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 · Feb 17, 2015 · Flag idea as inappropriate… · Admin →

working on it ·

AdminStephen Rice (Product Manager, Microsoft) responded · Jun 8, 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 · Apr 9, 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 · Nov 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 This capability helps you avoid out of date copies and maintain access control.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 · Feb 4, 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 · Nov 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 · Jul 9, 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 · Jan 4, 2018

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

thinking about it ·

Douglas Pearce responded · Jul 15, 2015

Thanks for the suggestion!

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Anonymous commented · June 2, 2015 8:42 AM · Flag as inappropriate

agree

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Fahad King commented · May 28, 2015 7:08 AM · Flag as inappropriate

Yea, it's a good idea!

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Miroslav Ondříšek commented · May 26, 2015 1:46 AM · Flag as inappropriate

I second that!

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Anonymous commented · May 23, 2015 5:29 AM · Flag as inappropriate

my vote

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siraj uddin commented · May 17, 2015 8:56 PM · Flag as inappropriate

yes it's good for everyone because during downloading you can do father work so it's good

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_TheLion_ commented · May 12, 2015 1:49 AM · Flag as inappropriate

Totally agree with this suggestion. A view link should be read-only and all other cloud services (Google Drive, Box.com, etc..) are offering the option to disable download direct download on shared links. A quick search on this issue opens up hundreds of results with people asking for the same feature.

Please add this feature as it will just enhance the power of OneDrive.

And please someone (#Jason Moore, #Omar Shahine ?) combine this thread with the following thread as it has exactly the same purpose:

https://onedrive.uservoice.com/forums/262982-onedrive/suggestions/7354291-microsoft-should-allow-users-to-disable-download-b

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_TheLion_ commented · May 12, 2015 1:48 AM · Flag as inappropriate

Totally agree with this suggestion. A view link should be read-only and all other cloud services (Google Drive, Box.com, etc..) are offering the option to disable download direct download on shared links. A quick search on this issue opens up hundreds of results with people asking for the same feature.

Please add this feature as it will just enhance the power of OneDrive.

And please someone (#Jason Moore, #Omar Shahine ?) combine this thread with the following thread as it has exactly the same purpose:

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

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rob commented · April 27, 2015 8:07 PM · Flag as inappropriate

It is relatively easy for a user to take a screenshot etc. But the download feature makes it too easy. Because of the download feature I will have to use another service because my client wants it.

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Anonymous commented · April 27, 2015 6:58 AM · Flag as inappropriate

I agree wholeheartedly to every one. This is a Must have feature.
On my blog I would like users to be able view and embedded spreadsheet and browse through it. But I DO NOT want to alllow them to just click on the little icon in the bottom right, open it in Exel online themselves and just save (and steal) it to their computer.
I am about to abandon using Exel online on my site for this very reason. And it must be SUCH AN EASY FIX for Microsoft.
There is a need to allow users to VIEW data in an embedded spreadsheet on a site without the possibility to open the actual spreadsheet or download it.

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Kyle commented · April 22, 2015 10:10 AM · Flag as inappropriate

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

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anonymous commented · April 21, 2015 6:10 PM · 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.

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Martin Crownover commented · April 21, 2015 9:33 AM · 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.

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Jasmine commented · April 13, 2015 11:20 PM · Flag as inappropriate

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

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jofaith commented · April 12, 2015 7:16 PM · Flag as inappropriate

ok! tnx!

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jofaith commented · April 12, 2015 7:16 PM · Flag as inappropriate

ok!

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jofaith commented · April 12, 2015 7:14 PM · Flag as inappropriate

yes!

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elwin commented · April 8, 2015 9:52 AM · 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 5, 2015 1:30 AM · Flag as inappropriate

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

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Brandon commented · April 2, 2015 12:36 PM · 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 1, 2015 1:23 AM · 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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