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

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!
342 comments
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Luis commented
This is super urgently needed, specially now with teleworking!!! Come on Microsoft! Please implement this now!!
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Anonymous commented
For your information:
I was able to download a .doc file as a picture, despite the 'disable download' setting and a password requirement.
After I had opened the file for the first time (and provided the password), if I closed the browser tab and re-clicked the link in the email, the browser would re-open the file in a new tab, and for a second or so, there is a time window before the 'you don't have permission to download this file' banner appears on the top of the screen.
Within this short time window, if I right click my mouse, I'm able to save the file as a picture.
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Captain_Eric commented
This is needed.
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Anonymous commented
hihi i still not seeing the block download option under my share file
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Anonymous commented
Can an audio file be blocked from recipients downloading in OneDrive?
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mrpt commented
Can we apply block download to entire Onedrive and Sharepoint in our domain?
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Peter N. commented
Our company is trying to migrate from Box over to OneDrive but this issue is a serious problem. Box provides a very nice set of sharing features currently unavailable in ODfB:
1. Embeddable folders using iFrame. Very useful for providing multiple documents on a website.
2. View only for any document, video, PPT, PDF, etc. And by "view only" I mean the viewer not only can't download, they can't even copy and paste from the document. It is completely locked down.
Currently, with ODfB you can share a view only version of say, an Excel spreadsheet but all someone has to do is highlight the doc, copy, then paste into their own new file. So what's the point of making the doc non-downloadable if you can simply copy and paste it?
3. It should be much more intuitive to share a locked down, view only version of a doc to an MS Team channel.
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Anonymous commented
How difficult can it be to make this change?
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Marc commented
Nice for Office files, but how do we do this for non-Office documents/folders?
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LC commented
Please update on progress! Teachers are working around the clock trying to move everything we do online in the middle of the COVID-19 crisis and this shouldn't be the most difficult part for us!
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Simão Teixeira commented
When will this be possible for other files such as videos and photos?
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morgane commented
Visibly this is still not possibly to block download when sharing a folder or even a document which is not an office file. when will this functionality be available ?
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Anonymous commented
"Today, we are glad to announce that shortly, you will be able to apply the same functionality to images, 3D, PDF files and more."
Can you define "shortly"? Is there ETA on extending this feature to all files?
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Anonymous commented
This idea says it is closed, however it hasn't been done for video files. Is it currently being worked on?
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Michael commented
Dear Admins,
Any idea when it will be available for PDFs?
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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)?