Permission & Access Issues

How to Secure OneDrive Folders from Other Windows Users

WPS Editor Oct 8, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to prevent other local Windows users from viewing or accessing personal OneDrive folders stored on a shared computer or external drive.

How to Secure OneDrive Folders from Other Windows Users

Product: OneDrive
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Sharing a computer with multiple users while attempting to maintain isolated, private access to personal OneDrive files stored on a secondary drive.
Observed behavior: OneDrive folders located on shared or secondary drives are openly accessible to other users on the same computer due to broad default Windows folder permissions.

Before you start

Ensure you are logged into Windows with an Administrator account so you have the necessary privileges to modify folder security permissions and manage user accounts.

Solution 1Recommended

Modify Windows Folder Security Permissions

Restrict folder access exclusively to the system, administrators, and your specific Windows user profile.

When you move a OneDrive folder to a secondary drive, it often inherits the broad security permissions of that drive. Manually restricting these permissions ensures that only authorized accounts can open the folder.

Access Folder Properties

Open File Explorer, right-click on your designated OneDrive folder, and select 'Properties' from the context menu.

Open Advanced Security Settings

Navigate to the 'Security' tab and click on the 'Advanced' button near the bottom of the window.

Disable Inheritance

Click 'Disable inheritance' and choose the option to remove all inherited permissions from this object.

Add Specific Users

Click 'Add', then 'Select a principal'. Type 'SYSTEM', 'Administrators', and your specific Windows profile name or Microsoft email. Grant them 'Full control'.

Apply Changes

Check the box for 'Replace all child object permission entries with inheritable permission entries from this object', click 'Apply', and then 'OK'.

Modify Windows Folder Security Permissions

Permissions Updated: Your folder is now locked down. Standard Windows users will receive an 'Access Denied' error if they attempt to open it.

Solution 2

Set Up Separate Windows User Accounts

Isolate user environments so each person has their own private file directory and OneDrive instance.

Solution 3

Enable OneDrive Personal Vault

Secure highly sensitive files using built-in encryption and two-factor authentication.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing Windows folder permissions affect my ability to share OneDrive files online?

No. Changing your local Windows folder permissions only restricts file access for other people using the same physical computer. Your cloud-sharing links and external OneDrive permissions remain unchanged and will function normally.

Can other computer administrators still see my restricted files?

Yes. Any user who has Administrator privileges on the Windows PC can technically alter folder permissions to grant themselves access. To completely secure files from other administrators, use OneDrive Personal Vault or third-party cloud-encryption software.

Why did my OneDrive folder become visible to others when I moved it to the D: or F: drive?

When you move a folder to a secondary or external drive, it typically inherits the default security permissions of that specific drive, which often grants read access to all 'Authenticated Users'. You must manually restrict these permissions after moving the folder.

Document & File Issues