'%3e%3cpath%20d='M8%200C12.4183%200%2016%203.58172%2016%208C16%2012.4183%2012.4183%2016%208%2016C3.58172%2016%200%2012.4183%200%208C0%203.58172%203.58172%200%208%200ZM11.6162%204.38379C11.2257%203.99337%2010.5927%203.99338%2010.2021%204.38379L8%206.58594L5.79785%204.38379C5.40732%203.99334%204.77429%203.99329%204.38379%204.38379C3.99331%204.77429%203.99335%205.40733%204.38379%205.79785L6.58594%208L4.38379%2010.2021C3.99348%2010.5927%203.99341%2011.2257%204.38379%2011.6162C4.77426%2012.0066%205.40734%2012.0065%205.79785%2011.6162L8%209.41406L10.2021%2011.6162C10.5927%2012.0066%2011.2257%2012.0067%2011.6162%2011.6162C12.0067%2011.2257%2012.0066%2010.5927%2011.6162%2010.2021L9.41406%208L11.6162%205.79785C12.0066%205.40735%2012.0066%204.77429%2011.6162%204.38379Z'%20fill='%23080E17'%20fill-opacity='0.46'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cdefs%3e%3cclipPath%20id='clip0_3761_713'%3e%3crect%20width='16'%20height='16'%20fill='white'/%3e%3c/clipPath%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
Fix External Users Cannot Download Shared OneDrive Folders with Subfolders
Question details
External users are unable to download shared folders containing subfolders from OneDrive, often encountering WebException errors and subfolders appearing as text files.
- Product
- Microsoft OneDrive
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- An external user receives a shared OneDrive folder with 'Can edit' permissions and attempts to download the entire folder, which contains multiple subfolders.
- Observed behavior
- The download fails with a WebException and a correlation ID. Files in the top-level folder may download normally, but subfolders incorrectly appear as text files.
Before proceeding, gather the exact error message, the correlation ID from the download failure, and links to the specific folders that reproduce the problem.
Escalate the Issue to Microsoft 365 Support via IT Administrator
Since this is an unusual server-side issue with no local settings fix, your organization's Microsoft 365 administrator must open a support request.
This behavior is a known anomaly where the packaging process fails when preparing the folder for download. Because no user-facing settings can resolve this WebException, the issue requires backend investigation by Microsoft engineers.
Copy the exact WebException error message and the correlation ID that appears when the external user attempts to download the folder.
Reach out to your organization's Microsoft 365 IT administrator, providing them with the affected sharing scenario, folder links, permissions setup, and the correlation ID.
The IT administrator must log into the Microsoft 365 Admin Center, navigate to the Support section, and create a new service request including the collected diagnostic information.
Experience Seamless File Management and Sharing with WPS Office
If you frequently encounter frustrating file sharing and download errors with Microsoft 365, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a highly compatible, lightweight alternative with reliable built-in cloud sharing capabilities that simplify collaboration for both internal and external users.
- 1. Download and Install WPS Office: Get the free WPS Office suite from the official website and install it on your device.
- 2. Save to WPS Cloud: Open your document and save it directly to your built-in WPS Cloud drive.
- 3. Share Securely: Click the 'Share' button to generate a stable download link with customizable permissions for external users.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my shared OneDrive subfolders appear as text files when downloaded?
This happens due to a server-side bug in OneDrive's file packaging process when preparing the ZIP file for the external user's download. It fails to structure the subfolders properly, resulting in corrupted text file representations.
Can I fix the WebException download error on my own?
No, a WebException during a OneDrive folder download indicates a backend server error. You must provide the correlation ID to your IT administrator so they can open a diagnostic ticket with Microsoft Support.
Is there a way for external users to get the files immediately?
Yes. The external user can download individual files from the top-level folder successfully. Alternatively, the folder owner can ZIP the entire folder on their computer and share the single ZIP file instead of a folder.
Do folder sharing permissions affect this download issue?
The issue has been observed even when sharing permissions are explicitly set to 'Can edit'. Changing the permission levels locally is unlikely to resolve this specific WebException failure.
