File Sharing Problems

How to Fix Microsoft Forms Link Deprecation Errors in PowerPoint

Algirdas Jasaitis Sep 27, 2026 868 views

Question details

Users encounter a link deprecation error page when clicking a Microsoft Forms link embedded in a PowerPoint presentation.

How to Fix Microsoft Forms Link Deprecation Errors in PowerPoint

Product: Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Forms
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Sharing a PowerPoint presentation containing a Microsoft Forms quiz or survey link with other respondents.
Observed behavior: The form hyperlink opens correctly for the presentation owner but redirects to a deprecation error page for all other users.

Before you start

Ensure you are logged into the Microsoft account that owns the original Microsoft Form so you have the correct permissions to generate a new sharing link.

Solution 1Recommended

Generate and Replace the Forms Sharing Link

Creating a fresh 'Collect responses' link in Microsoft Forms and replacing the old URL in your presentation usually resolves the deprecation issue.

Microsoft Forms URLs can expire, change format, or be tied strictly to the owner's session. Replacing the old hyperlink in PowerPoint with a newly generated response link ensures external users can access the form without hitting a deprecation wall.

Open Microsoft Forms

Navigate to Microsoft Forms in your web browser and log in with the account that created the form.

Generate a new link

Open your specific quiz or form, click the 'Collect responses' button in the top right corner, and select your preferred permission level, such as 'Anyone can respond'.

Copy the new URL

Click the 'Copy link' button to save the newly generated response URL to your clipboard.

Update the PowerPoint link

Open your PowerPoint presentation, locate the old Forms hyperlink, right-click it, select 'Edit Link', and paste the new URL into the address box.

Generate and Replace the Forms Sharing Link

Verify with an Incognito Window: To ensure the link works for non-owners, paste the copied URL into a private or incognito browsing window before updating it in PowerPoint.

Solution 2

Update PowerPoint and Verify Permissions

Ensure PowerPoint is fully updated, as older versions might incorrectly handle modern URL redirects.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Presentation for Seamless Link Sharing

If you frequently encounter compatibility or link handling issues in Microsoft PowerPoint, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative for creating and sharing presentations without unexpected URL errors.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download and install the free WPS Office suite.
2. Open your presentation: Launch WPS Presentation and open your existing .pptx files seamlessly.
3. Insert hyperlinks: Highlight your text, go to the 'Insert' tab, click 'Hyperlink', and paste your web form URLs.

Fully compatible with Microsoft PowerPoint (.pptx) formatsEasily embed and open external hyperlinks and web forms without redirect errorsLightweight software that runs smoothly on older and newer systems alikeFree to use with a familiar, user-friendly interface

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Microsoft Forms link say deprecated?

A deprecation error usually occurs when you share an internal editing URL instead of the official 'Collect responses' link, or if Microsoft has updated their link infrastructure causing older URLs to expire.

How do I make sure anyone can open my Forms link in a presentation?

When generating the link in Microsoft Forms, click 'Collect responses' and change the permission setting from 'Only people in my organization can respond' to 'Anyone can respond' before copying the link.

Will updating PowerPoint fix hyperlink errors?

Yes, older versions of PowerPoint (such as certain LTSC 2021 builds) may have trouble processing modern web redirects. Updating your software via 'File' > 'Account' > 'Update Options' often resolves these compatibility issues.

Document & File Issues