Permission & Access Issues

How to Stop Sharing Multiple OneDrive Files and Folders at Once

Algirdas Jasaitis Oct 22, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to revoke access to multiple shared files and folders in OneDrive simultaneously but is encountering difficulties due to how permission inheritance works.

How to Stop Sharing Multiple OneDrive Files and Folders at Once

Product: Microsoft OneDrive and SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Managing and revoking sharing permissions for a large number of nested files and folders.
Observed behavior: OneDrive does not natively support bulk-unsharing of individual nested files in a single click; permissions are inherited from parent folders, making bulk removal a manual item-by-item process unless done at the root folder level.

Before you start

Before modifying permissions, ensure you know which users or groups require continued access to your parent folders, so you do not accidentally revoke access for active collaborators.

Solution 1Recommended

Stop Sharing at the Parent Folder Level

Since OneDrive files inherit permissions from their parent folders, stopping sharing on the main folder will instantly remove access to all nested files and subfolders.

In SharePoint Online and OneDrive, permissions are inherited from the site to the document library, and down to folders and files. Sharing a folder automatically shares its contents. The most efficient way to stop sharing multiple files at once is to revoke access at the highest folder level.

Select the Parent Folder

Open OneDrive or SharePoint, locate the top-level parent folder containing the files you want to unshare, and click the three-dot menu (More options) next to it.

Open Manage Access

Select 'Manage Access' from the dropdown menu to view all users and links that currently have permission to view or edit the folder.

Stop Sharing

Click 'Stop sharing' at the top of the Manage Access panel, or individually remove specific sharing links and direct access users by clicking the trash can or 'X' icon.

Immediate Effect: Stopping sharing at the parent level instantly invalidates sharing links for all nested contents, securing your files in one action.

Solution 2

Break Permission Inheritance for Specific Subfolders or Files

Use this method if you need to keep the parent folder shared but want to restrict access to specific nested files without unsharing everything.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I select multiple random files in OneDrive and stop sharing them all at once?

No, OneDrive currently lacks a feature to select multiple separate files and bulk-unshare them in a single click. You must either stop sharing the parent folder they reside in or manage access for each file individually.

Why do some files remain accessible even after I stop sharing the parent folder?

If you previously created a direct sharing link specifically for a nested file, that link may remain active even if the parent folder's permissions are changed. You must find that specific file and delete its direct sharing link.

Will people be notified when I stop sharing a file or folder with them?

No, OneDrive and SharePoint do not send email notifications when access is revoked. The user will simply see an 'Access Denied' or 'This link has been removed' message the next time they attempt to open it.

Document & File Issues