Permission & Access Issues

How to Remove Microsoft 365 Group Access from a SharePoint Folder

Natalie Taylor Sep 27, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to restrict access to a specific SharePoint folder so only selected users can view it, without removing other users from the Microsoft 365 Group or losing their access to the rest of the SharePoint site.

How to Remove Microsoft 365 Group Access from a Specific SharePoint Folder

Product: Microsoft SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Managing document library permissions to secure sensitive folders while keeping the overarching site accessible to the entire team.
Observed behavior: By default, Microsoft 365 Group owners and members automatically inherit access to all folders and files within the associated SharePoint site.

Before you start

Ensure you have Site Owner or Full Control permissions on the SharePoint site to modify folder permissions and break inheritance. Also, verify who currently holds the Site Administrator role, as their access cannot be restricted at the folder level.

Solution 1Recommended

Break Inheritance and Configure Unique Folder Permissions

Use this method to detach the folder's permissions from the main site, allowing you to remove group access and grant entry only to specific individuals.

SharePoint folders inherit permissions from their parent site by default. To restrict a folder, you must first stop this inheritance. Once broken, you can safely remove the Microsoft 365 Group members from the folder without affecting their access to the rest of the site.

Access folder permissions

Navigate to your SharePoint document library, click the three vertical dots (ellipses) next to the target folder, and select 'Manage Access'.

Open advanced settings

In the Manage Access panel, scroll to the bottom and click on 'Advanced' to open the classic permissions management page.

Stop inheriting permissions

In the ribbon at the top of the Advanced permissions page, click 'Stop Inheriting Permissions' and confirm the prompt. The folder is now disconnected from site-wide permission rules.

Remove group access

Check the boxes next to the Microsoft 365 Group Members and Group Owners. Click 'Remove User Permissions' in the ribbon to revoke their access to this specific folder.

Grant specific access

Click 'Grant Permissions' in the ribbon, enter the names or email addresses of the specific users who should have access, choose their permission level, and click 'Share'.

Break Inheritance and Configure Unique Folder Permissions

Site Administrator Access: Site administrators retain broad access to all site content and cannot be excluded from a specific folder. If an administrator needs to be restricted, you must remove them from the Site Admin role at the site level first.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why can a Site Administrator still access the restricted folder?

Site Administrators have overarching, unrestricted access to all content within the SharePoint site. To prevent a Site Administrator from accessing a specific folder, you must first demote them to a lower permission level (like a standard Member) at the site level.

Will stopping permission inheritance on one folder affect other folders?

No. When you click 'Stop Inheriting Permissions', it only breaks the inheritance link for that specific folder. All other folders in the document library will continue to inherit permissions from the parent site.

Are restricted folders visible to users who don't have access?

By default, SharePoint security trims the user interface. This means that if a user does not have at least 'Read' access to a specific folder, the folder will be completely hidden from their view in the document library.

Can I re-enable permission inheritance later if I change my mind?

Yes. If you want the folder to revert to the site's default permissions, go back to the Advanced permissions page for that folder and click 'Delete unique permissions' in the ribbon. It will immediately inherit site permissions again.

Document & File Issues