Can You Disconnect a SharePoint Site from a Microsoft 365 Group?
Question details
The user wants to know if there is a way to disconnect an existing SharePoint site from its associated Microsoft 365 Group.
- Product
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- A site administrator is managing SharePoint site structures and wants to remove the Microsoft 365 group integration without deleting the site.
- Observed behavior
- There is no standard setting in the SharePoint interface or supported PowerShell command available to remove the Microsoft 365 group connection from an existing site.
Verify your current site type in the SharePoint Admin Center to confirm if it is a modern group-connected site, and remember that deleting the Microsoft 365 Group will permanently delete the associated SharePoint site.
Migrate Data to a New Site Without a Group Connection
Since Microsoft does not currently support disconnecting a Microsoft 365 group from an existing site, the best workaround is to create a new site (such as a Communication site) and migrate your documents.
Modern SharePoint team sites are inherently tied to Microsoft 365 groups for permission and resource management. Because you cannot sever this link, you must standardize your environment by moving your content to a site type that does not require a group.
Go to the SharePoint Admin Center, click 'Active sites', and select 'Create'. Choose 'Communication site' or use 'Other options' to create a classic Team site without a Microsoft 365 group.
Navigate to the document libraries in your original group-connected site. Select the files or folders, click 'Move to' or 'Copy to' in the top command bar, and select your newly created site as the destination.
In your new site, click the gear icon (Settings), select 'Site permissions', and manually add the required users or security groups directly to the SharePoint Visitors, Members, or Owners groups.
Submit a Feature Request via the Microsoft Feedback Portal
If the workaround does not suit your organizational needs, you can submit or vote for a feature request to encourage Microsoft to develop a native disconnection tool.
Manage and Edit Your Exported Documents Seamlessly with WPS Office
While SharePoint site structures require Microsoft admin tools, opening, editing, and collaborating on the documents stored within them doesn't have to be expensive or complicated. WPS Office provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative for all your daily document needs.
- 1. Download the installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button for your operating system.
- 2. Install the software: Run the downloaded installer file and follow the straightforward on-screen instructions to set up WPS Office on your computer.
- 3. Open your documents: Launch WPS Office and open your .docx, .xlsx, or .pptx files directly to start editing with full format compatibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use PowerShell to disconnect a Microsoft 365 group from a SharePoint site?
No, there is currently no standard setting or supported PowerShell cmdlet available in the SharePoint Online Management Shell to disconnect an existing Microsoft 365 group from a SharePoint site.
What happens to my SharePoint site if I delete the connected Microsoft 365 Group?
If you delete a Microsoft 365 Group from the admin center or Outlook, the connected SharePoint site and all of its files, document libraries, and data will also be permanently deleted.
Is it possible to connect an existing classic SharePoint site to a Microsoft 365 Group?
Yes, while you cannot disconnect a group, SharePoint administrators do have the ability to connect an existing classic team site to a new Microsoft 365 Group to modernize the site.
How can I share a group-connected site without adding users to the Microsoft 365 Group?
You can bypass the Microsoft 365 Group by managing permissions directly in SharePoint. Go to 'Site permissions', click 'Advanced permissions settings', and grant access directly to the SharePoint Members or Visitors groups.
