Permission & Access Issues

How to Remove a Former User's Permission from a OneDrive Folder

Maira Mehtab Sep 21, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to remove a former employee's read-only access to a OneDrive folder, but the standard removal option is disabled.

Product: OneDrive / SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Revoking shared file or folder access for a former employee to maintain data security.
Observed behavior: The option to remove the user's read-only access is greyed out, disabled, or unresponsive in the standard OneDrive interface.

Before you start

Ensure you are logged into OneDrive or SharePoint with an administrator or owner account, as standard users do not have the necessary privileges to manage site permissions.

Solution 1

Use an InPrivate or Incognito Browser Window

Use this method to quickly rule out browser cache or conflicting account session issues that might disable the permission settings.

Open a private browsing session

Launch your web browser and open an InPrivate window (Microsoft Edge) or Incognito window (Google Chrome).

Log in to OneDrive

Navigate to OneDrive on the web and sign in with your site owner credentials.

Attempt removal

Go to the folder's 'Manage Access' panel and try removing the former user's access again.

Solution 2Recommended

Remove the User via the Classic Settings Page

Use the older SharePoint site collection settings page to force the deletion of the user from the site's permission groups.

Solution 3

Verify Site Type and Test Other Users

Determine if the issue is isolated to a specific user account or tied to how the SharePoint site manages inherited permissions.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the option to remove a user greyed out in OneDrive?

This usually happens if you lack the required administrator privileges, if the folder is inheriting permissions from a parent folder or SharePoint site, or due to a temporary browser cache issue.

What is the difference between OneDrive and SharePoint permissions?

OneDrive is designed primarily for individual file storage with specific sharing options, while SharePoint is built for team collaboration, often utilizing broader group-based site collection permissions.

Can I remove someone's access if I am not the folder owner?

No. Only the file owner, folder owner, or an organization's IT administrator has the authority to revoke or modify access permissions for other users.

How do I stop sharing a OneDrive folder entirely?

To stop sharing completely, select the folder, open the 'Manage Access' panel, click the 'More Options' (three dots) menu, and choose 'Stop Sharing'. This will instantly revoke access for all non-owners.

Document & File Issues