Share SharePoint Files/Folders from your Computer

Owned by Dan Jakubiak
Last updated: Aug 18, 2023
3 min read

UConn faculty, staff, and students can share files and folders from SharePoint with UConn and non-UConn recipients directly by entering their email addresses.

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.

Windows:

  1. Log in to your computer. From your desktop, open File Explorer by clicking the icon, using the keyboard shortcut (Windows Key + E), or searching for it in the Start menu.

  2. Click on OneDrive - University of Connecticut in the left-hand menu.

  3. Open the linked SharePoint folder. This folder will have a chain link icon to let you know it is a link to another space.

    1. If your SharePoint folder is not linked, follow this guide:

  4. Navigate to the file/folder that you would like to share.

  5. Right-click on the item and choose OneDrive then Share.

  6. These instructions continue below in the Sharing the item section. Please continue down the page below the macOS instructions.

macOS:

  1. Log in to your computer. Open Finder by clicking on the icon or by pressing Command + Spacebar on your keyboard and searching for Finder.

  2. Click on OneDrive - University of Connecticut in the left column.

  3. Find the folder/file that you would like to share and right-click on it.

  4. Choose the OneDrive Share option.

  5. Continue below.

Sharing the item:

  1. Click on the settings gear to change the visibility of the share.

    1. If available, Anyone will generate a link that anyone can use without signing in.

    2. Learn more here:

  2. Type in the email of the user(s) you want to share with.

  3. Click on the Pencil icon to alter their permissions on the file/folder.

    1. If you want them to only have view access (they cannot edit the file(s), choose Can view

    2. If you want them to be able to edit the file(s), choose Can edit

  4. Click Send

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