OneDrive Message Center Update November 1st to November 31st

[Stephen Rice]

This month, we’ll be rolling out Block Download for Anyone and Organization sharing links as well as updating the MyAnalytics feature on OneDrive mobile. We’re also announcing that Camera Upload for OneDrive on Android is coming out of beta for all users!

As always, feel free to leave your feedback, comments or questions below.

Block Download for Anyone & Organization Links

Rolling out in late November

We are rolling out the Block Download feature for sharing links. With this feature, users will now be able to share a link to Office documents that can block recipients from the file, making copies of the file, copying text into other applications or printing. Even with these settings enabled, the user is still able 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. This feature will begin rolling out in late November.

    Block Download for sharing links

Updates to MyAnalytics on OneDrive for iOS & Android

Rolling out in late November

We are updating the MyAnalytics feature in the OneDrive for iOS & Android apps.

This feature now adds new entry points to the view count and context menus for individual files to make it easier to see everything that’s happening around your files. We are improving the service itself so that view counts are more accurate and will match the analytics that are available on OneDrive web. We are also removing the “File trending” signal in this release. You should start seeing these changes in your app in late November.

MyAnalytics Update for OneDrive mobile

Camera Upload on Android is now available!

Available Now

The Camera Upload feature for OneDrive on Android is now available for all customers! Once enabled, this feature will allow users to automatically upload all photos in the device Camera Roll to a selected OneDrive for Business account*. To enable this feature, go to the “Me” view from within your OneDrive for Business account and tap “Photos”. You will see a prompt like the one below, tap “Turn On” and read the ensuing prompts carefully. This will begin rolling out to customers later this month.

*Please note that OneDrive only supports one account (business or consumer) to be used at a time for the Camera Upload feature.

Camera Upload on Android

[Stephen Rice]

Hi @arturod,

Not via our link settings, no. You can check out some of the Conditional Access features in SPO which have some similar functionality. Thanks!

Stephen Rice

OneDrive Program Manager II

[Berkowitz_Admin]

@Stephen Rice

Are there any updates on the following?

Block Downloads option for Specific People

Block Downloads option with Edit Access

Block Downloads option for non-Office files

Expiration on link types other than just Anyone

Any updated information you could provide would be helpful.

Thanks,

Rex

[Stephen Rice]

Hi @Berkowitz_Admin,

Block download option for specific people links: This should be available today for Office fielse.

Block downloads option with edit access: This is not available as a link option but I would definitely check out some of the conditional access policies here to see if they may help.

Block Download option for non-Office files: Stay tuned :) We're working on this and should have more to share very soon!

Expiration on link types other than Anyone: We are working on an expiring external access feature which scratches many of the same itches as what you are describing (plus a few others). Check out our SharePoint Conference talk from earlier this year for a peek & a demo. 

Hope that helps!

Stephen Rice

Senior Program Manager, OneDrive

[Berkowitz_Admin]

Thanks for the reply @Stephen Rice 

Block download option for specific people links: This should be available today for Office files.  We are using the web interface for OneDrive right now and we do NOT see this option.  I do have Anyone links disabled.  Would that affect the Block Downloads option for specific people?  If not, any other reason why we aren't seeing this?

Block downloads option with edit access: This is not available as a link option but I would definitely check out some of the conditional access policies here to see if they may help.  Where would I find information on these conditional access policies?

Expiration on link types other than Anyone: We are working on an expiring external access feature which scratches many of the same itches as what you are describing (plus a few others). Check out our SharePoint Conference talk from earlier this year for a peek & a demo.  Where can I find your SharePoint Conference talk from earlier this year?

Also, are there any plans to update the email notifications.  Sometimes we get an email notification when a user downloads a shared file but not always.  It seems very inconsistent.  This was a consistent feature we had with our previous file sharing service (Accellion) and our users really miss it!

Most the questions or problems we run into using OneDrive are when using it as a file sharing service.  As Microsoft continues to improve their file sharing features I feel they will find many more customers will be more comfortable in migrating to their service.

Thanks again,

Rex

[therealcote]

I don't have the block download option. Only allow editing and set expiration date. I have version 2020 (build 19.232.1124.0010) and Windows 10 (1909). Can someone help?

thanks

Mathieu

[Stephen Rice]

Hi @therealcote,

Can you share a screenshot of what you are seeing? Note that block download is currently only available for Office file formats and expiration is only available for the Anyone link type. Thanks!

Stephen Rice

Senior Program Manager, OneDrive

[Chris030]

Hi @Stephen Rice and hi @therealcote,

I've got the same problem using the web app - I cannot see the option to block download, see here: 

I also tried different settings for language/country in my profile/account.

Can you help? 

EDIT: I guess the reason is that I use MS 365 Personal. So if I upgrade to OneDrive Business, is the blocking function available in Plan 1?

Thanks, Chris

[Stephen Rice]

Hi @Chris030 ,

Block Download is only available in our OneDrive for business product. I'm not super familiar with the licenses side of things but any license that gives you access to OneDrive will also give you Block Download. Thanks!

Stephen Rice

Senior Program Manager, OneDrive