File Sharing Problems

Fix SharePoint Manage Access Missing Users or External Links

Maira Mehtab Sep 27, 2026 871 views

Question details

The user is experiencing issues where SharePoint's Manage Access panel hides sharing details for certain users, and externally shared links fail to function properly for outside collaborators.

Product: SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Sharing documents or folders with external users and reviewing access permissions in the Manage Access pane.
Observed behavior: Read-only users cannot see all sharing item information, and the 'Copy Link' feature generates internal links (containing /r/) that do not work for external users needing verification codes, compared to the correct external link format (containing /s/).

Before you start

Ensure you have Edit or Owner permissions for the SharePoint file or folder to view complete sharing details and generate external links.

Solution 1Recommended

Upgrade User Permissions to View Full Access Details

Ensure the user has the correct permissions to view sharing links in the Manage Access panel.

Recent updates to SharePoint restrict Read-only users from viewing full sharing details. If a user receives a message stating they cannot see all item information, their permission level must be elevated by an administrator.

Open Manage Access

Select the file or folder in SharePoint, click the three vertical dots (ellipsis) next to it, and choose 'Manage Access' from the context menu.

Grant Edit Permissions

Locate the specific user or group under the People tab, click on their current permission level, and upgrade it from 'Can view' (Read) to 'Can edit' to restore visibility of sharing links.

Solution 2

Correct External Link Generation

Avoid using the standard Copy Link button if it generates internal-only links that lock out external users.

Solution 3

Submit Feedback for Manage Access Disruptions

Report ongoing Manage Access UI changes and link generation bugs directly to Microsoft.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why do external users get an error when opening a SharePoint link?

If the URL was generated using 'Copy Link', it might contain an '/r/', which designates it as an internal link. External users who authenticate with a verification code typically require an externally shared link containing an '/s/' in the URL to successfully access the file.

Why am I receiving a message that I cannot see all item information in Manage Access?

This typically happens if you only have Read permissions. SharePoint restricts the visibility of sharing-link details for users without Edit permissions, preventing them from viewing the full list of users with access.

Is there a workaround if the Manage Access pane isn't displaying properly?

As a temporary workaround, you can use the 'Copy Link' function to quickly grab a shareable link. However, you must verify whether the recipient is an internal user or requires external authentication, as the link type may vary.

Document & File Issues