File Sharing Problems

How to Remove Your Name from OneDrive Modified By Metadata

Olivia Miller Oct 10, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs a way to hide or remove their account name from the 'Modified by' column in OneDrive when sharing files, primarily for double-blind peer reviews.

How to Remove Your Name from OneDrive Modified By Metadata

Product: Microsoft OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Sharing files anonymously for a double-blind peer review process where the author's identity must remain concealed.
Observed behavior: OneDrive automatically displays the account name of the file owner or modifier in the 'Modified by' metadata column without a built-in option to hide it.

Before you start

Since OneDrive does not currently offer a built-in feature to hide author names on shared web links, you will need to prepare your files locally and consider alternative delivery methods.

Solution 1Recommended

Remove Personal Information Using Document Inspector

Use the desktop version of Microsoft Word to strip author metadata and personal information from your files before sending them.

While this method removes internal metadata from the document itself, please note that uploading the sanitized file back to OneDrive and sharing a link will still display your OneDrive account name in the web interface.

Download the file

Download your document from OneDrive to your local computer.

Open Document Inspector

Open the downloaded file in the Word desktop application. Navigate to File > Info > Check for Issues, and select 'Inspect Document'.

Remove metadata

Run the inspector, then click 'Remove All' next to the 'Document Properties and Personal Information' category.

Save the sanitized file

Save the changes to your document locally.

Remove Personal Information Using Document Inspector

Alternative Delivery: To maintain complete anonymity after sanitizing the document, send the file as an email attachment rather than sharing it via a OneDrive link.

Solution 2

Send Files via Email Attachments

Bypass OneDrive's sharing interface entirely by sending files directly through email to avoid exposing the 'Modified by' column.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Manage Documents Securely with WPS Office

If you are looking for a reliable, offline-first alternative to Microsoft Office that gives you full control over your documents without cloud tracking, WPS Office is an excellent choice. It provides a lightweight, familiar interface to view, edit, and sanitize your documents for sharing.

1. Download and Install: Get the free WPS Office installer from the official website and install it on your computer.
2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open the document you wish to edit or prepare for sharing.
3. Edit and Save: Make your changes, manage your document properties, and save the file securely to your local drive.

Completely free and lightweight office suiteHigh compatibility with Microsoft Word (.docx), Excel, and PowerPoint formatsSeamless offline editing to prevent unwanted cloud metadata syncingFamiliar user interface makes migration effortless

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Frequently Asked Questions

Will OneDrive ever add a feature to hide the Modified by name?

Currently, Microsoft has not provided a built-in feature to hide this information for shared links. Users requiring anonymous sharing are encouraged to submit this request through the OneDrive Feedback Community.

Does removing metadata in Word also hide my name in OneDrive?

No. Using the Document Inspector removes internal metadata from the file itself (like the author property). However, OneDrive's web interface tracks and displays the account name of the user who uploaded or last modified the file in the cloud.

How can I share large files anonymously if email attachments are too small?

If email attachments are impractical due to size, consider using an anonymous file-transfer service or a dedicated third-party drop box specifically designed for double-blind peer reviews, ensuring the files are sanitized first.

Document & File Issues