Summary
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. 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.
Body
Questions
- How do I make a folder in Teams read-only so members can't 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’t I change folder permissions directly inside Teams?
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. 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.
Resolution
To make a Teams folder read-only, an owner must adjust its permissions where the files are stored.
- 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 that you want to make read-only and click the three dots (…), then select Manage access.
- Select Groups and change the Team Members group permissions from "Can edit" to "Can view" to prevent changes.
Once complete, Team members will be able to open and view files in that folder, but they will not be able to edit, upload, or delete them. Team owners will still retain full control.
Important: You must be a Team owner to change folder permissions.
Need Help?
Chat with Bowdoin Bot at support.bowdoin.edu or contact the Bowdoin College Service Desk at (207) 725‑3030.