SharePoint Document Issues

Why a Shared SharePoint Subfolder Shows Its Parent Folder Path

Huda Qurayshi Sep 28, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users want to know why recipients of a shared subfolder can see the parent folder's name and path, and how to hide this information.

Why Does a Shared SharePoint Subfolder Show Its Parent Folder?

Product: SharePoint Online / OneDrive for Business
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Sharing a specific subfolder within a larger document library or OneDrive repository with external or internal recipients.
Observed behavior: Recipients can view the name and directory path of the parent folder in the navigation interface, even though they lack permissions to access the parent folder's contents.

Before you start

Verify that you have Site Owner or Full Control permissions for the SharePoint site, as you will need to create new document libraries to adjust folder visibility.

Solution 1Recommended

Restructure Content into a Separate Document Library

Since SharePoint does not offer a setting to hide the parent folder path, moving the subfolder to a dedicated document library ensures the structural privacy of your primary directories.

SharePoint Online and OneDrive for Business intentionally display the parent folder path to help users orient themselves within the shared environment. However, clicking the parent folder does not grant access to unshared files. If the parent folder name itself contains sensitive information, the only workaround is to remove the subfolder from that hierarchy.

Access Site Contents

Navigate to your SharePoint site and click 'Site contents' from the left-hand navigation pane.

Create a New Library

Click the '+ New' button at the top of the page and select 'Document library' from the dropdown menu to create a dedicated space.

Move the Folder

Return to your original library, select the subfolder you wish to share, click the 'Move to' option in the command bar, and select your newly created document library.

Share the New Location

Once moved, share the folder or the entire new library directly with the recipients. They will no longer see the previous sensitive parent folder path.

Restructure Content into a Separate Document Library

Data Security: Even when the parent folder path is visible in the original setup, recipients clicking on it will receive an 'Access Denied' error for any other files or folders they do not have explicit permissions to view.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hide the parent folder path in SharePoint using permissions?

No, SharePoint Online does not provide an out-of-the-box setting to hide the parent folder path when a subfolder is shared, regardless of how strictly you configure the permission levels.

Will recipients be able to open other files in the visible parent folder?

No. Although recipients can read the parent folder's name and path in the navigation, clicking on it will not grant them access to other folders or files unless you have explicitly shared those items with them.

Does OneDrive for Business behave the same way as SharePoint when sharing folders?

Yes, OneDrive for Business is built on the same backend architecture as SharePoint Online. Sharing a subfolder in OneDrive will also expose the parent folder's path to the recipient.

How can I request Microsoft to add a feature to hide the parent path?

You can submit feedback and feature requests directly to Microsoft by visiting the official Microsoft Feedback Portal online and suggesting privacy controls for shared folder paths.

Document & File Issues