How to create a shared folder in onedrive

This guide demonstrates how to create a shared to the University of Toronto editable folder. This is useful for when you'd like to share a folder to colleagues and have them upload and modify the contents of that folder. These settings enable anyone with a UofT O365 account to access the folder, so be careful with how you select to use it.

Jump to

1. Go to OneDrive
2. Select "+New" button > Folder
3. Enter your Folder Name
4. Change the Sharing Permissions on your Folder
   1. Open the folder settings using the settings menu
   2. Change to "People in University of Toronto" and "Allow Editing"
   3. Select "Copy Link" to generate the link to the folder
   4. Copy the URL for the folder
5. Paste the link to the destination (or save for later)
6. Confirm new sharing settings

1. Go to OneDrive

Login to your O365 account using your UTORid and Password. Please note that there are multiple ways to create a shared OneDrive folder; this is just one method.

1. Use the Menu to open your O365 apps.
2. Navigate to OneDrive.

Can't see OneDrive? Select Office 365 in the top right (or All apps) to see more!

2. Select "+New" button > Folder

1. Confirm that you are in OneDrive.
2. Select on "New" blue button.
3. Select on "Folder."

3. Enter your Folder Name

1. Name your folder.

4. Change the Sharing Permissions on your Folder

1. The default sharing permission is PRIVATE. To create a folder that others can edit, you must change the permission to shared.

4.1. Open the folder settings using the settings menu

1. Select on the settings menu to expand it.
2. Select on the "Share" option.

4.2. Change to "People in University of Toronto" and "Allow Editing"

1. Select on "People you specify can view"
2. Change the default "People you specify can view" to "People in University of Toronto with the link"
3. Select "Allow Editing"
4. Select Apply

4.3. Select "Copy Link" to generate the link to the folder

1. Note that the sharing permission is now "People in University of Toronto with the link can edit;" if yours does not say this, please return to the previous step and make sure you've selected "Allow Editing."
2. Select on "Copy Link"

4.4. Copy the URL for the folder

1. Select on the "Copy" button to save the link to you clipboard.

5. Paste the link to the destination (or save for later)

The folder is now created and you can return to it in your OneDrive as needed.

6. Confirm new sharing settings

After you've changed the sharing settings (and this might take a bit of time or a hard refresh of your browser), you should see that the folder sharing setting has changed from "Private" to "Shared".

One of the easiest ways to use OneDrive for file sharing is to setup a dedicated folder that you and other people can use to share files. This option works great with for sharing with friends or family members, small office or a project team. 

In OneDrive, create the folder you want to use for sharing. Give it a name that will make its purpose immediately obvious even if someone else sees it in their OneDrive: For example, you might call it 2019 Budget – Shared Files. Sync that folder to the cloud and send a shared link to that folder with the other person (or persons) you want to share it with. (Make sure you allow editing.)

Your friends co-workers receive a link that takes them to OneDrive on the web, where they can click Add to my OneDrive.

When you add a shared folder to OneDrive, your changes show up for anyone with access to the folder.

That adds the shared folder to their OneDrive. It shows up in File Explorer automatically, and any files either of you add, edit, or delete are automatically synced to everyone else in the group.

How do I share a OneDrive folder with multiple users?

How do I Create a shared OneDrive file?

How do I setup a shared folder?