Permission & Access Issues

How to Remove File Editing Access While Keeping Teams Chat Access

Muhammad Talha Sep 30, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to configure a Microsoft Teams channel so that members have view-only access to files but retain full chat and participation abilities.

How to Remove File Editing Access While Keeping Teams Chat Access

Product: Microsoft Teams
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Restricting file editing permissions for a specific group of users in a Curriculum channel without impacting their communication capabilities.
Observed behavior: By default, team members have both chat and file editing privileges, requiring specific settings to separate file access levels from team participation levels.

Before you start

Ensure you are assigned as a Team Owner or a SharePoint Site Administrator, as standard members do not have the authorization to modify file access settings.

Solution 1Recommended

Modify File Permissions via SharePoint

Manage document permissions directly in the associated SharePoint site to restrict file editing without affecting Teams chat functions.

Microsoft Teams channels store files in a connected SharePoint document library. By modifying the permissions directly in SharePoint, you can decouple file editing rights from standard team communication privileges.

Access the Channel Files

Navigate to the specific channel (e.g., Curriculum) in Microsoft Teams and click on the 'Files' tab at the top of the interface.

Open in SharePoint

Click the three dots (More options) located in the file menu bar and select 'Open in SharePoint' from the dropdown list.

Manage Access

Once SharePoint opens in your browser, select the specific file or folder you want to restrict, click the three vertical dots next to it, and choose 'Manage access'.

Assign View-Only Permissions

Locate the team members group in the access list, click the permission dropdown next to their name, and change it from 'Can edit' to 'Can view'.

Permissions Separated: Your team members will now only be able to read the channel's files while still maintaining full access to post and reply in the channel's chat.

Solution 2

Review General Team Member Permissions

Verify basic team settings to ensure standard members do not have unintended administrative rights.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Collaborate Securely with WPS Office

While Microsoft Teams requires managing complex SharePoint permissions to control file access, WPS Office offers a straightforward, free, and lightweight alternative for sharing documents. With WPS, you can easily set view-only or edit permissions directly from the app.

1. Open the Document: Launch WPS Office and open the specific document, spreadsheet, or presentation you want to share with your team.
2. Click on Share: Locate and click the 'Share' button in the upper right corner of the application window.
3. Set Permissions: Select 'Anyone with the link can view' to prevent accidental edits, then copy the link and share it in your team chat.

Easily share files with customizable view-only or edit permissions via secure links.Fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).Lightweight architecture runs smoothly even on older devices.Free to use with an intuitive interface for seamless document migration.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing SharePoint file permissions remove users from the Teams chat?

No. SharePoint permissions strictly govern the files stored in the document library. Modifying these settings to 'Can view' will not impact a user's ability to participate in Teams conversations.

Can I make the entire Teams channel read-only?

You can restrict members from posting messages by navigating to the channel settings and selecting 'Only owners can post messages'. However, file permissions must still be managed separately via SharePoint.

Why don't I see the 'Open in SharePoint' option in my Teams channel?

This option might be hidden if you are using a specific type of private channel that isn't fully synced, or if your organization's IT administrator has restricted direct access to SharePoint interfaces.

How do I revert a user back to edit access for files?

Follow the same procedure to open the file directory in SharePoint, click 'Manage access' for the specific file or folder, and change the user's permission dropdown from 'Can view' back to 'Can edit'.

Document & File Issues