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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  ·   ·  Flag idea as inappropriate…  ·  Admin →
boom! it's done  ·  AdminRandy Wong (OneDrive Program Manager, Microsoft) responded  · 

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 This capability helps you avoid out of date copies and maintain access control.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

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  • Kyle commented  ·   ·  Flag as inappropriate

    YES! I love OneDrive, but this is a crucial feature that is much needed.

  • anonymous commented  ·   ·  Flag as inappropriate

    For our company this is a must requirement to not allow download for us to adopt OneDrive. I hope MSFT can implement this feature.

  • Martin Crownover commented  ·   ·  Flag as inappropriate

    I like the idea of this, but practically speaking, if the person can view the content they can download it/save it somehow. This would not be able to prevent people from taking content you've shared with them.

  • Jasmine commented  ·   ·  Flag as inappropriate

    Agreed! I found this by googling to see if this option was available. But apparently, it isn't.

  • Brandon commented  ·   ·  Flag as inappropriate

    This is a much needed feature that OneDrive needs to implement ASAP. Adding my support for this.

  • Nathan Roberts (SunkNath) commented  ·   ·  Flag as inappropriate

    Hey there,

    Great Idea. This gets my vote!

    I have seen threads coming through the Microsoft Community asking for this feature. Especially when you have your folders embedded in your blog, and you do not want people to just download them without your permission.

    I think if we did have this feature, I will be more relaxed when sharing folders and videos though OneDrive.

    Regards,

  • Karim Hassan commented  ·   ·  Flag as inappropriate

    Allow someone to view in a browser without downloading it is a very common need

    It is just stupid not to allow us to disable the download link
    Microsoft should allow users to disable download button

    Google Drive and Box have this function, why not MS OneDrive?
    I think its important that Microsoft add an option to disable the download function

  • Karim Hassan commented  ·   ·  Flag as inappropriate

    Allow someone to view in a browser without downloading it is a very common need

    It is just stupid not to allow us to disable the download link
    Microsoft should allow users to disable download button

    Google Drive and Box have this function, why not MS OneDrive?
    I think its important that Microsoft add an option to disable the download function

  • Anonymous commented  ·   ·  Flag as inappropriate

    We are using One Drive as a way to share sensitive documents that people only are allowed to VIEW and we don't want them printed or downloaded or saved as a new copy. It seems that if given "view only" rights that these features should be turned off as they go far beyond "view only".

  • Peter G commented  ·   ·  Flag as inappropriate

    Elwin, regardless of your intention, if you make a document available, it is available. If you do not want "the document" to be downloaded, make a copy of the document available instead, such as an image only PDF file. Even that will not stop somebody from typing it out again, just make the process more difficult.

  • Mary G commented  ·   ·  Flag as inappropriate

    Absolutely agree that the ability to restrict downloading by having "a view only" permission would be a highly valuable feature. I can think of many small businesses that would be thrilled to have that feature as well. For example, sensitive internal business files could be reviewed in a browser but the file couldn't be downloaded and sent on to unauthorized recipients.

  • Magali commented  ·   ·  Flag as inappropriate

    I totally agree. Also I noticed a person made a correction on a shared file and I could not see it in the original file. I came to know about it by a printed copy.

  • elwin commented  ·   ·  Flag as inappropriate

    in my opinion this is a huge oversight... every document that is shared is not meant to be downloaded.. sometimes its only meant to be verified by other people..

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