File Sharing Problems

How to Safely Delete a Pending Microsoft 365 Sharing Invitation

Partner Editor Oct 1, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to remove a pending sharing invitation for an email address that already has an active sharing permission in Microsoft 365, without disrupting the active access.

How to Safely Delete a Pending Microsoft 365 Sharing Invitation

Product: Microsoft 365
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Managing duplicate file sharing entries where one is active and one is pending.
Observed behavior: Two sharing entries appear for the same user: one active (with a 'Stop sharing' option) and one pending (with 'Resend' or 'Delete' options). The user needs to safely delete the pending one.

Before you start

Ensure you have the correct file or folder selected in your Microsoft 365 or OneDrive account and verify which entry shows the active status before making any deletions.

Solution 1Recommended

Remove the Pending Invitation via Manage Access

Safely clear the duplicate pending invitation while keeping the active sharing link completely intact.

When duplicate sharing entries exist for a single user, it typically means an invitation was sent but the user accessed the file through a different direct link first. Deleting the pending invitation is a safe administrative cleanup step.

Open the Manage Access Panel

In Microsoft 365 or OneDrive, select the shared file or folder. Click the three-dot menu (...) next to it and select 'Manage Access' to view all sharing permissions.

Locate the Pending Entry

Scroll through the list of users with access. Identify the entry for the specific email address that displays a 'Pending' status (often indicated by a PI icon) alongside options to 'Resend' or 'Delete'.

Delete the Pending Invite

Click the 'Delete' button (or the 'X' icon) exclusively on the pending entry. This action safely clears the unsent or unaccepted invitation.

Remove the Pending Invitation via Manage Access

Safe Deletion: Removing the pending invitation does not revoke the permissions of the active sharing entry. The user will still be able to access the file normally.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I see both an active and pending sharing entry for the same user in Microsoft 365?

This usually happens if a formal email sharing invitation was sent to the user, but they accessed the file via a different direct link or team channel before officially accepting the emailed invitation. This creates an active session while the original invite remains pending.

Will deleting a pending invite notify the user?

No, deleting a pending invitation simply revokes the unused sharing link on the backend. It does not send a notification or email alert to the recipient.

What happens if I accidentally click 'Stop sharing' on the active entry instead?

Clicking 'Stop sharing' on the active entry will immediately revoke the user's current access to the file. If this happens by mistake, you will need to generate a new sharing link or resend an invitation to restore their access.

Document & File Issues