How to use the “Request Files” Feature in OneDrive for Business?
The Request Files feature in OneDrive for Business makes it easy to collect files from external users like vendors, clients, etc., securely without providing them any other extra permissions. They don’t need any credentials to access the link and upload files. You can let someone upload to your OneDrive by simply selecting an existing folder in your OneDrive where you want users to upload files and sending the link to users to whom you’d like to upload files.
If you don’t find the Request files option, you can check and enable the feature using PowerShell:
#Connect to Admin Center
Connect-SPOService -Url https://Crescent-admin.sharepoint.com
#Check if "Request Files" is Enabled for SharePoint
Get-SPOTenant | Select OneDriveRequestFilesLinkEnabled
#Enable Request Files Feature in SharePoint Tenant
Set-SPOTenant -OneDriveRequestFilesLinkEnabled $True
How to use the Request Files Feature in OneDrive?
Here is how to use the request files feature in OneDrive for Business:
- Log in to your OneDrive for Business site (URL shortcut: https://YourDomain-my.sharepoint.com/)
- Select any folder in your OneDrive (or create a new folder), and you’ll find the “Request files” button in the toolbar. Give it a click. (You can also find this option from the context menu of the folders.)
- Enter some descriptive text for the files you are requesting for. E.g. I’ve entered “Project Proposals” – so that it gives an idea to the uploader.
- Finally, you’ll get a link to share with the users. E.g., https://crescent-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/salaudeen_crescent_com/EArzcdpH4tJhrFmORMuUQBk7xZhCNaXhbyx-R_agwg. You can share this link with relevant users or directly send email from this page. Anyone with the link will be able to upload files anonymously through any device such as PC/Mobile/Tab, etc.
- When any user opens the link, they’ll get an interface to upload files. The recipient of the link can just upload – No edit/delete/they can’t even see any existing files in the folder.
When people upload files, their first name and last name are prompted, and it will be automatically added to the front of the filename. Say, For example, if a file titled “Proposal Documents” is uploaded by Jack Curie, it shows the file as Jack_Curie _Proposal_Documents in the OneDrive for Business folder, and You’ll get notified when someone uploads a file.
In case you want to remove the shared links: This feature uses “Link Sharing”, and you can remove any shared link by selecting the folder, choosing “Manage Access” in the context menu, and then removing the shared link. All links shared have 30 days expiration as configured in your link expiration settings. (We can’t extend it beyond the configured expiration days, but reduce it through the Link sharing panel.)
“Request Files” sems to only work on personal user account OneDrive folders. If the folder is in a OneDrive that is in a shared Group, then I do not see the “Request Files” option. Or at least if it is available for shared Groups, it is not turned on for my organization. Bummer.
Hello, I work for a construction company and we share parent folder to the subcontractors but the there are few sub-folders in the parent folder that should not be shared. Was able to manage it in Direct Access but while sharing the link the sub-contractors are able to find all the files in the parent folder. How to avoid a sub-folder from sharing via Link sharing?
Your instructions state to select any folder, however, we are experiencing a roadblock. The option to request files is not available on a file that has been shared with us. Do you know a way around that or can files only be requested from a folder created by you?