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

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elwin shared this idea · February 17, 2015 · Flag idea as inappropriate… · Admin →

working on it ·

AdminStephen Rice (Product Manager, Microsoft) responded · June 08, 2020

We’ve rolled out an update which includes support for PDF files, images, audio and other file formats. This update doesn’t yet include support for video files but we’re working on it and will have more to share soon!

Show previous admin responses (7)

working on it ·

AdminStephen Rice (Product Manager, Microsoft) responded · April 09, 2020

We are working on releasing the ability to Block Download for other file types now! You can currently block download for office file types!

boom! it's done ·

AdminRandy Wong (OneDrive Program Manager, Microsoft) responded · November 11, 2019

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 This capability helps you avoid out of date copies and maintain access control.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.

https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/Microsoft-OneDrive-Blog/Celebrating-top-OneDrive-moments-at-Ignite-2019/ba-p/963182

working on it ·

Eugene Lin responded · February 04, 2019

OneDrive for Business users are now able to share a link to Office documents that blocks recipients from downloading copies but still allows them to view the document in Office Online.

Users can create links that block download by using the common Sharing experience that exists across Office 365. By going into Link Settings they’ll be able to toggle the “block download” option for view-only links.

We’ve completed rollout for “anyone” and “people in my organization” links, and are working on enabling it for the remaining link types. “Specific people” links are enabled on web endpoints and we’re working on native clients.

We are working on bringing this same capability to other file types.

working on it ·

Eugene Lin responded · November 27, 2018

Users will be able to share a link to Office documents that blocks recipients from downloading copies but still allows them to view the document in Office Online.

We’ll be gradually rolling this out to customers in late November, and the roll out will be completed worldwide by the end of January.

working on it ·

Eugene Lin responded · July 09, 2018

At SharePoint Conference North America this past May, we demonstrated the ability to create and send sharing links that blocks recipients from downloading the file. In this first iteration, this feature will be supported for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents.

We will be shipping this to OneDrive for Business and SharePoint users later this year.

thinking about it ·

AdminRyan Hoge (Group Program Manager, Microsoft) responded · January 04, 2018

We’re still interested in this feature. No other updates to share right now.

thinking about it ·

Douglas Pearce responded · July 15, 2015

Thanks for the suggestion!

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xpress commented · July 15, 2016 12:36 · Flag as inappropriate

@DouglasPearce are you guys going to implement this, is their anyone we can contact to help us with this problem?

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Ana commented · July 13, 2016 13:25 · Flag as inappropriate

Yes! It's absurd that this feature is not already in the software. A total disregard for Microsoft Customers' intellectual property. Can you say hippocracy boys & girls?

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Ana commented · July 13, 2016 13:21 · Flag as inappropriate

Agreed. It's totally unbelievable that they don't have this feature. Who wants just anyone to be able to download a powerpoint that we share? What about protecting intellectual property?

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Traci commented · July 12, 2016 14:36 · Flag as inappropriate

I was just looking to see how to prevent people I've shared a file from downloading it. I'm not the only one. Please please create this setting!

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Anonymous commented · July 01, 2016 19:35 · Flag as inappropriate

this feature is a very useful for education purpose...student will able to upload/submit files, then they are not allowed to download or access(view/edit/etc.) from the other file submitted...only the teacher can access all the files being uploaded on a specific folder...thanks.

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miles commented · June 28, 2016 23:55 · Flag as inappropriate

As others have said I would very much like to have the feature to allow people to edit and save the document in position but not to download or do save as to save it off to a new location. Also if I want someone to only be able to view the file (i.e. make no changes and not to save it) that should also be available

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Bill commented · June 24, 2016 14:37 · Flag as inappropriate

Fundamental. Please add it ASAP!

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Oz du Soleil commented · June 19, 2016 03:04 · Flag as inappropriate

I just embedded a video and when people click on it, they aren't still on the web page, they're brought over to my OneDrive and the video has a download link. C'mon!

Yes, if I load the video to YouTube the video can still be downloaded. Fine. But the viewer would have to go to YouTube themselves and make extra effort to download with a 3rd-party app.

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Hussam Fawzy commented · June 19, 2016 01:40 · Flag as inappropriate

Yes, this is a very important one

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Anonymous commented · June 16, 2016 23:41 · Flag as inappropriate

must have feature, should have been there by default

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Anonymous commented · June 09, 2016 01:55 · Flag as inappropriate

A must-have feature.

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Andrea Albero commented · May 29, 2016 09:45 · Flag as inappropriate

I think it's something of fundamental, a basic feature for every service like this. I don't think it's so hard to forbid download, or to remove a Download button from the big Excel (or Office) Viewer. Why don't you do that? It's a 5 minute feature that would be really appreciated from everyone! EVERYONE!

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Anonymous commented · May 27, 2016 11:09 · Flag as inappropriate

Anyone know of cloud providers who currently have this feature? It's now a MUST for me. Ideal solution: shared Excel docs where the participants can view, edit unlocked cells (the variables/inputs) and see the results. Cannot view the locked cells and most certainly cannot download the workbook (which is a proprietary model). My alternative is going to a web-based/MySQL framework, which is going to be expensive to implement and a PITA to make adjustments to the model.

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Anonymous commented · May 27, 2016 00:54 · Flag as inappropriate

still waiting for this feature..

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Anonymous commented · May 19, 2016 10:06 · Flag as inappropriate

disappointed this Albatross has been out there so long...is it on the whiteboard yet?

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DonnaA commented · May 16, 2016 08:36 · Flag as inappropriate

It has been over a year since this suggestion was made by elwin. Is this close to being implemented? This feature is needed.

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Anonymous commented · May 04, 2016 05:19 · Flag as inappropriate

It's a must-to-have feature. Or all my files are published. Please add this feature.

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Michele commented · May 02, 2016 15:43 · Flag as inappropriate

Absolutely needed! Astonished this feature is currently missing :O

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PEpelu commented · April 27, 2016 02:47 · Flag as inappropriate

Long time waiting for this feature...using google drive cuze of this...

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Anonymous commented · April 26, 2016 08:06 · Flag as inappropriate

google drive has already has this function and work perfect, you can simply turn down the download permission and there is no way to download the file at all

so why microsoft didn't do it!!!!!

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