Permission & Access Issues

How to Remove the SharePoint 2019 Edit Button for Members

Emma Brown Oct 21, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to hide the Edit button and prevent members or contributors from editing pages in a SharePoint 2019 on-premises environment.

How to Remove the SharePoint 2019 Edit Button for Members

Product: SharePoint 2019
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Managing site and page permissions to restrict editing capabilities for specific user groups on a SharePoint intranet site.
Observed behavior: The Edit button remains visible to users in the Members group, allowing them to modify page content.

Before you start

Ensure you are logged in with an account that has Site Owner or Full Control permissions for the SharePoint 2019 on-premises site.

Solution 1Recommended

Restrict Editing via SharePoint Permission Levels

The most secure and native way to remove the Edit button is to downgrade the target group's permissions from Contribute or Edit to Read.

Instead of hiding the UI element via code, adjusting the permission level ensures that users cannot bypass the hidden button by using direct URLs to edit the page.

Access Site Permissions

Click the gear icon (Settings) in the top right corner of your SharePoint site and select 'Site permissions' or 'Site settings' > 'Site permissions'.

Modify Group Permissions

Select the checkbox next to the Members group (or the specific group you want to restrict), then click 'Edit User Permissions' in the ribbon.

Assign Read Access

Uncheck the 'Edit' or 'Contribute' permission levels, check the 'Read' permission level instead, and click 'OK' to apply the changes.

Restrict Editing via SharePoint Permission Levels

Verification: Log in with a test account belonging to the Members group to verify that the Edit button is no longer visible on the page.

Solution 2

Consult Microsoft Q&A for Advanced On-Premises Customization

If you need to hide the button while retaining editing permissions for backend lists, you should seek guidance from the official Microsoft SharePoint server team.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hide the Edit button using CSS in SharePoint 2019?

Yes, administrators sometimes use custom CSS via a Script Editor web part to hide the `#pageEditAction` element. However, modifying permission levels is highly recommended as CSS only hides the button visually but does not revoke actual editing permissions.

What is the difference between Read and Contribute permissions?

Users with Read permissions can view pages and download documents but cannot edit content or see the Edit button. Contribute permissions allow users to view, add, update, and delete list items and documents.

Why can Members still edit the page after changing group permissions?

This usually happens if the specific page or the Site Pages library has unique permissions that break inheritance from the parent site. You must check the specific library settings and ensure it inherits permissions from the site, or manually update the permissions on that specific library.

Document & File Issues