Permission & Access Issues

Fix Everyone Except External Users Missing in SharePoint

Partner Editor Oct 10, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is unable to find or add the "Everyone except external users" group when sharing a folder or document library in SharePoint.

How to Fix "Everyone Except External Users" Missing in SharePoint

Product: Microsoft SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Sharing a folder or document library and configuring user permissions.
Observed behavior: The "Everyone except external users" group does not appear in the available list, even when the user has Global Administrator privileges.

Before you start

Ensure you have access to the SharePoint Online Management Shell and know the exact URL of the site or document library where you want to apply the permissions.

Solution 1Recommended

Grant Site Owner Permissions and Add the Group via PowerShell

Having a Global Administrator role is not always sufficient. You must explicitly grant your account Owner permissions on the specific site before running the PowerShell command to add the group.

In SharePoint, tenant-level administrator roles do not automatically grant full control over all site-level elements. To manipulate specific built-in groups like 'Everyone except external users', explicit site ownership is required.

Assign Owner Permissions

Navigate to the relevant SharePoint site or document library. Go to the site permissions settings and explicitly add your Global Administrator account to the Site Owners group.

Launch PowerShell

Open the SharePoint Online Management Shell as an administrator on your computer.

Execute the Command

Run the necessary PowerShell commands to add the 'Everyone except external users' group to your target library, ensuring you assign it the appropriate Read access.

Verify the Settings

Return to your SharePoint document library in your web browser, open the library settings, and confirm that the group is now successfully listed in the permissions directory.

Grant Site Owner Permissions and Add the Group via PowerShell

Backend Issues: If the group still fails to appear after correctly setting Owner permissions, this may be a tenant-level backend issue. You will need to contact Microsoft Support for further investigation.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Simplify Your Document Workflow with WPS Office

Managing complex SharePoint permissions and Microsoft 365 setups can be time-consuming. For a hassle-free, lightweight, and completely compatible office suite, try WPS Office. It provides an intuitive environment for all your daily document, spreadsheet, and presentation tasks.

1. Download the App: Visit the official WPS Office website to download the free application for your device.
2. Install and Launch: Follow the simple installation prompt to set up WPS Office in minutes.
3. Open Existing Files: Drag and drop your Microsoft Office files into WPS Office to continue working seamlessly without losing any formatting.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formatsLightweight installation that runs fast on Windows, Mac, and LinuxFamiliar user interface that requires zero learning curve for Office usersBuilt-in cloud tools for effortless team collaboration and file sharing

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why isn't my Global Administrator account sufficient to manage all groups in SharePoint?

SharePoint maintains site-level permissions that are often handled separately from tenant-wide administrative roles. To modify or add certain internal groups, you must explicitly possess Owner permissions on that specific site or document library.

Can I add 'Everyone except external users' without using PowerShell?

Yes, provided the group is enabled in your tenant and you have the required Owner permissions. You can go to the 'Advanced permissions settings' of your site, click 'Grant Permissions', and manually search for 'Everyone except external users'.

What if the group is entirely missing from my tenant?

If your organization was created recently or specific security policies were applied, the 'Everyone except external users' group might be disabled at the tenant level. You may need to enable it via PowerShell using the Set-SPOTenant cmdlet or contact Microsoft Support.

Document & File Issues