How to delete shared files from an unknown person on One drive

Question

Somebody unknown to me has shared some inappropriate files onto my one Drive shared files and I am unable to delete these files.

Answer 1

Hello,

In OneDrive you cannot delete files that someone else owns. The right fix is to remove the items from your Shared view so they disappear from your OneDrive everywhere.

Sign in to OneDrive on the web. Open Shared on the left, then Shared with you. Select the files or folders from the unknown person, then choose Remove from shared list. This hides them and stops them from showing up in File Explorer if they were syncing.

If you still see a shared folder under My files or in File Explorer, it is a shortcut you previously added. In OneDrive on the web go to My files, select that shortcut folder, then choose Remove shortcut from My files. If you prefer doing it from File Explorer, right click the folder under your OneDrive, choose View online, then use Remove shortcut there.

If the content is inappropriate or illegal, open one of the files in OneDrive on the web and use Report abuse in the menu. That alerts Microsoft and can prevent further shares from that account.

Try this and tell me what you see after removing the items. If anything remains visible, describe exactly where it still appears and I will guide you to clear it.

Answer 2

Hello,

You are doing the right thing by not opening this file. It appears scammers have found a product loophole to share files with users knowing the files would show up on their OneDrive. As of now, there's no way to delete this. You will see this file in your ONedrive.com when you go online in the "Shared" section, but you can check the box, the right click and report it. If you run into issue hiding or reporting, it can mean that the account is already being reviewed or the file share link is being reviewed.

You can also hide it. The file technically doesn't live in your OneDrive, but lives in the sender's OneDrive. It doesn't take up your OneDrive storage. It is just listed for you to see, but like I said, hide it and report it. And also consider sending this as a feedback for the product team to make them aware. https://feedbackportal.microsoft.com/feedback