File Sharing Problems

How to Remove OneDrive and SharePoint Links Created by a Former User

Kushani Nimanthika Oct 10, 2026 869 views

Question details

An administrator needs to identify and remove active OneDrive and SharePoint sharing links created by a departed employee without breaking other users' access.

How to Remove OneDrive and SharePoint Links Created by a Former User

Product: OneDrive and SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Offboarding a former employee and cleaning up their active sharing links to maintain document security.
Observed behavior: Sharing links generated by the former user remain active even after they have left, requiring targeted removal.

Before you start

Before modifying permissions, generate an audit report from the Microsoft 365 Admin Center to accurately identify all items shared by the former employee.

Solution 1Recommended

Manually Remove Specific Sharing Links

Use the Manage Access feature to revoke individual links safely without affecting valid sharing permissions.

Microsoft currently requires administrators to remove these links on an item-by-item basis through the SharePoint or OneDrive interface. While this ensures precise permission control, large-scale cleanup may be time-consuming.

Locate the Shared Item

Use your previously generated audit report to find the specific file or folder in OneDrive or SharePoint.

Access the Details Pane

Select the file or folder, then open the Details pane by clicking the 'i' (info) icon located in the upper-right corner of the screen.

Open Manage Access

In the Details pane, click on 'Manage Access' to view all active sharing links and user permissions for that item.

Delete the Target Link

Under the 'Links' section, identify the specific sharing link created by the former user, and click the trash can or 'Remove' icon to disable it.

Clear Direct Access

If the former user was also granted explicit permission, scroll down to 'Direct Access', find their name, and remove their access rights.

Time Requirement: Because this process must be performed for each item individually, it is best suited for scenarios where the former user only shared a manageable number of files.

Solution 2

Contact Microsoft Support for Enterprise-Scale Cleanup

Reach out to Microsoft Support if the former user shared thousands of items and manual removal is impractical.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

A Lightweight Alternative for Seamless Document Management

If complex Microsoft Office administrative tasks and permission management are slowing down your team, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a secure, lightweight, and highly compatible workspace for your document needs.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download the free installation package for your operating system.
2. Install and Set Up: Run the installer and follow the quick on-screen instructions to set up the software.
3. Manage Files Easily: Sign in to access built-in cloud storage, easily manage sharing permissions, and edit your existing Microsoft Office files.

Completely free and lightweight office suiteFully compatible with Microsoft Office formats (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)Built-in WPS Cloud for secure, easy-to-manage document collaborationFamiliar user interface ensuring zero learning curve for your team

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Will deleting a former employee's account automatically remove their SharePoint sharing links?

No. Sharing links created by the user for files that reside in active SharePoint sites or company drives typically remain active even after their account is deleted. They must be removed manually or via administrative scripts.

How can I find all the files shared by a specific former user?

You can use the Microsoft 365 Compliance Center to generate an audit log report. Search for sharing activities filtered by the former user's account to get a comprehensive list of items they shared.

Is there a built-in button to bulk remove sharing links in SharePoint?

Currently, the standard web interface requires item-by-item removal. For bulk deletion, administrators usually need to write custom PowerShell scripts or contact Microsoft Support for enterprise assistance.

Document & File Issues