Files backed up to SharePoint can be accessed through the SharePoint website, sometimes called the “web client” or the “web portal”. UConn faculty, staff and students can share items (file and folder) to others directly by following this guide.
This method of sharing generates, and emails, a link to the item, it does not send the recipient(s) the file itself. Creating a link ensure the file remains encrypted; the recipient will need to sign into their Microsoft account in order to view/edit the item. When the user opens the file, you are both editing the same file while changes are saved to a single file on your SharePoint. If you are working on the file at the same time, you will see updates by each user as they are typed.
If instead you would like to generate a link that can be posted on a website, view the Generating a universal link to the item(s) section below.
Navigate to s.uconn.edu/sharepoint and sign in with your UConn email address and NetID password.
Click on your SharePoint site. Click on Documents in the left-hand menu.
Find the item (file or folder) that you would like to share.
Right click on the item(s) and click Share.
Type in the email of the user(s) you want to share with.
Click on the Pencil icon to alter their permissions on the file/folder.
If you want them to only have view access (they cannot edit the file(s), choose Can view
If you want them to be able to edit the file(s), choose Can edit
Click Send to share the items.
If you do not own this computer, be sure to log out when you are done!
Generating a universal link to the item(s)
Follow this section when you need to post a link to your items (ex. on a webpage), rather than sending them directly to recipients.
Find the items you would like to share by following the instructions above.
In the Copy link section of the popup window, click on the text below “Copy link” to open the sharing settings.
People in University of Connecticut with the link is similar to the previous option, however the recipients will need to sign into their UConn Microsoft365 account to access the file(s).
People with existing access can be thought of sending a reminder/notification to the recipients since they already have access.
Next, look at the Other settings portion:
Can edit allows those who click on the link the ability to edit the file(s)
Can view allows those who click on the link only view access; they cannot edit the file(s)
Then you will see Block download as a final option. When sharing files online, always remember that restricting downloads isn’t always a foolproof security tool.
For example, if you share a word document, even with view-only access, a user may simply highlight all of the text and copy-paste it into their own document. The user hasn’t downloaded a file from you, but they have obtained its information.
If you send the link to specific recipients, they cannot share the link without your permission. You will receive an email message with a request to share the file with others and have the option to accept or decline.