File Sharing Problems

How to Fix and Access an Expired OneDrive Shared Link

Maira Mehtab Sep 21, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user and their colleagues need to regain access to a shared online document after the OneDrive sharing link has expired.

Product: OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to collaborate on a shared document but being blocked by an expired sharing link.
Observed behavior: The shared link is no longer valid, preventing anyone with the link from opening the associated file.

Before you start

Ensure you are signed in to the Microsoft account that owns the document and verify that the file has not been deleted or moved from its original location.

Solution 1Recommended

Remove the Link Expiration Date

If you used an 'Anyone' link and have the appropriate permissions, you can remove the expiration date directly from the link settings.

This method works best for personal OneDrive accounts or enterprise accounts where administrators have not strictly enforced expiration policies on public links.

Open OneDrive on the Web

Log into your OneDrive account through your web browser and locate the shared file.

Access Link Settings

Select the file, click on the 'Share' button, and open the link settings gear icon.

Remove the Expiration Date

Look for the expiration date field and clear it or remove it entirely, then save your changes.

Solution 2

Create a New Organization-Only Link

Use this solution if your Microsoft 365 administrator prevents you from removing expiration dates on public links.

Solution 3

Restore the File if Missing

Sometimes a link appears to be broken or expired because the underlying file was accidentally deleted.

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If you find Microsoft 365 sharing policies and expiring links restrictive, consider switching to WPS Office. It offers a lightweight, highly compatible alternative with intuitive cloud collaboration features, allowing you to share files with flexible permissions easily.

1. Download WPS Office: Install the free WPS Office suite on your preferred device.
2. Open and Share: Open your document and click the 'Share' button in the top right corner.
3. Set Custom Link Permissions: Choose the validity period of your link (including permanent options) and easily share it with colleagues.

Create flexible file sharing links without restrictive default expiration datesFully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint file formatsFree and lightweight office suite for seamless collaboration across teamsBuilt-in cloud storage for easy file backup and synchronization

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the option to remove the expiration date grayed out?

Your Microsoft 365 organization administrator has likely configured a security policy that forces all public 'Anyone' sharing links to expire after a certain number of days. You cannot bypass this as an end user.

Does my file get deleted when the OneDrive link expires?

No, only the link itself becomes invalid. Your original document remains safe and untouched within your personal or enterprise OneDrive account.

Can I extend the expiration date instead of removing it completely?

Yes, if organizational policies permit, you can open the link settings in OneDrive and select a new expiration date further in the future rather than removing it entirely.

Document & File Issues