Summary
Explains how a Team owner can make a folder in a Team read-only so members can view files but cannot edit, upload, or delete them. Because a Team's files are stored in a connected SharePoint site, the permission change is made in SharePoint. Applies to Bowdoin faculty and staff who own a Team.
Body
Questions
- How do I make a folder in Teams read-only so members cannot edit or delete the files?
- Can I allow people to view files but prevent them from deleting or changing them?
- Do I need to be a Team owner to make a folder read-only?
- Why can I not change folder permissions directly inside Teams?
- How do I set a Teams folder to view-only for members?
- How do I protect files in a Team channel from being changed?
Environment
This article applies to file folders stored as part of a Team. Files in a Team's Shared tab are actually stored in a connected SharePoint site, so folder permissions are changed in SharePoint rather than in Teams. These steps are intended for Team owners who want to prevent members from editing, deleting, or adding files to a specific folder while still allowing them to view the contents.
- You must be a Team owner to change folder permissions.
Resolution
To make a Teams folder read-only, a Team owner adjusts its permissions where the files are stored in SharePoint.
- Open Microsoft Teams and go to the Team that contains the folder.
- Select the Shared tab at the top of the channel, click the three dots (...) in the toolbar, and select Open in SharePoint.
- In SharePoint, hover over the folder to make read-only, click the three dots (...), then select Manage access.
- Select Groups and change the Team Members group permission from Can edit to Can view to prevent changes.
Once the permission is changed, Team members can open and view files in that folder, but they cannot edit, upload, or delete them. Team owners still retain full control.
Important: You must be a Team owner to change folder permissions.
Note: To restrict who can share files across an entire Team rather than lock a single folder, see Restrict Microsoft Teams File Sharing to Team Owners Only in the Related Articles section.
Additional Help
If you need further assistance, you have several options:
- Bowdoin Bot: Chat with Bowdoin Bot directly from any KB page for instant answers.
- Phone: Call the Bowdoin College Service Desk at (207) 725-3030.
- In person: Visit the Tech Hub in Smith Union during business hours.
- Submit a ticket: Request assistance through the Service Catalog.