File Sharing Problems

How to Change OneDrive Link Default from Edit to View

Maira Mehtab Sep 20, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to change the default sharing link permission in OneDrive from 'Edit' to 'View' to prevent accidental modifications by link recipients.

Product: OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Generating sharing links for files or folders.
Observed behavior: OneDrive automatically defaults to 'Anyone with the link can edit' when creating a sharing link, and there is no obvious way to make 'View' the default setting globally.

Before you start

Before sharing sensitive files, always double-check the permission settings on the generated link to ensure unintended edits do not alter your original document.

Solution 1Recommended

Manually Change Link Permissions to View-Only

Since personal OneDrive accounts do not currently offer a global setting to change the default link permission, you must adjust it manually each time you share a file.

Microsoft defaults to editing permissions to encourage collaboration. For standard users, the only immediate workaround is to alter the link settings during the sharing process before copying the link.

Open sharing settings

Right-click your file in OneDrive and select 'Share', or click the Share icon next to the file name.

Access link permissions

Click on the text that says 'Anyone with the link can edit' to open the detailed link settings menu.

Switch to view-only

Uncheck the 'Allow editing' box (or select the 'Can view' option, depending on your OneDrive version) and click 'Apply'.

Copy the secure link

Click 'Copy link' to generate the new view-only URL and share it with your recipients.

Administrator Settings: If you are using a Microsoft 365 Business or Enterprise account, your IT administrator can change the global default link permission to 'View' from the SharePoint Admin Center.

Solution 2

Submit Product Feedback to Microsoft

Request that Microsoft adds a default view-only permission setting for personal accounts by submitting feedback directly through the OneDrive interface.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can OneDrive Administrators change the default sharing link permission?

Yes. If you are using an Enterprise, School, or Business account, Microsoft 365 administrators can change the default sharing link type from 'Edit' to 'View' globally within the SharePoint Admin Center.

Why does OneDrive default to Edit permissions?

Microsoft defaults to 'Edit' to encourage collaboration among users, making it easier to instantly co-author documents without requiring additional permission requests or steps.

Can I set an expiration date on a view-only OneDrive link?

Yes. When creating a sharing link in OneDrive, you can click on the link settings to set a specific expiration date. Note that this feature may require a premium Microsoft 365 subscription for personal accounts.

How can I tell who viewed or edited my OneDrive file?

You can check the 'Manage Access' panel or the 'Version History' of the file in OneDrive to see recent activities, including who has accessed the file and what changes were made by collaborators.

Document & File Issues