Shared link 'People you specify' stops working for external users

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Shared link 'People you specify' stops working for external users

Gordana 20

We have folders on SharePoint that we've shared with our clients (external users) with Edit permissions via 'People you specify' link so that they can upload documentation.

Everything works just fine, until they don't have access anymore. It happens after few days. Clients bookmark link that we send them and few days later - it doesn't work anymore.

What's more wierd - we send them same link again - and it works.

Our company doesn't require link expiration time.

Please help!

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Answer 1

Emily Du-MSFT 51,851 Microsoft External Staff

1.Go to the SharePoint admin center -> Policies -> Sharing -> Check the setting "Guest access to a site or OneDrive will expire automatically after this many days".

2.Go to the SharePoint admin center -> Sites -> Active sites -> Select the site -> Sharing -> Check the setting "Guest Access expires automatically after this many days".

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Gordana 20 Reputation points

2024-05-21T09:28:39.6533333+00:00

Thank you for your answer. Everything in Admin center looks good, we don't have link expiration set for guests access.

I assumed this was not the problem, because users have access in the morning, but after few hours, they don't have it anymore. Also, it does not happen for every user.

Is it true that this kind of links (People you specify) have some tokens that expire after some time and that is recommendended to use Grant access so they can have permanent access?
Emily Du-MSFT 51,851 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2024-05-21T10:12:10.52+00:00

Try to access folders through sharing link in the email invitation, not bookmark sharing link. Then check whether sharing link will invalid or not.

Yes, due to need authentication, this kind of links (People you specify) have some tokens. Grant access is a more stable method.
Gordana 20 Reputation points

2024-05-21T13:18:45.7833333+00:00

Thanks. It seems that I can't grant access to external users. Why is that?

Also, what is your recommendation on how to share folders with external users in a safe and simple way?
Emily Du-MSFT 51,851 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2024-05-22T10:31:08.6366667+00:00

Any error message when granting access to external users?

The recommended way is granting read access to external users then set authentication date.
Gordana 20 Reputation points

2024-05-22T13:54:40.39+00:00

I don't get errors. When I Grant access to certain mail adress, it looks fine - the mail is sent to user.

But, in Manage access it looks the same as if I shared link 'People you specify'. I removed access for that user, and Granted access again, but it looks the same (attached screenshot).

I've tried it with new folder - same situation.
Emily Du-MSFT 51,851 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2024-05-24T10:06:45.9366667+00:00

Go to Library settings -> Permissions for this document library > Grant permissions for external users.

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Shared link 'People you specify' stops working for external users

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