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 This capability helps you avoid out of date copies and maintain access control.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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R commented · April 16, 2019 15:02 · Flag as inappropriate

This is not available for "Anyone" option, as you stated... where and how can we see and use this?

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Jakub commented · April 10, 2019 04:38 · Flag as inappropriate

Anything new about this? OneDrive is really waste of money...

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Anonymous commented · April 08, 2019 20:39 · Flag as inappropriate

block download option is not available in my office 365. am i missing something? set password and expiration date options are available

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Amala commented · April 06, 2019 08:11 · Flag as inappropriate

OneDrive is great, but I cannot use it show design layout PDFs to clients because "DOWNLOAD" cannot be turned off. A pity to have to back to Google Drive.

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Marie commented · April 05, 2019 08:21 · Flag as inappropriate

Awesome, please let us know when the feature is implemented

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Charlie commented · April 03, 2019 09:57 · Flag as inappropriate

Great feature but in testing I have found that this can only be done at file level. Would be nice to be able to achieve the same at folder level which would then prevent download of all Office documents within.

It would also be very good if this wasn't just applicable to Office documents but all file extensions as well.

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Pankaj Sharma commented · March 31, 2019 23:50 · Flag as inappropriate

Idea was simple and perfect: Edit and Save, but, no download.

Scenario: We would like to share an excel spreadsheet with customer, which customer will fill and save. But they should not be able to download that sheet.

So, can we do that?

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stuartb commented · March 28, 2019 10:20 · Flag as inappropriate

Where is the Link Settings/ View-Only feature implemented? - I can't find it so far in Powerpoint 365 or Onedrive. Just see settings for allowing or disallowing editing (which is meaningless since the file can be downloaded and edited) and expiry. Can use modification password to prevent editing, but download still available.

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Cindy L. Breitman commented · March 19, 2019 20:18 · Flag as inappropriate

We need this to prevent others from downloading a video we want to share. What are the options there? We just upgraded our account specifically to set an expiration date and password but what is the point if people can download it and then share it with others?

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DS commented · March 19, 2019 13:36 · Flag as inappropriate

Will/Is this option available in Teams?

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Acrol commented · March 19, 2019 13:20 · Flag as inappropriate

We'd also like the feature where a user an edit a Word or Excel document, but cannot *download* the file to their device.

Like Anonymous commented on March 3, 2019 8:12 AM:

"This is pain for as well. We have very sophisticated EXCEL files, and we don't want users to download and keep a copy."

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Daryl Blowes commented · March 14, 2019 12:40 · Flag as inappropriate

It says you deployed for Public links, but Downloading still seems to be enabled for Videos ... is this going to be released for Videos?

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Quan Nguyen commented · March 07, 2019 18:00 · Flag as inappropriate

It seems like we can block people from downloading the files on a PC web browser only. The Onedrive apps on Android and iOS and mobile web browsers haven't supported the feature yet. Can you guys work on that too?

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Anonymous commented · March 03, 2019 11:41 · Flag as inappropriate

I just noticed how you can block from Download when READING EXCEL. But we really need is to disable it when EDITING as well.

https://www.screencast.com/t/3pAcnYbb9Rek

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Anonymous commented · March 03, 2019 08:12 · Flag as inappropriate

This is pain for as well. We have very sophisticated EXCEL files, and we don't want users to download and keep a copy.

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Rob commented · March 02, 2019 16:21 · Flag as inappropriate

This Feature will be amazing!! it must come soon. Google Drive has already got the ability ;p

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Philipp commented · March 02, 2019 09:13 · Flag as inappropriate

Please hurry, this feature is really missing!

Thanks! :)

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Anonymous commented · February 25, 2019 15:58 · Flag as inappropriate

What about blocking Non-Office files such as .jpg or PDF's?

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Steve commented · February 25, 2019 06:35 · Flag as inappropriate

Still can’t see any of these options in OneDrive but, as with others who have posted here, this feature needs to be implemented with PDF and media files, not simply restricted to Microsoft’s proprietary formats if OneDrive is to be more widely adopted.
PS Leaving messages on this forum via a smart phone is very difficult as scrawling through your message is nigh-on impossible!

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Anonymous commented · February 25, 2019 06:04 · Flag as inappropriate

Need to allow editing and the same time block downloading

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