OneDrive File Issues

Fix OneDrive Request Files Showing Guest Contributor Instead of Name

John Wilson Sep 28, 2026 872 views

Question details

Users uploading files via a OneDrive Request Files link appear as 'Guest Contributor' instead of their actual name in the Creator field.

How to Fix OneDrive Request Files Showing Guest Contributor Instead of the User Name

Product: Microsoft OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Uploading files through a OneDrive Request Files link.
Observed behavior: The uploaded files are attributed to 'Guest Contributor' or have the uploader's name appended to the filename rather than correctly updating the Creator metadata field.

Before you start

Ensure the person uploading the files actually has a Microsoft account and is actively signed in before using the Request Files link.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify Microsoft Account Sign-In and Clear Browser Data

Ensure the uploader is properly authenticated and browser cache issues aren't preventing metadata detection.

Often, this issue occurs when the uploader's browser does not retain their Microsoft account session properly, causing OneDrive to treat them as an anonymous guest.

Check Microsoft Account Status

Ask the uploader to sign in to their Microsoft account in the browser before clicking the Request Files link.

Clear Browser Cache and Cookies

If already signed in, open the browser settings, navigate to privacy or history options, and clear the cache and cookies to remove corrupted session data.

Try an Alternative Browser

Open the Request Files link in a different supported browser (like Edge or Chrome) or use an Incognito/Private window to rule out extension conflicts.

Verify Microsoft Account Sign-In and Clear Browser Data

File Naming Behavior: When users are not signed in, OneDrive automatically appends their manually entered name to the file name to help you identify the uploader.

Solution 2

Contact Microsoft Support for Metadata Issues

If local browser troubleshooting fails, the issue may be a backend sync error requiring Microsoft Support.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does OneDrive append the uploader's name to the file name?

When an uploader is not signed into a Microsoft account, OneDrive prompts them for their name and adds it as a prefix to the original file name. This is a fallback mechanism to help you identify who sent the file when proper account metadata isn't available.

Can I force users to sign in before uploading to a Request Files link?

No, the Request Files feature in OneDrive is intentionally designed to allow anyone to upload without needing a Microsoft account. You cannot enforce a strict sign-in requirement for this specific feature.

How do I view the original Creator metadata for uploaded files?

Select the file in OneDrive online, click the 'i' (Details) icon in the top right corner, and review the properties pane to see the author and modified details.

Document & File Issues