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Emily Mason's avatar
Emily Mason
Copper Contributor
Jan 02, 2019

Files shared with Anyone sometimes prompt users to request acccess to the file

My company is experiencing an intermittent problem where sometimes a OneDrive for Business file shared with the setting "Anyone with this link can edit" prompts the user the file is being shared with...
office 365
OneDrive for Business
ChrisWebbTech's avatar
ChrisWebbTech
MVP
Jan 03, 2019
So the times I used to see this was because users would get a link. Then end up copying the URL instead. Or they would access a file then copy the URL and send it on to someone else which isn’t the same as a share link and would lead to request access.

Also would have people already be logged into a different Microsoft account in browser cache before clicking the link but your using anon links so that shouldn’t be the issue.
Emily Mason's avatar
Emily Mason
Copper Contributor
Jan 03, 2019

Thanks for these ideas, Chris. I don't think this is happening because of copying the URL since the link always works when the user tries it a second time. Users have experienced the issue when they use the attach file option in Outlook to share a copy of a file from OneDrive, and by using the share feature in OneDrive.

  • ChrisWebbTech's avatar
    ChrisWebbTech
    MVP
    Jan 03, 2019
    Are the share links only to direct files or to folders usually, do you know by chance? Usually the only reason you would get request access is because you are authenticated and something on the screen is rendering that it isn't liking. There used to be a bug on Guest Teams sharepoint sites where you would get Access request after the screen loaded because it was trying to render photos that the guest account couldn't read from somewhere else in the tenant.

    But because it's random it makes it rather odd. Usually first time is because your not authenticated and SSO kicks in then try again and it works. Hence why there might be something odd requiring authentication of the page to happen.

    I guess one thing to check, when it works check the name in the top right, is it anonymous when it does, and the users name when it gives access requests? Or vice versa? might be something to keep an eye out for to give some clues.
    • Emily Mason's avatar
      Emily Mason
      Copper Contributor
      Jan 03, 2019

      Thanks Chris. I believe this has always been happening with links to files. That's a good thought that it is has something to do with authentication. I'll try to keep an eye out for what name is listed when I catch it happening again.

      • StephenRice's avatar
        StephenRice
        Icon for Microsoft rankMicrosoft
        Jan 07, 2019

        Hi Emily Mason,

         

        This does sound like an authentication issue as Chris described. If by chance you can get a fiddler trace of the access prompt, do let me know so we can take a look. Also see if this ever repros in an incognito browser as that should work no matter what. Thanks!

         

        Stephen Rice

        OneDrive Program Manager II

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