Permission & Access Issues

Fix: External User Cannot Delete Files in Shared OneDrive Folder

Jason Miller Oct 22, 2026 868 views

Question details

An external client with Edit permissions is unable to delete files inside a shared OneDrive folder or add the folder to their own OneDrive.

Fix: External User Cannot Delete Files in a Shared OneDrive Folder

Product: OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Collaborating with external clients by sharing folders in OneDrive.
Observed behavior: The external user cannot delete incorrectly uploaded files despite having Edit access. Additionally, the folder owner is unable to grant Full Control or Co-owner permissions.

Before you start

Ensure you are logged into the OneDrive account that owns the shared folder, as only the original folder owner can modify access permissions and share links.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify Folder-Level Edit Permissions

Ensure that the external user has Edit access applied to the entire folder, rather than just individual files inside it.

In OneDrive, Edit permissions generally allow users to add, modify, and delete files. If a user cannot delete a file, their Edit permission might be restricted to specific files instead of the parent folder.

Open Manage Access

Navigate to your OneDrive, select the shared folder in question, click the three-dot menu (More options), and choose 'Manage access'.

Check User Permissions

Review the list of people with access. Ensure the external client's email address is listed with 'Can edit' permissions specifically for the folder.

Remove Conflicting Links

Look for any inherited or overlapping sharing links that might be restricting access to 'View only' and delete them to prevent permission conflicts.

OneDrive External User Limitations: OneDrive only offers View or Edit permissions for externally shared folders. It does not provide Owner, Full Control, or Co-owner roles to external users.

Solution 2

Create a New Shared Folder for Testing

If permission conflicts persist, creating a fresh folder can eliminate hidden inheritance issues.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Collaborate Seamlessly with WPS Office

If strict OneDrive ownership limitations are hindering your external collaborations, WPS Office provides a free, lightweight alternative for seamless document sharing and teamwork. Enjoy comprehensive compatibility with Microsoft Office formats without the complicated permission hurdles.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download and install the free WPS Office suite on your device.
2. Upload to WPS Cloud: Sign in to your WPS account and upload your documents or folders to WPS Cloud for secure storage.
3. Share with Collaborators: Right-click your file or folder, select 'Share', and generate a link with straightforward editing permissions for your external clients.

Highly compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formatsSeamless cloud sharing and document co-editing featuresFree, lightweight, and easy-to-use alternative to Microsoft OfficeSimplified permission management for external collaborators

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make an external user the owner of a shared OneDrive folder?

No. OneDrive sharing normally offers only View or Edit permissions to external users. It does not provide an Owner, Full Control, or Co-owner role. The original creator retains full ownership.

Why can an external client delete files in one shared folder but not another?

This usually happens when permissions are applied differently. In the problematic folder, the client might only have file-level Edit access instead of folder-level Edit access, or there may be conflicting sharing links and tenant restrictions.

Does the 'Edit' permission allow external users to delete files?

Yes. Under normal circumstances, granting an external user Edit permissions at the folder level allows them to add, modify, and delete files within that specific shared folder.

Document & File Issues