Permission & Access Issues

How to Fix Unknown Guest Accessing OneDrive File Without Sharing Link

Chanuka Geekiyanage Oct 19, 2026 868 views

Question details

Users need to identify why unfamiliar guest names are appearing in their personal OneDrive files and how to secure their documents.

How to Identify Unknown Guests Accessing a OneDrive File

Product: Microsoft OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Collaborating on or viewing a file stored in Microsoft OneDrive.
Observed behavior: An unfamiliar guest name (often a botanical name like Redbud, Spruce, or Yucca) appears in the active viewers list, even when no active sharing link is visibly listed, raising concerns about unauthorized access.

Before you start

Before proceeding, ensure you have administrative or owner access to the OneDrive file in question so you can accurately view and manage its sharing permissions.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify Collaborator Identity via Simultaneous Sign-in

Determine if the unknown guest is actually a known collaborator who has been assigned a temporary anonymous alias by OneDrive.

Microsoft OneDrive frequently assigns random botanical names (such as Redbud, Spruce, Yucca, or Tulipwood) to users who access a file via an anonymous sharing link without signing into a Microsoft account. This often means a colleague or friend is simply viewing the file without being logged in.

Coordinate a sign-in session

Contact the people you have intentionally shared the file with and ask them to open the document at the same time.

Observe the guest name appearance

Watch the active viewers list in the top right corner of the screen. If the botanical guest name appears exactly when your known contact opens the file, you can confirm it belongs to them.

Check the profile indicator

Look at the guest's profile icon. Often, their actual initials will still appear in a solid-colored circle, even if the display name shows as a generic botanical guest.

Verify Collaborator Identity via Simultaneous Sign-in

Botanical Guest Names: OneDrive uses these botanical names specifically for unauthenticated guest sessions. Seeing one does not immediately indicate a hacker or unauthorized access.

Solution 2

Review and Manage File Access Settings

Audit the file's sharing settings to ensure no hidden or forgotten sharing links are allowing anonymous access.

Solution 3

Check Microsoft Account Security

If you suspect the guest access is truly unauthorized, take immediate steps to secure your Microsoft account against potential breaches.

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Try WPS Office for Secure and Controlled File Sharing

If OneDrive's anonymous guest naming conventions cause confusion or security concerns, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office, featuring its own secure cloud storage with straightforward, precise file-sharing controls.

1. Download WPS Office: Install the free WPS Office suite on your preferred device.
2. Log in to WPS Cloud: Create or sign in to your WPS account to access secure cloud storage.
3. Share with precision: Upload your files and use WPS's straightforward sharing settings to grant access only to specific, authenticated users.

Highly compatible with Microsoft Office formats (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)Precise file sharing controls with clear, identifiable user accessFree and lightweight alternative to Microsoft 365Built-in secure cloud storage for safe document collaboration

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does OneDrive use names like Redbud, Spruce, or Yucca?

Microsoft automatically assigns temporary botanical names (such as Redbud, Spruce, Yucca, or Tulipwood) to users who access a file via an anonymous 'Anyone with the link' sharing link without being signed into a Microsoft account.

Does seeing an unknown guest mean my OneDrive is hacked?

Not necessarily. It usually means a known contact or colleague is accessing the file via a previously generated sharing link while logged out of their account. However, you should check your sharing settings to ensure the link wasn't forwarded to unintended recipients.

How can I stop anonymous guests from viewing my OneDrive files?

To prevent anonymous access, open the file's 'Manage access' panel in OneDrive and delete any active 'Anyone with the link' sharing links. You can then re-share the file using the 'Specific people' option, which forces users to authenticate.

Document & File Issues