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!
336 comments
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Errol commented
I would like this feature to be implemented as well. I am slowly moving from Gsuite to Microsoft 365 but this one limitation is holding me up.
Please let this be a feature soon.
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Anonymous commented
How is this still not a feature? Absolute disgrace.
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Anonymous commented
I want my contacts to be able to fill in an Excel-sheet, without beeng able to steel the Whole workbook.
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Anonymous commented
Any update on this?
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Firdaush commented
Not sure what there is to think about? Maybe just a new subscription add-on? Price? Less load on the severs should cost money.....
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Pete commented
got to have it - this is basic 101 file sharing capabilities.
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Zach commented
Yes, this would be an extremely useful feature for our business
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Bryan commented
When we will get this disable function? It has been discussed for 3 years long.
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Anonymous commented
Please Ryan, the feature to let someone view a file without being able to edit or download said file is as plain as the nose on your face. To make things even more confusing, if you choose “view only” you’re allowing the recipient the power to edit, share & download. This flies in the face of basic logic. “View only” should mean exactly that! Were the programmers all hung over that day
Google has no problem with this feature, what’s your excuse.
WE THE PEOPLE, YOUR CUSTOMERS WANT...
VIEW ONLY. recipient cannot edit or download. This applies to folders or individual files.
SHARE. recipient can can view & edit.
SHARE ALL recipient can view, edit & download.I guess I should have been a programmer.
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HateApple commented
Simple answer is don't use Microsoft , There are many cheaper options. Do your homework.
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Shawn Chong commented
******** microsoft answer "We’re still interested in this feature."
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Shawn Chong commented
microsoft never does the features that are necessary, but want to charge ppl for it. I love microsoft, but I hate it because their corporate structure is so BS. I've been to seattle so many times, met engineers and managers, all dumb because of the corporate structure and upper lvl mgmt. This feature would have defeated google docs. What the **** are they thinking.
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TC commented
I'm in agreement. This is a major security flaw in the service
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Tejas Parmar commented
Microsoft is always late in feature introduction!
I am still waiting for Offline Sync / LAN Sync since last 3 years.
Now this view only may take up to decade ... lol
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Anonymous commented
This option would also be useful in Sharepoint as well, a "DOWNLOAD" permission which can be unticked to stop users downloading files would be great.
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Joe King commented
Google Drive has had this feature for years. The document owner (and managers) can grant access to a document or folder to a specific set of users but prevent those users from downloading or printing. This can be done on a user-by-user basis (e.g. one could give both Sharon and Rob view access to a document but allow only Sharon to download it to her device or print it.) If Sharon or Rob forward the link to the document to Mark, who wasn't granted permission by the document owner or managers, Mark would need the sender's (Sharon's or Rob's) Google password in order to open the file - something that Sharon or Rob are probably not going to do since it would give Mark full access to their email and all of their other documents. Possible, yes, but not likely.
Until OneDrive has this feature it's unusable to me. I'll just continue to use Google Drive.
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Anonymous commented
Wow this isn't a thing. Come on now!
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Anonymous commented
More than 3 years later, still the same status.
@Microsoft, time to listen what we customer wants maybe? -
Victor commented
If there would be such an area that you can protect it would be great if you could control access to this shared area with accounts/teams from Keybase.io.
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Rob Bowman commented
So correct me if I am wrong, but there are options within Azure Active Directory to add information protection options with labeling?