File Sharing Problems

How to Share OneDrive Links With Microsoft Family Members

Chanuka Geekiyanage Sep 27, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to share OneDrive files with Microsoft Family members but cannot find the 'People with existing access' sharing option.

How to Share OneDrive Links With Existing Microsoft Family Members

Product: Microsoft OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Sharing documents or photos within a Microsoft 365 Family subscription.
Observed behavior: The 'People with existing access' option is unavailable in the personal Microsoft 365 Family account, unlike in business accounts.

Before you start

Ensure you are logged into your personal Microsoft 365 Family account and have the correct email addresses of your family members ready.

Solution 1Recommended

Use the 'Specific People' Sharing Option

Since personal Microsoft accounts do not feature the 'existing access' button, manually specifying your family members is the most direct alternative.

Personal and Business OneDrive accounts offer different sharing controls. For Microsoft 365 Family accounts, you must explicitly invite users via their email addresses to grant access securely.

Select the file or folder

Open OneDrive in your web browser and locate the file or folder you want to share with your family.

Open sharing settings

Click the 'Share' icon located next to the file name or at the top of the page.

Choose 'Specific people'

In the link settings menu, select 'Specific people' to restrict access only to those you invite.

Send the invitation

Enter the email addresses associated with your family members' Microsoft accounts, add an optional message, and click 'Send'.

Use the 'Specific People' Sharing Option

Solution 2

Share Files Using an Outlook Family Group

You can utilize the built-in family group feature in Outlook to share a OneDrive link with all family members simultaneously.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office for Seamless Cloud Document Sharing

If navigating different sharing permissions across Microsoft accounts becomes frustrating, WPS Office offers a unified and straightforward alternative. It provides excellent compatibility with Microsoft Office formats in a free, lightweight suite, featuring built-in cloud sharing that works consistently for everyone.

1. Download and install: Visit the official WPS website to download and install the free WPS Office suite on your device.
2. Sign in for cloud features: Create a free account to access WPS Cloud, which simplifies saving and sharing your files.
3. Open and share instantly: Open your existing Microsoft Office files and use the 'Share' button in the top right corner to instantly generate a sharing link.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats.Built-in WPS Cloud allows for straightforward document sharing via customized links.Lightweight design ensures smooth performance on Windows, Mac, and mobile devices.Free to use with a familiar, easy-to-navigate user interface for seamless migration.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the 'People with existing access' option missing in my OneDrive?

This sharing option is primarily designed for OneDrive for Business and SharePoint environments. Personal Microsoft 365 Family accounts use different sharing controls, relying on the 'Specific people' or 'Anyone with the link' options instead.

Can I create a dedicated shared family folder in OneDrive?

Yes. You can create a new folder in your personal OneDrive, select 'Share', and use the 'Specific people' option to invite your family members. They can then access this folder from the 'Shared' section in their own OneDrive accounts.

Does sharing a OneDrive link consume my family members' storage quota?

No, files shared via a OneDrive link only count against the storage quota of the person who originally owns the file. The recipients can view and edit the files without using their own personal storage space.

Document & File Issues