File Sharing Problems

How to Share Microsoft Stream Videos with Anyone Using a Public Link

Maira Mehtab Sep 20, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to share a meeting or screen-recording video via Microsoft Stream with external participants or people whose email addresses are unknown, using a public link instead of standard OneDrive sharing.

Product: Microsoft Stream
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Distributing a video to a broad audience where individual email addresses cannot be specified.
Observed behavior: Requires generating an 'Anyone' public access link directly within the Microsoft Stream environment.

Before you start

Ensure that your organization's Microsoft 365 tenant settings allow external sharing, as public links are disabled by default in many enterprise environments.

Solution 1Recommended

Generate an 'Anyone' Link in Microsoft Stream

Use the built-in sharing feature in Microsoft Stream (on SharePoint) to create a public link accessible to people without an organizational email address.

In the modern Microsoft Stream experience, videos are stored within SharePoint or OneDrive. This means they leverage the same robust sharing permissions available across Microsoft 365, allowing you to generate public links if permitted by your IT administrator.

Upload or Locate Your Video

Open Microsoft Stream and navigate to the video you want to share, or upload a new meeting recording.

Open the Share Menu

Click the 'Share' button located near the top right of the video details page.

Modify Sharing Permissions

In the sharing dialog box, click on the current sharing setting (which typically defaults to 'People in your organization with the link can view').

Select 'Anyone'

Choose the 'Anyone with the link' option from the list of available sharing scopes.

Apply and Copy

Click 'Apply' to save the permission changes, then click 'Copy link' to generate the public URL. You can now distribute this link to your audience.

Missing Option: If the 'Anyone with the link' option is greyed out or completely missing, your organization's IT tenant policies restrict external anonymous sharing. You will need to contact your IT administrator to adjust the SharePoint sharing policies.

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3. Share via Public Link: Click the 'Share' button in the top right corner of your document and select 'Create Link' to easily share files with anyone, just like you would with videos.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the 'Anyone with the link' option missing in Microsoft Stream?

This option is controlled by your organization's Microsoft 365 tenant settings. If your IT administrator has disabled external sharing or restricted anonymous public links for SharePoint and OneDrive, the option will not be visible to you.

Are Microsoft Stream videos stored in OneDrive?

Yes, in the current version of Microsoft Stream (Stream on SharePoint), uploaded video files are stored directly in your OneDrive for Business or a SharePoint site, rather than a separate Stream storage repository.

Can I set an expiration date for an 'Anyone' link in Stream?

Yes. When you select the 'Anyone with the link' option, you can click on the settings gear icon in the share dialog to set an expiration date or assign a password before generating the final link.

Document & File Issues