File Sharing Problems

How to Block File Sharing on a SharePoint Site

Maira Mehtab Sep 27, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to know how to restrict members from sharing files, folders, and overall site content on a SharePoint site.

Product: Microsoft SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Managing site access and security to prevent unauthorized sharing of SharePoint resources.
Observed behavior: Site owners want to enforce a rule where only they can share content, even if the 'Share' option remains visible to users with restricted permissions.

Before you start

Ensure you have Site Owner or Site Collection Administrator privileges before attempting to modify sharing permissions on the SharePoint site.

Solution 1Recommended

Modify Basic Site Permissions to Restrict Sharing

Use the standard site permissions menu to quickly limit sharing capabilities strictly to site owners.

Open Site Permissions

Navigate to your SharePoint site, click the Settings (Gear) icon in the top right corner, and select 'Site Permissions'.

Access Sharing Settings

Click on 'Change how members can share' located under the site sharing settings section.

Restrict Sharing to Owners

Select the option 'Only site owners can share files, folders, and the site', then save your changes.

Visibility Note: The 'Share' button may still appear for members on the interface, but the system will block them from successfully sharing content.

Solution 2

Disable Sharing via Access Request Settings

Use the advanced permission settings to thoroughly disable the ability for members to share the site and its content.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why can members still see the 'Share' button after I restricted permissions?

In SharePoint, the 'Share' button often remains visible by default even if a user lacks the permission to use it. However, if they try to share a file, the system will prevent the action and may prompt them to send an access request to the site owner instead.

Does restricting sharing affect existing shared links?

Changing the sharing settings to 'Only site owners can share' stops members from generating new sharing links or adding new users. It typically does not revoke access for users who were already granted permissions, which must be managed separately in the Manage Access panel.

How do I allow members to share specific folders but not the whole site?

You need to stop inheriting permissions for that specific folder. Go to the folder's 'Manage Access' settings, select 'Advanced', break permission inheritance, and then assign specific edit or contribute permissions to the members for that individual folder.

Can I completely disable external sharing on a SharePoint site?

Yes, but this is usually done at the SharePoint admin center level. A SharePoint Administrator can select the site in the Active sites list and change the external sharing setting to 'Only people in your organization'.

Document & File Issues