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 →

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 This capability helps you avoid out of date copies and maintain access control.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

Show previous admin responses (5)

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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jofaith commented · April 12, 2015 19:16 · Flag as inappropriate

ok!

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jofaith commented · April 12, 2015 19:14 · Flag as inappropriate

yes!

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elwin commented · April 08, 2015 09:52 · Flag as inappropriate

kindly upvote the idea here.. lets not have 2 different threads for the same request as it reduces the overall vote count :)

http://onedrive.uservoice.com/forums/262982-onedrive/suggestions/7105024-prevent-shared-files-from-being-downloaded

OR

@admin kindly merge these 2 threads as they are the same

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Venkateswara Rao commented · April 05, 2015 01:30 · Flag as inappropriate

Yes. "Disable Download" is very much needed. MS should consider this and implement

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Brandon commented · April 02, 2015 12:36 · Flag as inappropriate

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

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Nathan Roberts (SunkNath) commented · April 01, 2015 01:23 · 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,

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Anonymous commented · March 31, 2015 16:48 · Flag as inappropriate

This must be a relatively easy fix MS, surely?

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Karim Hassan commented · March 27, 2015 18:13 · 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

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Karim Hassan commented · March 27, 2015 17:27 · 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

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Anonymous commented · March 19, 2015 08:21 · 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".

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Peter G commented · March 10, 2015 17:35 · 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.

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Mary G commented · March 07, 2015 22:34 · 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.

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Magali commented · March 05, 2015 13:51 · 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.

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elwin commented · February 17, 2015 22:55 · 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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