(Updated) Microsoft 365: The Next Generation of File & Folder Sharing

Updated August 26, 2026: We have updated the content and timeline. Thank you for your patience. 

[What and why:]

We're introducing the third-generation Microsoft 365 sharing experience to make collaboration simpler, smarter, and more secure by default. At the center of this update is a new hero link—a single sharing link that controls access to a file or folder.

Users will see one consistent sharing experience whether they copy a link, share through email, or use the browser URL. The hero link consolidates sharing controls into a single link that can be updated after it has been shared, reducing the need to create and resend new links when access requirements change.

[Rollout schedule:]

• General Availability (Worldwide): Rolling out mid-September 2026 (previously late August) through late October 2026
• GCC: Rolling out mid-September 2026 (previously late August) through late October 2026
• GCC High: Rolling out mid-September 2026 (previously late August) through late October 2026
• DoD: Rolling out mid-September 2026 (previously late August) through late October 2026

[Impact on your organization:]

Who is affected: All users who share or manage files and folders in Microsoft 365.

Platforms and services: SharePoint, OneDrive, and Microsoft 365 file-sharing experiences.

What will happen:

• Every file and folder will have a single primary sharing link, called the hero link, displayed in the sharing dialog.
• The hero link settings determine who can access the item beyond people who are explicitly granted access.
• Adding people directly to a file or folder remains unchanged and continues to be the simplest way to share content.

Screenshot - Add people screen when sharing 

• By default, the hero link is set to Only people added to the file, meaning the link itself does not grant access to anyone.

Screenshot - Share file view with hero link

• Users can broaden access to people in the organization with the link or, where permitted by organizational policy, to anyone with the link.
• Users can choose whether recipients can view, edit, or view without downloading, depending on available permissions.
• Changing the audience for the hero link updates the existing link rather than creating a new one.
• If recipients cannot open a previously shared file, the sender can expand access on the same hero link without redistributing a new URL.
• Existing sharing links will continue to function and will appear under Other links in the sharing dialog.
• Effective access remains the most permissive combination of direct permissions, inherited permissions, group-based permissions, and link-based permissions.
• Users will see a tutorial experience upon opening the new share dialog for the first time.

[Action required/Recommendations:]

No action is required before rollout.

Organizations should consider the following preparation activities:

• Review internal sharing guidance and end-user documentation to reflect the new single-link sharing model.
• Communicate the updated sharing experience to users who regularly collaborate across teams and organizations.
• Evaluate site-level default sharing settings where different sharing behaviors are required.

Learn more:

• Walkthrough Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RpE0KrQmcA&t=4s
• Announcement Blog: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/onedriveblog/simple-smart-and-secure-the-next-step-in-sharing-files-in-microsoft-365/4411655

Admin controls

• Administrators can configure the default audience for the hero link at the SharePoint site collection or OneDrive level by using the DefaultMainLinkScope parameter in SharePoint PowerShell.
• Supported values are:
  • OnlyPeopleAdded (default)
  • Organization
• There is currently no tenant-wide equivalent setting for the hero link audience.
• DefaultMainLinkScope controls only the default audience and does not prevent users from broadening access when allowed by policy.
• Hero links start with view permissions by default.
• Existing default sharing link settings and link expiration policies continue to apply to legacy links and do not govern hero links.

[Compliance considerations:]

No compliance considerations identified, review as appropriate for your organization.