Permission & Access Issues

How to Prevent SharePoint Members from Creating Files or Folders

Nimra Malik Sep 30, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to configure SharePoint permissions to allow members to edit existing files while explicitly preventing them from creating new files or folders.

How to Prevent SharePoint Members from Creating Files or Folders

Product: Microsoft SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Configuring document library and folder access rights for team collaboration.
Observed behavior: Standard SharePoint permission levels bundle the ability to edit files with the ability to create new ones, making it difficult to restrict creation without removing edit access.

Before you start

Ensure you have Site Owner or Full Control permissions on the SharePoint site, as modifying advanced permission levels and breaking inheritance requires administrative access.

Solution 1Recommended

Stop Permission Inheritance and Manage Access

Break the inherited permissions of a specific folder or library to apply custom access rules.

By default, SharePoint folders inherit permissions from their parent library or site. To restrict creation rights on specific folders, you must first stop this inheritance.

Note that SharePoint's default 'Edit' or 'Contribute' levels generally include creation rights. If custom permission levels are not available in your environment, you may need to rely on restructuring your libraries.

Open Library Settings

Navigate to the SharePoint document library and select the specific folder you want to restrict.

Access Manage Access

Click the three dots (ellipsis) next to the folder name and select 'Manage Access' from the dropdown menu.

Open Advanced Settings

Scroll down in the Manage Access panel and click on 'Advanced' to open the classic advanced permissions page.

Stop Inheriting Permissions

In the top ribbon of the permissions page, click 'Stop Inheriting Permissions' to allow unique rules for this specific folder.

Assign Restrictive Permissions

Select the members or groups, click 'Edit User Permissions', and assign an appropriate level (such as a custom 'Edit without Create' level if your admin has created one).

Stop Permission Inheritance and Manage Access

Solution 2

Separate Content into Dedicated Libraries

Organize editable files and read-only files into separate document libraries to avoid complex item-level permissions.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I create a custom permission level in SharePoint to allow editing but not creating?

Yes, if you have Site Collection Administrator rights, you can go to Site Settings > Site Permissions > Permission Levels. You can duplicate the 'Contribute' level, uncheck the 'Add Items' permission, and save it as a new custom level for users to edit without creating.

Why do users still have access after I change a folder's permissions?

If permissions are inherited from the parent site or library, modifying the folder's basic access might not override the inherited rights. You must explicitly click 'Stop Inheriting Permissions' in the Advanced settings before applying new restrictive access levels.

Is it better to use item-level permissions or separate libraries?

For long-term maintainability, organizing content into separate document libraries based on required access levels is highly recommended. Breaking inheritance for individual items or folders can quickly become unmanageable as the site grows.

What is the difference between 'Edit' and 'Contribute' permissions in SharePoint?

The 'Edit' permission allows users to add, edit, and delete lists or document libraries entirely. The 'Contribute' permission restricts users from modifying the structure of the lists, but they can still add, edit, and delete individual items and documents within them.

Document & File Issues