How do I stop other accounts from sharing files to me in OneDrive

Question

Hi,

Yesterday I got notification in OneDrive app that someone shared a file with me, which was a PDF file that felt like malware or a virus (I didn't open the file). I reported the file, the account got banned but today I started to get more file share spam from multiple accounts. I'm wondering if I can somehow disable receiving files from other people on OneDrive temporarily because this is really annoying.

Thanks in advance,

• Ville

Answer 1

Hi Ville,

Thanks for reaching out. I understand how frustrating it is to receive unwanted or suspicious file shares. You did the right thing by not opening the file and reporting it. While OneDrive doesn’t have a single option to block all incoming shares, there are steps you can take to reduce the impact.

First, you can turn off share notifications in OneDrive settings. This won’t stop people from sharing files, but it will prevent those alerts from popping up and distracting you.

Second, remove any unwanted shared files from your “Shared with me” section and use the “Report abuse” option when you do. This helps keep your view clean and signals Microsoft to take action against spammers.

Third, block the sender’s email address in Outlook or your Microsoft account. This will stop email notifications from those accounts and reduce spam exposure.

Last, if you’re using a work or school account, ask your admin to review external sharing settings in the Microsoft 365 Admin Center. They can restrict or disable external sharing entirely, which is the most effective solution in organizational environments.

I hope you find this information helpful. Please let me know if you have any further questions If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer".

Regards,

Carlo

Answer 2

This is an utter joke and Microsoft need to pull their finger out to sort it.

I am getting hundreds of spam shared documents that I dont want and have to go throughj one by one, and then many re-appear.

We need to be able to accpet or block shared files before they land in out accounts.

Terrible!

Answer 3

Not a solution. But how to give Feedback to Microsoft on this issue.

You can Vote for and leave Comments on these Feature/Feedback Request:
(You must "Sign In" at the top right of the Feedback page before you can vote).

https://feedbackportal.microsoft.com/feedback/idea/b356cb19-29dc-f011-ad8f-7c1e529694f5

https://feedbackportal.microsoft.com/feedback/idea/6cd9fd7c-49db-f011-ad8f-7c1e529694f5

Just FYI - You are not alone:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5646972/receiving-unsolicited-onedrive-file-folder-shares
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5654023/cannot-seem-to-stop-unsolicited-files-being-sent-b
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5668165/how-to-defend-one-drive-from-spam-attack-from-unkn
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5785111/onedrive-shared-tab
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5733687/block-spam-files-from-onedrive
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-za/answers/questions/5785103/i-am-receiving-repeated-unwanted-onedrive-shares
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-sg/answers/questions/5705438/how-do-i-stop-unsolicited-hacking-and-phishing-fil
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-ca/answers/questions/5779876/onedrive-personal-constant-spam-sharing-documents
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5645299/why-does-one-drive-not-have-privacy-settings-to-pr
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5664223/unsolicited-shared-files-on-one-drive
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-sg/answers/questions/5655793/onedrive-cant-received-a-shared-spam-link-and-cant
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5668539/how-to-delete-shared-files-from-an-unknown-person
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5679968/o365-onedrive-spam-files
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5665732/flooded-with-pdf-spam-(inappropriate-content)-and
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5192181/how-do-i-remove-my-access-to-unsolicited-files-on

Answer 4

I'm having the same issues and to say just delete them is utter rubbish, as you can only block and delete one at a time. And to report them, well it gets to about 15 of them and it seems like that is the limit.

So you're saying that anyone can send me spam and hundreds at a time, yet for my own account I have no control over what I get, this is pretty poor form by the most modern tech firm in the world

Answer 5

I have the same problem, and it would be nice if the multiselect option allowed the Report and Hide options to still be available.

To report and hide these one at a time is a huge inconvenience. Especially since I'm getting 10 - 20 of these spam shared files each day.

C'mon Microsoft. Do something about this already.