Attachment Issues

How to Stop Outlook from Attaching OneDrive Files as SharePoint Links

Amos Gikunda Oct 9, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to attach a physical file from a OneDrive-synced folder (like the Desktop) in Outlook without it being converted into a SharePoint or OneDrive cloud link.

How to Stop Outlook from Attaching OneDrive Files as SharePoint Links

Product: Microsoft Outlook
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attaching a file located on a OneDrive-synced Desktop to an Outlook email.
Observed behavior: Outlook automatically converts the attached file into an online SharePoint link instead of attaching the actual physical file.

Before you start

Note that Microsoft Outlook defaults to cloud attachments for any folder synced with OneDrive. You cannot permanently disable this default behavior, but you can use a specific attachment method to bypass it.

Solution 1Recommended

Attach the File Using the Browse This PC Option

Manually browsing your local PC forces Outlook to attach the physical file rather than generating a cloud sharing link.

When your Desktop is synced with OneDrive, dragging and dropping files or using the 'Recent Items' list will automatically create a SharePoint link. To attach the actual file, you must use the standard file explorer method.

Open a new email

Launch Microsoft Outlook and click on 'New Email' to compose a message, or reply to an existing email.

Click on Attach File

Navigate to the 'Message' or 'Insert' tab in the ribbon and click on the paperclip icon labeled 'Attach File'.

Select Browse This PC

Scroll past the recent items list in the dropdown menu and click on 'Browse This PC'.

Select your local file

Navigate to your Desktop or the desired synced folder, select the file you want to attach, and click 'Insert'. The file will now be attached as a physical copy.

Attach the File Using the Browse This PC Option

Drag-and-Drop Limitations: Unfortunately, Microsoft currently does not offer a master setting to disable cloud links when dragging and dropping files from a OneDrive-synced folder.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my email attachment show a cloud icon instead of a regular file?

If your file is stored in a folder synced with OneDrive (like your Desktop or Documents), Outlook assumes you want to share a OneDrive or SharePoint link to save space and collaborate online.

Can I turn off the default OneDrive sharing link behavior in Outlook?

Currently, Microsoft Outlook does not have a master setting to permanently disable this feature for OneDrive-synced folders. You must manually select 'Browse This PC' each time you want to attach a physical copy.

What happens if I send a SharePoint link instead of a local copy?

The recipient will receive a link to view or edit the file stored in your OneDrive/SharePoint cloud. They may need specific permissions or a Microsoft account to access it, whereas a local copy can be opened by anyone immediately.

Can I change a cloud attachment to a local copy after adding it to the email?

Yes, in many versions of Outlook, you can click the dropdown arrow on the cloud attachment icon and select 'Attach as copy' to convert the link into a standard local attachment before sending.

Outlook & Email Problems