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How to View All SharePoint Folder Permissions Including Inherited Access
Question details
The user needs to view a complete list of permissions for a SharePoint subfolder, including users who have inherited access from a shared parent folder, for auditing purposes.
- Product
- SharePoint (Microsoft 365)
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Auditing folder access to ensure all users, including those with inherited permissions, are correctly listed in the access management interface.
- Observed behavior
- The 'Manage Access' pane on a subfolder only shows direct permissions and displays a warning about inherited users, hiding the complete list of people with access.
Ensure you have Site Owner or Full Control permissions for the SharePoint site to view and manage advanced folder permissions.
Inspect Manage Access and Advanced Permissions
Use this method to verify if inherited users appear correctly in the People tab or through advanced settings.
In a standard SharePoint setup, users who have access to a parent folder should ideally be displayed in the People tab when managing access for its subfolders.
Select the sub-folder in SharePoint and click the three dots (ellipsis) to open the context menu, then choose 'Manage Access'.
Navigate to the 'People' tab within the Manage Access pane to see if the inherited external and internal users are listed.
If users are not fully visible, scroll to the bottom of the Manage Access panel and click on 'Advanced settings'.
On the Advanced Permissions page, review the list to confirm if the folder inherits permissions from its parent and verify the user list.
Troubleshoot Hidden Users and Open a Support Ticket
If inherited permissions remain hidden behind a warning, it may be a backend display issue requiring Microsoft support.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does SharePoint say 'More people may have access' in the Manage Access pane?
This warning indicates that the folder is inheriting permissions from a shared parent folder or site, and the user interface is currently unable to list all inherited external or internal users directly in that specific sub-folder view.
How can I see exactly who has inherited access to a SharePoint folder?
You can click on 'Advanced settings' at the bottom of the Manage Access pane. This opens the classic permissions page where you can view all permission levels and verify if the folder inherits access from its parent.
Does clearing my browser cache fix hidden SharePoint permissions?
Sometimes browser caching can cause display issues in SharePoint menus. Testing the folder's Manage Access pane in an InPrivate or Incognito window can help verify if the missing inherited users issue is cache-related.
