File Sharing Problems

How to Fix Disabled SharePoint External Sharing Anyone Option

Ayan Masood Oct 9, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to fix a disabled 'Anyone' sharing option in SharePoint after external sharing has already been enabled in Microsoft 365 and site settings.

How to Fix Disabled SharePoint External Sharing Anyone Option

Product: SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to share a SharePoint folder, file, or list item with external users using the 'Anyone with the link' option.
Observed behavior: The 'Anyone' external sharing option is greyed out or completely disabled in the sharing dialog, preventing the generation of public sharing links.

Before you start

Ensure you are logged in with SharePoint Administrator or Site Collection Administrator credentials, as modifying these sharing configurations requires elevated administrative permissions.

Solution 1Recommended

Deactivate Limited-Access User Permission Lockdown Mode

This site collection feature restricts anonymous access to site content. Deactivating it typically restores the 'Anyone' sharing option.

When the 'Limited-access user permission lockdown mode' is active, it blocks anonymous users from accessing application pages, which directly conflicts with 'Anyone' links. Disabling this feature at the site collection level is the most common fix for this issue.

Open Site Information

Navigate to your SharePoint site, click on the Settings gear icon in the top right corner, and select 'Site Information'.

View All Site Settings

At the bottom of the Site Information panel, click on the 'View all site settings' link.

Access Site Collection Features

Under the 'Site Collection Administration' category, click on 'Site collection features'.

Deactivate Lockdown Mode

Scroll down to locate 'Limited-access user permission lockdown mode'. If it says 'Active', click the 'Deactivate' button and confirm the prompt. Try generating an 'Anyone' link again.

Deactivate Limited-Access User Permission Lockdown Mode

Policy Application Delay: It may take a few minutes for the sharing interface to reflect the changes after deactivating the lockdown mode.

Solution 2

Remove Security Group Sharing Restrictions

Check the SharePoint Admin Center to ensure external sharing is not locked down to specific security groups.

Solution 3

Submit a Support Ticket in Microsoft 365

If all settings and policies are correct but the issue persists, Microsoft support needs to investigate backend HAR logs.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Share and Collaborate on Documents Easily with WPS Office

Tired of dealing with complex SharePoint permissions and admin configurations? WPS Office offers a free, lightweight alternative for document management. With its built-in cloud functionality, you can seamlessly create, edit, and share files using simple links—without wrestling with admin center policies.

1. Open your document: Launch WPS Office and open the document, spreadsheet, or presentation you want to share.
2. Click the Share button: Locate and click the 'Share' button in the top right corner of the application.
3. Generate a sharing link: Select 'Anyone with the link' and customize the view or edit permissions to instantly share your file with external collaborators.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formatsBuilt-in WPS Cloud allows quick external sharing with easily configurable public linksFree and lightweight Office suite that runs smoothly on Windows, Mac, and mobileFamiliar user interface requiring zero learning curve for seamless migration

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the SharePoint 'Anyone' link greyed out even if external sharing is turned on?

This usually happens when site-level features like 'Limited-access user permission lockdown mode' are active, or if your organization's SharePoint Admin Center policies restrict external sharing to specific security groups.

Do I need admin rights to fix the disabled external sharing option in SharePoint?

Yes. Modifying site collection features requires at least Site Collection Administrator privileges, and adjusting organization-wide sharing restrictions requires SharePoint Administrator or Global Administrator privileges.

Can I enable the 'Anyone' link for a single file instead of the whole site?

Sharing policies are hierarchical. They apply at the organization, site, and item levels. If the site-level or organization-level policy strictly disables 'Anyone' links, you cannot override it at the individual item or file level.

Document & File Issues