File Sharing Problems

Fix OneDrive Showing Unshared Folders in Shared by You View

Rana Garcia Sep 25, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to remove folders from the 'Shared by You' view in OneDrive that they did not intentionally share.

How to Fix OneDrive Showing Unshared Folders in 'Shared by You'

Product: Microsoft OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Checking shared files and managing folder permissions within the OneDrive interface.
Observed behavior: OneDrive displays certain folders in the 'Shared by You' section, indicating active sharing links, even though the owner did not actively share them.

Before you start

Ensure you are logged into the correct Microsoft account and verify if any parent folders have broad sharing permissions that might be trickling down to the affected subfolders.

Solution 1Recommended

Remove Unintended Sharing Links and Set Folders to Private

The most effective way to remove these folders from the 'Shared by You' view is to manually revoke any existing sharing permissions or links.

Sometimes folders inherit sharing permissions or retain old sharing links that were generated accidentally. Manually managing access will stop the sharing and remove the folder from the public view.

Access the Shared View

Log into your OneDrive account on the web and click on 'Shared' in the left-hand navigation pane, then select the 'Shared by You' tab.

Open Access Management

Locate the folder that you did not intend to share, right-click on it, and select 'Manage access' from the context menu.

Delete the Sharing Link

In the Manage Access panel, look for any active sharing links. Click the 'Trash' icon or 'Stop Sharing' next to the link to revoke access and set the folder back to Private.

Remove Unintended Sharing Links and Set Folders to Private

Cross-Platform Syncing: Once you delete the sharing link on the web, the changes will sync across all your devices, including the OneDrive Android or iOS apps.

Solution 2

Verify the Issue Across Different Browsers and Networks

Testing on different environments helps determine whether the issue is a local browser caching glitch or a genuine account-level permission error.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why do folders I didn't share appear in my OneDrive 'Shared by You' list?

This typically occurs if a folder inherits sharing permissions from a parent folder that was shared, or if a sharing link was accidentally generated in the past. It may also happen due to rare synchronization delays across devices.

Will deleting the sharing link delete my actual files?

No, deleting a sharing link from the 'Manage access' panel only revokes access for other users. Your original files and folders will remain safely stored in your private OneDrive account.

How can I see exactly who has access to my OneDrive folders?

You can view permissions by right-clicking the specific file or folder, selecting 'Manage access', and reviewing the list of individuals and active links. This panel details everyone who has permission to view or edit the contents.

Document & File Issues