How to set an expiration date on a OneDrive link

Sharing a document via a link is very convenient, but it can also become a security risk If access remains open when it is no longer needed, whoever keeps or receives that link could continue accessing the archive weeks or months after the project has ended.

OneDrive allows you to create Temporary links that stop working on a specific dateThis way you can send a folder, a report or any other file without having to remember to manually revoke access later.

The availability of this feature depends on the account type, shared item, and Microsoft 365 policiesTherefore, we will also see what to do when the expiration option does not appear and how the administrators of an organization can impose a maximum term.

What you need to create a temporary link in OneDrive

The option Set expiration date This feature is available to users with a compatible Microsoft 365 subscription. If you only use the free OneDrive account, this setting may not appear when creating the link.

You must also be the owner of the file or have sufficient permissions to manage how it is shared. If you are using a work or school account, the administrator may disable certain types of links or limit the maximum permitted duration.

There is also an important restriction for folders: Microsoft indicates that the expiration date can only be set when they are shared via a link of type AnyIn specific files, the available options may vary depending on the account and the policies applied by the organization.

How to set an expiration date on a OneDrive link

The clearest way to create the link is to use the web version of OneDrive:

1. Enter onedrive.com and sign in with your Microsoft account.
2. Select the file or folder you want to share.
3. Press the button Share.
4. Select Copy link and open its settings using the gear icon.
5. Choose who can use it. If you're sharing a folder, select Any in order to establish its expiration date.
6. Open More settings and activate Set expiration date.
7. Select the last day you want the link to continue working.
8. Configure whether recipients can edit the content or only view it.
9. Press Apply and then select Copy.

From that moment on, you can paste the link into an email, a message, or any other application. When the selected date arrives, The link will stop working. and recipients will no longer be able to use it to access the content.

Before sending it, check if the option is enabled. Allow editingWhen you share a folder with this permission, recipients can modify, move, rename, and even delete the items within it.

How to change the expiration date of an existing link

You don't need to create another link if you only want to advance or extend its expiration date. As long as the link remains available, you can edit its settings from the access panel.

1. Select the file or shared folder.
2. Tap the icon of Information to open the details panel.
3. Enter Manage access.
4. Look for the link within the corresponding section and open its options.
5. Select Edit link.
6. Change the date or deactivate Set expiration date if you want to remove the expiration date.

From this same panel you can also completely remove the linkThis action is safer than waiting for its expiration date when you suspect it has been forwarded to people who shouldn't have it.

If the link has already expired and you cannot reactivate it, you will have to create a new one and resend it to the recipients.

What type of link should you choose?

OneDrive offers several types of links, each designed to meet a different need:

• Any: It allows anyone who receives the link to access it, even if they don't log in. It's convenient, but it can also be forwarded without you controlling who ends up using it.
• People in your organization: It only works for users belonging to the same Microsoft 365 organization.
• People with existing access: It does not grant new permissions and serves to direct the content to someone who can already open it.
• Specific people: It limits access to the recipients you specify and prevents the link from working for other people if it is forwarded.

When the document contains sensitive information, it is preferable to use Specific people Whenever possible. A generic link with an expiration date reduces exposure time, but doesn't allow you to know for sure who has received it.

You can also strengthen protection through options such as Set password, Block download or limit permission to read-only. These features depend on the subscription plan, the file type, and the organization's rules.

How to force links to expire in a company

Administrators can prevent anonymous links from remaining active indefinitely. This policy is configured from the SharePoint Admin Centersince its controls also affect OneDrive:

1. Enter the SharePoint admin center.
2. Open Directives and select Shared.
3. Look for the advanced settings section for links of type Any.
4. Activate the option that forces these links to expire.
5. Enter the maximum number of days that will be able to remain active.
6. Save the settings.

This measure specifically affects "Any" type links. If your organization does not allow this type of external sharing, the corresponding expiration setting may not appear.

When the administrator extends the maximum term, the existing links They maintain their current expiration date.If you reduce the allowed period, links that exceed the new limit will be updated to comply with the more restrictive policy.

It is also possible to apply different configurations to specific SharePoint sites from Active sitesprovided that the organization's policies allow for an exception to the general configuration.

Link expiration and guest expiration are not the same thing

Microsoft 365 also allows you to set how long a user can access a service. guest user to a website or an organization's OneDrive. Although it may seem like the same mechanism, it works differently.

The expiration of a link applies to a specific link. When it expires, That link stops workingGuest expiration, on the other hand, is managed at the user level: when the deadline arrives, the guest loses their permissions on the site, but The shared link is neither deleted nor deactivated..

Collection administrators receive a weekly email when there are guests whose access will expire within the next two or three weeks. A notification also appears on the web version of the site. If the collaboration needs to continue, access can be renewed from:

Settings > Site Permissions > Guest Expiration > Manage.

By extending access, the new period applies to all permissions that guest has within the site, not just to the document you were reviewing.

Common mistakes when setting an expiration date for a OneDrive link

One of the most common problems is that The expiration date option does not appearThese are the most frequent causes:

• You do not have a compatible subscription: The feature is reserved for Microsoft 365 subscribers.
• You are sharing a folder with a different type of link: For folders, expiration is only available through Any.
• The "Anyone" option is disabled: The administrator may have blocked anonymous links.
• The date exceeds the maximum allowed: The organization's policies may impose a maximum number of days.
• You do not own the content: You may have permission to edit the file, but not to modify how it is shared.
• The link stopped working prematurely: The owner may have deleted it, stopped sharing the content, or moved the file or folder.
• The guest lost access, but the link still exists: Your guest user permission has probably expired, not the shared address.

Another common mistake is relying solely on the expiration date and leaving editing enabled unnecessarily. Always check before copying the link. who will be able to open it, what they will be able to do, and for how long.

Creating temporary links reduces accidental exposure of documents and prevents access from outlasting their original purpose. By combining a reasonable expiration date with read permissions, passwords, or specific recipients, you can Share files on OneDrive much more securely without giving up the convenience of the cloud.