Permission & Access Issues

How to Remove Hidden or Inherited OneDrive Folder Access

Phi Hung Vo Sep 28, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to remove a specific account's access to a OneDrive folder, but the account is hidden in the standard permissions lists.

How to Remove Hidden or Inherited Folder Access in OneDrive

Product: OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Managing folder sharing and user access permissions in OneDrive or SharePoint.
Observed behavior: An account appears under OneDrive 'Manage Access' but is missing from both the visible folder permissions and the advanced permissions list, making it impossible to select or remove the account directly.

Before you start

Ensure you have administrative privileges or site owner permissions for the OneDrive or SharePoint site, as modifying inherited site collection permissions requires elevated access.

Solution 1Recommended

Remove Inherited Access via Site Collection Permissions

Use this solution to identify and remove the user at the parent folder or site collection level where the permission originated.

When an account does not show up in a specific folder's advanced permissions, the access is usually inherited from a higher level, such as a parent folder, a SharePoint group, or a site collection permission. To revoke access, you must trace the permission back to its source and remove it there.

Modify the OneDrive URL

Log in to OneDrive on the web. Modify the URL in your browser's address bar to access the backend SharePoint site collection settings for your OneDrive.

Open Site Permissions

Click the gear icon (Settings) in the top right corner and select 'Site permissions' or navigate to 'Advanced permissions settings'.

Locate the Source of Access

Review the site collection permissions, SharePoint groups, and sharing links. Identify the specific group or parent permission level that is granting the hidden account access to your folder.

Remove the User

Select the account or group and remove its access at this source level. Once deleted, return to your original OneDrive folder and check 'Manage access' to confirm the account has been removed.

Remove Inherited Access via Site Collection Permissions

Administrator Rights Required: If you cannot access the site collection permissions or modify the URL successfully, you may need to contact your organization's SharePoint or Microsoft 365 administrator to perform this action.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does a user appear in OneDrive Manage Access but not in advanced permissions?

The user likely gained access through a parent folder's inherited permissions, a broader SharePoint group, or an organization-wide sharing link rather than direct folder-level assignment.

Do I need admin rights to remove site collection permissions?

Yes, modifying root site collection permissions typically requires SharePoint Administrator or Microsoft 365 Global Administrator privileges, depending on your organization's directory setup.

How do I stop a OneDrive folder from inheriting permissions?

In the Advanced permissions settings of the specific folder, click on 'Stop Inheriting Permissions' in the top ribbon. This breaks the link with the parent folder, allowing you to manage the folder's access independently.

Document & File Issues