Prevent shared files from being downloaded
I think it would be great if there was some setting to turn download's of a shared file or folder ON\OFF... what I mean is suppose I want to share a File\Folder with someone, I would only want them to be able to view\edit it online and not be able to download it onto their computer.. to take this idea further, it could also be helpful if you could prevent copying content from shared files... the download permission could probably be visible once a user decides to share a particular file with someone
elwin
shared this idea
Earlier this year, across the various options of sharing links, we introduced the capability of “block download” enabling you to keep your content in the cloud by not allowing users to download Office files. This capability helps you avoid out of date copies and maintain access control. Today, we are glad to announce that shortly, you will be able to apply the same functionality to images, 3D, PDF files and more.
287 comments
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Leo
commented
Does privacy mean anything in MS?????? Just another proof that it doesn't!!!!!!
I want t share files on OneDrive, but I don't want the persons I send the link to, to be able to download them.
Giving the mental capability of MS, I'm quite sure that is just a VERY tough ask!!!!!!
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Jaden Scaife
commented
So here is my addition to this thread which is a total annoyance and truthfully? Is going to end my support and subscription to Microsoft office.
I am a personal creative writer. The Onedrive 1TB is nice for the personal office 365 plan costing me $79.99 CAD / yearly. A bit pricey I thought but it at the time was needed.
Now however as I want to share my work to some friends for feedback and review; I want to keep my data mine and personal. So it can't be downloaded or copied and shared/edited and distributed without permission. What if I had sensitive revisions or data that I wanted only viewed and selectively shared but to hinder temptations to desire it to remain on the cloud?
Apparently this is NOT an option for us "Personal"/Non-business users and I am sickeningly dissapointed espcially after discovering with Google Drive and Google Documents the privacy for documents can be set by any FREE USER not even subscribed to "G suite" to PREVENT DOWNLOAD, PRINT AND SAVING.
WHY the **** for a PREMIUM SERVICE BEING PAID FOR BY AN INDIVIDUAL can we not have similar protection for our files regardless of what they are!
Imagine a musician working on a new audio piece and wants some feedback with a temporary link that will expire and let their viewers LISTEN but NOT download/save/copy, etc? Is it possible? NO! Oh wait, they need to UPGRADE to BUSINESS just to get THAT ONE **** FEATURE and it's likely to my guess not even as secure?!
Google has won over this feature of security for microsoft. It's sad that in this regard, Microsoft is not thinking about the little guys or freelancers or individuals who DESERVE the same security to their IP just as any business should.
This needs to change. I am not going to upgrade to the "Business" for ONE feature that while it's critical for me, it's $11 CAD / user per month on an annual commitment OR $13.20 CAD / user per month on a Monthly commitment. NO. Some people are poor and not living wealthy lives to afford services like that.
Microsoft Home office 365 is an extra expense but value to allow FIVE people/family to have access but the same security or availability? No.
Why would I go from $79 annual to at the least 11 * 12 = $132 a year for ONE USER (ME) to have access to BLOCK and Prevent downloads?! God forbid if I wanted to collab and have a team under my expense.
If any readers out there who like me are wondering because you are a "Personal" user and non-business are looking for a solution? Google Drive and Docs.
The files provided show too from a non-business access to something that would be personal and has potential for leaking if a wrong person got ahold of a sharing link.
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Anonymous
commented
I now see this option but only for documents. For whatever reason, MP4 or video format files, do not have the option to restrict downloads. I tested a "view only" shared file with someone. They could still download. Is there a fix where the "block download" is available for any type of file sharing?
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Anonymous
commented
Not happened what the user wanted it to be. Wrong perception of Microsoft team. Wrong Boom, its done by them. Evaluate again. The real need is excel should be editable but not downloadable at all.
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Anonymous
commented
what about onedrive users (not Business)?
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Anonymous
commented
Editable and not downloadable is the true requeriment.
If it is only readonly, there is nothing to protect. Anyone can take screenshots, scan the values etc...
Editable excel files is another story. It can use protected formulas, and hidden fields and esoteric formats, in order to provide functionality while the user type data.
If the user can download the file it can easily break the protection and see formulas and other settings.
If no one can download the file, the protected cells and formulas could be keeped secured on the server side.
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Tim Blair
commented
Who and When will this BASIC need be completed?
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Greg
commented
"Block Download" capability is available for shared files today, as I can see.
How can I block download of shared folder and content of shared folder (files which are located/stored within shared folder)? -
Anonymous
commented
When you are selling the cloud storage subscription the restriction is a basic need and being in 2019 and if we still talking about these small things is not a good thing. I should have the ability to control the use to download the content I shared.
I read most of the comments including by Microsoft and they are talking about the business version, how about the home version of one drive when anyone has the subscription security to their content should be the same.
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Sean Kimbell
commented
I can see the ability to block downloads with documents but when I click on a video file that option disappears.
Sean -
Chris
commented
Unfortunately, the Business features make embedding documents on websites or blogs extremely unreliable, often asking for credentials, even when using a public link, so I'm damned if I do, damned if I don't.
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Anonymous
commented
The block download should be available for edit links as well.
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Placide
commented
Hi! how do I put the download restriction on the folder containing the shared files? thank you!
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Rahul Barua
commented
but it does not restrict video to get downloaded even option is not visisble. you have have this option already or this
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Elena
commented
What is the timeline to enable blocking of download for all types of files? This is much needed in the business
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Anonymous
commented
The sole reason I purchased this license was to allow remote employees to edit spreadsheets but not have the ability to download or print. I also thought there was an option to include a watermark. It appears that granting permission to edit also includes ability to download.
At this point, I am unable to use the product for its intended purpose. Can Excel's online document access restrictions be changed? It wold be good to disable the ability to copy text as well. -
Anonymous
commented
I am a photographer, and sometimes I want my clients to be able to view images but not download them. Would this business feature work with jpeg files and folders containing them??
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Adam Monnery
commented
It would be handy to enable this at shared folder level as well, that would streamline sharing multiple documents none of which you want downloaded.
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Christian Seres commented
Is it still possible to use an xml VBA based sheet in full working order opening it via one drive with EXCEL?
THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP -
JP
commented
What is the holdup on PDFs? We've been on O365 for a few months and it's been one of our biggest pain points.
