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Fix OneDrive Sharing Error: This Item Might Not Exist
Question details
External users are unable to access a shared OneDrive folder and receive a 'does not exist' error, despite the folder existing and permissions being granted.
- Product
- Microsoft OneDrive
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Sharing OneDrive folders with external users via sharing links.
- Observed behavior
- When opening the shared link, users see the error message: 'This item might not exist or is no longer available'.
Ensure you have Microsoft 365 administrator privileges if you need to adjust tenant-level external sharing policies, and verify the original file hasn't been moved or deleted.
Verify External Sharing Policies in Microsoft 365 Admin Center
Ensure that your organization's tenant settings are configured to allow sharing with external guests.
If external sharing is restricted at the tenant level, guest users will encounter errors even if specific folder permissions are seemingly granted. This requires admin access to resolve.
Sign in to the Microsoft 365 admin center using your administrator credentials.
Navigate to 'Settings' in the left-hand menu, then select 'SharePoint' or 'Org settings'.
Check the external sharing level for SharePoint and OneDrive. Adjust the sliders to ensure they are set to allow 'Anyone' or 'New and existing guests', depending on your organization's security policy.
Save your changes, wait a few minutes for policies to propagate, and generate a new sharing link to test with the external user.
Check File Path Limits and Test a New Folder
Overly long file paths or corrupted folder configurations can trigger 'does not exist' errors for external links.
Contact Microsoft 365 Support for Backend Investigation
If permissions and paths are correct and new folders also fail, the issue may require Microsoft's backend intervention.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does OneDrive say a file is no longer available when I just shared it?
This usually happens if the file or folder was moved, renamed, or deleted immediately after the link was generated. It can also occur if your organization's IT policies block external sharing, preventing the link from resolving for guests.
Can external users access OneDrive links without a Microsoft account?
Yes, if the sharing link is set to 'Anyone with the link' (anonymous sharing). However, if the link is restricted to 'Specific people', the recipient may need to verify their identity via a one-time email code or by signing in with a Microsoft account.
How do I fix a corrupted OneDrive sharing link?
To fix a corrupted link, navigate to the file or folder in OneDrive, click the 'Manage Access' icon (three dots), delete the existing sharing link, and then create a brand new link to share with your recipients.
