, affecting all users. You must use alternative sharing methods or submit feedback for this feature.

The expiration setting in Microsoft 365 applies directly to the 'Anyone' link itself, meaning it universally affects everyone who clicks or uses that specific link. It is not possible to configure individual expiration dates or user-specific exceptions for an active Anyone link if a global tenant policy (e.g., 15 days) is enforced by the organization.

Use Specific People Links for Better Control

Instead of generating an 'Anyone' link, share the file using the 'Specific People' option. While it doesn't give you individual expiration timers, it allows you to manually revoke a single individual's access at the 20-day mark without breaking the link for others.

Create a Separate SharePoint Site with Different Policies

If you frequently need a 20-day expiration, administrators can configure a separate SharePoint site using PowerShell and set a different expiration policy specifically for that site's Anyone links.

Submit a Feature Request via Microsoft Feedback

Since per-user expiration controls are currently unsupported, visit the Microsoft Feedback portal (feedbackportal.microsoft.com), navigate to the SharePoint or OneDrive section, and submit a feature request outlining your organizational requirements.

Understanding Microsoft Anyone Link Limitations and Workarounds

Sharing Policy Hierarchy: Keep in mind that if your organization sets a strict maximum link expiration globally at the tenant level, site-level administrators cannot override this to grant a longer expiration period.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can SharePoint administrators set different expiration policies for different sites?

Yes, SharePoint administrators can set different expiration policies for specific sites using PowerShell. However, these policies still apply globally to the Anyone links generated within that specific site, not on a per-user basis.

What happens to the file when a Microsoft Anyone link expires?

Once the expiration date passes, the link simply becomes invalid. The underlying file remains safely stored in OneDrive or SharePoint, but anyone clicking the expired link will receive an error message and lose access.

How can I revoke access to an Anyone link before its expiration date?

You can manually delete the link at any time. Go to the file in OneDrive or SharePoint, click the three dots (More options), select 'Manage Access', navigate to the 'Links' tab, and click the trash can icon next to the Anyone link.

Document & File Issues