File Sharing Problems

Manage OneDrive Sharing Link Expiration for Non-Microsoft 365 Subscribers

Bushra Parveen Oct 1, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to know if OneDrive sharing links expire automatically for accounts without an active Microsoft 365 subscription, and how to control file access.

Do OneDrive Sharing Links Expire for Non-Microsoft 365 Subscribers?

Product: Microsoft OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Sharing documents or folders via OneDrive "Anyone" links and wanting to ensure access is eventually revoked.
Observed behavior: The option to set an expiration date for shared links is unavailable, causing the link to remain permanently active unless manual action is taken.

Before you start

Ensure you are logged into your Microsoft account and navigate to the 'Shared' section in your OneDrive dashboard to see all files you are currently sharing.

Solution 1Recommended

Manually Revoke or Manage Sharing Access in OneDrive

Since automatic expiration dates require a Microsoft 365 subscription, non-subscribers must manually delete the sharing link to stop access.

By default, an 'Anyone' link in OneDrive remains active indefinitely if no expiration date is set. Since the expiration date feature is restricted to Microsoft 365 subscribers, free users need to manually revoke the link when they no longer want others to access the file.

Log into OneDrive

Open your web browser, navigate to the OneDrive website, and log in with your Microsoft account.

Locate the shared file

Click on 'Shared' in the left-hand navigation pane, then select the 'Shared by you' tab to view your shared files.

Open the Manage Access panel

Click the three-dot menu (More options) next to the file you wish to stop sharing, and select 'Manage Access'.

Remove the sharing link

Under the 'Links' section, find the active sharing link. Click the trash can icon or the 'X' button next to the link, then confirm the deletion to immediately revoke access for anyone using that URL.

Manually Revoke or Manage Sharing Access in OneDrive

Alternative Method: If the file is no longer needed at all, deleting the file itself from your OneDrive will automatically break any sharing links associated with it.

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3. Share with Expiration: Click the 'Share' button, select 'Create Link', and choose your preferred link validity period to ensure access expires automatically.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the expiration date option grayed out in my OneDrive?

Microsoft reserves the ability to set expiration dates and passwords on sharing links for users with an active Microsoft 365 premium subscription. Free users will see this option disabled or grayed out.

Will my OneDrive link expire if I haven't opened the file in a long time?

No. As long as your Microsoft account remains active and the file has not been deleted, the 'Anyone' sharing link will remain valid indefinitely unless manually removed.

Can I change permissions without breaking the original sharing link?

Yes. You can go to the 'Manage Access' menu for the file and modify the link settings (for example, changing from 'can edit' to 'can view') without having to generate a brand new link.

Document & File Issues