OneDrive Sharing Link vs Direct Download Link: Major Differences
Microsoft’s cloud storage platform, OneDrive, has many features that users know and love. From storage management to inter-device sync, Microsoft has left no stone unturned to make it the most capable online drive. However, sometimes users might get confused between features that appear similar to each other. New users especially express a common query regarding OneDrive Sharing Link vs Direct Download Link.
These features help Microsoft OneDrive manage user requirements for a cross-platform collaborative environment. Yet there are minute differences in when you should prefer to use one over the other. Plus, depending on the M365 plan you are subscribed to, you might not even have an option to choose.
That’s why I am writing this blog to not only end the debate on the difference between sharing and creating a OneDrive direct download link but also equip you with the correct knowledge of their uses.
Here, I will cover everything from what the two types of links are. How to make one on your own, and what you can do to convert one link to the other. And much more. So let’s start.
What is a OneDrive Sharing Link? How Is It Different from a Download Link?
A OneDrive sharing link is one of the earliest features of OneDrive that remains a staple after all these years. Back in the day, when OneDrive was known as SkyDrive (OneDrive’s predecessor), a similar feature existed that allowed users to view other people’s Drive content over the internet.
Check Out: What to Do to Download a Folder From OneDrive?
What this link does is create a doorway for others through which they can access your files and folders. The link creator has full control to decide how the permissions will be shaped. What the recipients can view, edit, and interact with, and for how long (yes, you can set a custom expiry date as well). This is the official Microsoft method of sharing data in OneDrive, so there are no third parties involved, which also assures users that the data is in secure hands.
You can download files shared with you over a sharing link, but when we compare the OneDrive sharing link vs the download link, the former falls more towards controlled access and teamwork rather than a plain download.
Also Read: Guide to Sync SharePoint to OneDrive
A OneDrive Direct Download link is not that much different from a shared link, except that a download link has only one job. That is to download a single file from OneDrive without ever interacting with the OneDrive web interface. You get the file in its original format, no decompressing zips. However, if you try to download all the files shared with you through the sharing link, you will receive a zipped container.
OneDrive Link Syntax: Standard vs. Direct Download
Please note that if this is your first time exploring OneDrive features, you might even see a Download option. Don’t get confused. It is not the direct download link; rather, it is a separate feature altogether where you, the account owner, can get a copy of OneDrive content on your local workstation. Next, check the syntax differences.
| Account Type | Link Type | Key Syntax Element | Example |
| OneDrive Personal | Standard Sharing Link | Uses the word embed | https://onedrive.live.com/embed?cid=… |
| Direct Download Link | Replaces embed with download | https://onedrive.live.com/download?cid=… | |
| OneDrive for Business | Standard Sharing Link | A standard URL with no extra command | https://[company].sharepoint.com/…/?e=ABCDE |
| Direct Download Link | Adds &download=1 to the end | https://[company].sharepoint.com/…/?e=ABCDE&download=1 |
How to Create OneDrive Sharing Link vs Direct Download Link
First up for free, personal, and family M365 plan subscribers who use OneDrive: For sharing, all you need to do:
Right-click on a File > Share > Click on Copy link
You can adjust the Permission level, add or remove people who can access the contents, etc.
Unfortunately, free and even paid personal /family plans have no option to natively create direct download links anymore. The earlier methods, like replacing the word “embedded” with “download,” simply don’t work.
First, the embedded links that OneDrive now creates are shortened URLs. You have to open them in your browser to get the actual path.
If it’s an image file, then the link won’t even have an “embedded” text. For the rest of the file, replacing embedded with download will make the link forbidden as if the file never existed.
So let’s move on to the business/education plan holders. The steps to create the sharing link are exactly the same, so no use repeating them. Here are the steps to make the direct download link on business or educational OneDrive accounts.
There is just one minor change you need to make to the shared link. Get the standard Share link first. Paste it and add “&download=1” to the end.
Ensure OneDrive Safety Before Sending A Sharing or Direct Download Link
Data safety on OneDrive is not entirely Microsoft’s responsibility. You are also accountable for the actions you take. More so if you are an admin in an organization managing OneDrive access for all users company-wide.
Not to worry, as we have an excellent solution ready to deploy. Add SysTools OneDrive for Business Backup Software to your arsenal and protect your users’ files and other important documents easily.
With an intuitive GUI and a scriptless way of shielding the organization’s data, this tool is purpose-built to handle all solutions.
You can apply filters based on the time data was put inside OneDrive, select specific user accounts, and even prioritize the backup queue.
Plus, with the Delta backup facility, you get to capture the data even beyond last-minute instances.
So it doesn’t matter if you use the OneDrive Sharing Link vs. the Direct Download link; this tool will keep all original data safe in a secure offline folder free from any external interference. The best part is that you can also restore the data whenever you want.
Conclusion
Here, we did a complete breakdown of OneDrive Sharing Link vs Direct Download Link. So now I hope users are confident enough to understand which link to use and when.
The links are not permanent, and you can always cancel and remake one type of link into another. The most important thing to remember is knowing what the intention/recipient’s expectation is. If you are working on a collaborative project where multiple people will work together in real-time, then sharing links is the way to go. On the other hand, if the main purpose is to lessen the download delay by eliminating unnecessary browser file loading (especially for large file sizes), direct download links offer the best outcome.