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How to Disable the Download a Copy Button in Power Apps

Ayan Masood Sep 25, 2026 869 views

Question details

An organization needs to prevent employees from downloading a copy of a Power App while still allowing them to edit it, in order to protect company intellectual property.

Product: Microsoft Power Apps
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Configuring app governance and security permissions to restrict the download feature for internal co-editors.
Observed behavior: Employees currently have access to the 'Download a copy' button, creating potential risks for company intellectual property leakage.

Before you start

Verify your access level in the Power Platform environment; you will need Environment Admin or System Administrator privileges to manage governance policies and sharing settings.

Solution 1Recommended

Consult the Microsoft Power Apps Community for Governance Settings

Because fine-grained control over the native UI elements like the 'Download a copy' button can be restricted by Microsoft's design, reaching out to the Power Apps Community provides the most up-to-date governance scripts and workarounds.

In Microsoft Power Apps, users who are granted 'Co-owner' or edit access typically inherit the ability to export or download a copy of the app. Restricting this specific UI element while maintaining edit rights requires advanced governance strategies.

Visit the Power Apps Community

Open your web browser and navigate to the official Microsoft Power Apps Community forums.

Access the Governance and Security Section

Locate the specific discussion boards dedicated to Power Platform Governance, Security, and Administration.

Post Your Specific Scenario

Create a new topic detailing your requirement to keep edit access enabled while removing the 'Download a copy' button to protect company intellectual property.

Consult the Microsoft Power Apps Community for Governance Settings

Platform Limitations: Native Microsoft settings currently limit the ability to hide this button for users with edit permissions. Community experts often recommend specific Data Loss Prevention (DLP) policies or utilizing the Center of Excellence (CoE) toolkit to monitor unauthorized exports.

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Protect Your Company Intellectual Property with WPS Office

While Power Apps is used for application development, your organization likely relies on standard documents for daily intellectual property management. WPS Office is a free, lightweight, and highly secure alternative to Microsoft Office that offers seamless compatibility and built-in document protection to keep your company data safe.

1. Download and Install WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website, download the free version, and install it on your operating system.
2. Open Your Business Documents: Launch WPS Office and open your existing Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files with zero formatting loss.
3. Apply Document Protection: Navigate to the 'Review' or 'Security' tab to set passwords and restrict editing or downloading of your sensitive files.

Built-in document encryption and permission management to protect sensitive intellectual property.Fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats including .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx.Familiar, easy-to-use interface that ensures a seamless migration for your employees.Lightweight application that operates smoothly without heavy system requirements.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hide the 'Download a copy' button natively in Power Apps?

Currently, Microsoft does not provide a native toggle to hide the 'Download a copy' button specifically for users who have been granted Edit or Co-owner permissions.

Does changing sharing permissions prevent app downloads?

Yes. If you share the app with users granting only 'User' (Play) permissions instead of 'Co-owner' permissions, they will not be able to edit the app or download a copy of the source code.

How can I monitor if employees download a copy of the Power App?

You can utilize the Power Platform Center of Excellence (CoE) Starter Kit and Microsoft Purview audit logs to track developer actions, including app exports and downloads within your environment.

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