File Sharing Problems

How to Restrict Anonymous Sharing Links in OneDrive and SharePoint

WPS Editor Oct 12, 2026 869 views

Question details

An organization is receiving security alerts because employees are creating anonymous access links when attaching files from mapped OneDrive folders.

Managing Anonymous Sharing Links in OneDrive and SharePoint

Product: Microsoft OneDrive and SharePoint
Device & OS: Windows 11
Scenario: Employees are sharing organizational files externally, generating anonymous links that trigger security warnings.
Observed behavior: When users select the 'Anyone with the link' option, it successfully generates a public link that can be accessed without signing in, potentially exposing sensitive organizational data.

Before you start

Verify that you have Microsoft 365 Global Administrator or SharePoint Administrator privileges to modify organizational external sharing policies.

Solution 1

How Employees Create Anonymous Links

Understand the process users follow to generate anonymous links so you can properly identify the source of the security alerts.

By default, if an organization permits it, users can easily create links that do not require the recipient to sign in.

Access the Share Menu

Right-click the target file within the mapped OneDrive or SharePoint folder in Windows 11 and select 'Share'.

Modify Link Settings

Click on the current link permissions and choose 'Anyone with the link' from the sharing options.

Generate the Link

Apply the settings and copy the link to share it. Anyone holding this link can now access the document without authentication.

Solution 2Recommended

Restrict Anonymous Links via Microsoft 365 Admin Center

Administrators should adjust the tenant-level external sharing policies to prevent users from creating anonymous access links.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the 'Anyone with the link' option grayed out in my OneDrive?

This option is grayed out or missing because your organization's IT administrator has disabled anonymous external sharing for security reasons.

Can I set an expiration date for an anonymous sharing link?

Yes, if your organization allows anonymous sharing, you can set an expiration date and a password in the 'Link settings' menu before finalizing the link.

What happens to existing anonymous links if the administrator disables external sharing?

If an administrator changes the policy to restrict external sharing, all previously generated 'Anyone' links will immediately become invalid and users will lose access.

Document & File Issues