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How to Configure SharePoint External Link Expiration Settings
Question details
The user needs to understand the license requirements for SharePoint external link expiration and how to enable the missing 'Anyone' link settings.
- Product
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Configuring external document sharing and link expiration policies in the admin center.
- Observed behavior
- The expiration option for Anyone links does not appear when trying to share files, leading to confusion about licensing requirements.
Before adjusting these settings, ensure you have SharePoint Administrator or Global Administrator permissions in your Microsoft 365 tenant, and verify your organization's security policies regarding anonymous link sharing.
Configure Tenant-Level External Sharing Policies
Adjust the global sharing policies in the SharePoint Admin Center to allow 'Anyone' links, which natively enables link expiration features without needing a separate license.
External link expiration settings do not require a special or premium license. Instead, the expiration option may not appear because anonymous sharing is restricted at the tenant level. You must enable 'Anyone' links globally for the expiration configurations to become visible.
Log in to the Microsoft 365 admin portal using your administrator credentials and navigate to the SharePoint Admin Center.
In the left-hand navigation menu, expand the 'Policies' dropdown and click on 'Sharing'.
Under the 'External sharing' section, drag the slider for both SharePoint and OneDrive up to the most permissive setting: 'Anyone'.
Scroll down to 'Advanced settings for Anyone links'. Here, you can define mandatory expiration days for external links across the entire organization.
Adjust Sharing Settings for Specific Active Sites
If tenant settings are correct but the expiration option is still missing for a specific document library, update the site-level sharing configurations.
Simplify Document Sharing and Collaboration with WPS Office
Avoid complex admin center configurations and restrictive tenant policies. WPS Office provides a free, lightweight, and easy-to-use platform for document collaboration. Easily share files with secure links, set permissions seamlessly, and enjoy high compatibility with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- 1. Open your document in WPS Office: Launch WPS Office and open the document, spreadsheet, or presentation you need to share.
- 2. Click the Share button: Click the 'Share' button located in the top right corner of the application interface.
- 3. Set link permissions: Choose your desired sharing permissions (e.g., View Only, Edit) and specify link validity periods directly.
- 4. Copy and send the link: Copy the generated sharing link and send it directly to your collaborators without needing admin approvals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a premium Microsoft 365 license to set an expiration date on SharePoint links?
No, external link expiration settings do not require a separate or premium license. The feature is controlled by your tenant and site sharing policies in the SharePoint Admin Center.
Why is the option to set an expiration date missing for my SharePoint links?
The expiration option for 'Anyone' links will not appear unless anonymous sharing is enabled. You must set the sharing level to 'Anyone' at both the global tenant level (under Policies > Sharing) and the specific active site level.
Can I force all external sharing links to expire after a certain number of days?
Yes. A SharePoint Administrator can enforce a mandatory expiration limit for all 'Anyone' links globally by adjusting the 'Advanced settings for Anyone links' under the Policies > Sharing menu in the Admin Center.
Are site-level sharing settings allowed to be more permissive than tenant-level settings?
No, site-level external sharing settings cannot be more permissive than the organization-wide tenant settings. The global tenant setting acts as a strict upper limit for all individual sites.
