Share pics on one drive with specific users

Question

Your website claims you do not need to have a MS outlook or hotmail account to access someone who has shared their pictures posted on onedrive. However the first thing MS asks for when someonce clicks on the shared link in the email, is to sign in or register for a MS email account in order to view pictures??? So obviously this claim is false.

Answer 1

based on the reply it appears the a school / work account offers more control is there a cost for a school / work account?

Answer 2

Hello

This depends on how the file owner shares the file.

If they share it using the red arrow area, by putting in your email address, when you receive the email, the link in the email will require MS account to sign in and view.

However, if they click on Copy (green arrow), then paste the link in an email to you, you will not be asked to sign in at all.

Answer 3

The claim is accurate, but the behavior depends on how the file was shared and what type of account the sender is using.

For OneDrive for work or school:

• When sharing, the sender can choose Specific people in Link settings.
• If the recipient does not have a Microsoft account, OneDrive/SharePoint sends a one-time passcode to the recipient’s email. The recipient enters that code on the verification screen to open the file. No Microsoft account is required, and the link will not work if it is forwarded to others.
• If the recipient does have a Microsoft account, they may be asked to sign in instead, and grant permission to use their name, email, and photo to verify identity. In some cases, even these users may be asked for a passcode instead of sign-in.

For personal OneDrive accounts:

• If the sender chooses Anyone with the link in Link settings, recipients do not need a Microsoft account and do not need to enter a passcode or sign in. Anyone with the link can access the content, and the link can be forwarded.
• If the sender chooses Specific people, then recipients must have a Microsoft account to access the content.

If recipients are being forced to sign in or create a Microsoft account, it usually means:

• The sender used Specific people from a personal OneDrive, which requires a Microsoft account; or
• The organization’s sharing policy or link type requires sign-in instead of the passcode flow.

To avoid forcing recipients to create an account, the sender should:

• For work/school OneDrive: share with Specific people and let recipients use the one-time passcode flow.
• For personal OneDrive: share using Anyone with the link if account-free access is desired (noting this is less secure because links can be forwarded).

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References:

• External or guest sharing in OneDrive, SharePoint, and Lists
• Share files and folders in Microsoft OneDrive
• Share files and photos with family or Outlook groups