Can we create a remote event receiver to prevent users from deleting files but allow them to rename the files

john john 961

We created a custom permission level which mimic the built-in Contribute permission level but without the ability to delete items and versions, by unchecking those 2 checkboxes:-

User's image

Our intention was to prevent users from moving folders and deleting folders, but currently users cannot rename files also. So does anyone face this issue? and have any solution for it? not sure if remote event receivers might be an approach to invest in to solve this issue (prevent users from deleting files but allow them to rename the files)?

Ling Zhou_MSFT 17,150 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2023-08-22T05:26:32.4233333+00:00

Thank you for your question.

We are currently looking into this issue and will give you an update as soon as possible.

Thank you for your understanding and support.
john john 961 Reputation points

2023-08-22T07:54:59.97+00:00

@Ling Zhou_MSFT ok thanks

1 answer

Ling Zhou_MSFT 17,150 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2023-08-22T07:59:59.9433333+00:00

Hi @john john,

Thanks for your detailed case description. I completely understand the situation and your feelings.

But according to the official file, I feel regretful to inform you that users who don't have delete permissions also can't change the file name, as designed by SharePoint.

Reference: Contributor users are not able to rename items in SharePoint if the Delete permission level is removed from the Contributors group

Please accept my sincerely apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. Thank you for your kind understanding.

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john john 961 Reputation points

2023-08-22T14:29:05.0433333+00:00

@Ling Zhou_MSFT yes i know this is by design... so i am asking if we can benefit from remote event receiver to overcome this?

Ling Zhou_MSFT 17,150 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2023-08-23T01:13:25.9133333+00:00

Hi @john john,

Remote event receiver can't resolve this problem either. The root cause is that renaming a file triggers a determination of whether the file has been deleted or not, so you can't do it if you don't have deletion privileges, and using an event receiver will also judge that you have deleted it and prevent you from renaming it.

john john 961 Reputation points

2023-08-23T16:10:39.04+00:00

@Ling Zhou_MSFT Thanks for the reply... my idea is that I will grant users the ability/permission to delete, but inside the remote event receiver i will check if the operation is a delete or rename, where i will allow a rename but prevent a delete.. will this appraoch work?

Ling Zhou_MSFT 17,150 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2023-08-24T06:29:40.13+00:00

Hi @john john,

You can see all the events at this link. There are no events that listen to renamed events.

john john 961 Reputation points

2023-08-24T15:49:25.6666667+00:00

@Ling Zhou_MSFT But could i check inside the ItemDeleting if the before name does not equal after name, then this means it is a rename operation, so i will allow it. But if the before name equals after name, then this is a delete operation and i will prevent it ?

Ling Zhou_MSFT 17,150 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2023-09-01T08:53:57.65+00:00

Hi @

Apologize for the late reply.

The logic you describe seems to work, but using A is too complicated. Perhaps you could try using a retention policy, which works well to prevent users from deleting files but at the same time allows them to rename them.

Please refer to the detailed steps in this article to set up a retention policy:

How to set a Retention Policy on a SharePoint site

Note: Microsoft is providing this information as a convenience to you. The sites are not controlled by Microsoft. Microsoft cannot make any representations regarding the quality, safety, or suitability of any software or information found there. Please make sure that you completely understand the risk before retrieving any suggestions from the above link.
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Can we create a remote event receiver to prevent users from deleting files but allow them to rename the files

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