Posted inMicrosoft 365 apps Microsoft 365 suite SharePoint Online

MC1454378: Microsoft 365 Adds Unified File and Folder Sharing with Hero Link

5 minutesPosted inMicrosoft 365 apps, Microsoft 365 suite, SharePoint Online
MWPRO IMPACT SCORE
OPERATIONAL IMPACT
60
0 25 50 75 100
HIGH IMPACT • REVIEW RECOMMENDED
Recommended Action:
Review the update and plan any required actions before rollout.
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Primary Audience

Microsoft 365 AdminsSharePoint AdminsTeams AdminsIT ManagersTenant AdminsService Owners
Why this score?
AI Confidence
HIGH
Enough detail is available to trust this assessment.
Assessment Reasoning
The rollout is actively progressing with revised dates from early October to late November 2026. It introduces a major change to the sharing model in OneDrive and SharePoint, consolidating all links into a single hero link. Admins need to review and possibly adjust sharing policies, documentation and user guidance. Users will experience noticeable differences in the sharing dialogue and permissions management, though existing links remain functional, making immediate disruption moderate.
65
🛡️ Admin Impact
HIGH
55
👥 User Impact
HIGH
60
⚡ Urgency
HIGH
50
🔧 Effort
HIGH
ℹ️ WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
📌

AT A GLANCE

Microsoft 365 introduces a new single-link sharing model (‘hero link’) for files and folders, simplifying permission updates and improving consistency across SharePoint and OneDrive.
👥

END USERS

Users will see a new sharing dialog showing one main link that can be updated instead of creating new links.
🛡️

IT ADMINS

Review default sharing settings and update internal guidance to reflect the hero link model before rollout completes.
📅

ROLLOUT TIMELINE

Rolling out:
Oct–Nov 2026

📢 Official Microsoft Message Center Announcement

(Updated) Microsoft 365: The Next Generation of File & Folder Sharing
Message ID: MC1454378 (Updated)

Updated October 7, 2026: We have updated the 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, GCC, GCC High, DoD): Rolling out early October 2026 (previously mid-September) through end of November 2026 (previously late October)

[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 

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  • 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

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  • 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:

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.

Source: Microsoft Message Center • Analysed by MWPro

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