How do I securely receive a file from an external sender with OneDrive?
OneDrive also allows you to securely request files. With file requests, anyone can send you a file, even if they don't have a OneDrive. This process gives the recipient a link that they can securely upload files to, which will dump into a folder that you specify. It's important to note that this link will not give the recipient access to your folder and it's contents.
- To begin log into OneDrive on the Web. If you're unsure how to get there, navigate to inside.ewu.edu -> Cloud Storage -> OneDrive.
- Hover your cursor over the folder that you want the requested files to dump into. In our example, we'll use the Documents folder.

- Select the box next to the folder name when hovering your mouse over it.

- A menu will display above the list of folders and files. Select Request files.

- A menu box will open. Enter the e-mail address of the user you wish to request files from and click Next.

- The menu box then give you an option to either copy a link which you can then paste into a direct e-mail to the recipient, or you can send the e-mail directly, along with a custom message.

Click Done once you've copied the link, or Send if you entered an e-mail address to send the notification to.
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You'll receive an acknowledgement that the request was sent if you opted to do so.
What does the request look like from the recipients point of view?
- The recipient will receive an e-mail, titled "YourName is requesting files from you" with a link to Upload Files.
- Clicking on the "Upload Files" button will automatically open a browser window that points to a Microsoft OneDrive link.
- The linked page will advise that you are requesting files from the e-mail address you sent the request to, and there is a link to Select Files for uploading.

- Clicking on Select Files will open their File Explorer or Finder application on Mac, allowing them to navigate to the file they wish to upload. Once they select the file they'll be asked to type their name and then select Upload.

- After the file is uploaded, they'll receive a confirmation notice that the file has finished uploading and has been sent.

Receiving the uploaded File
- You will receive an e-mail notification from SharePoint Online (msnotify-no-reply@ewu.edu) titled: [Recipients name] uploaded new files to your request for [Recipients e-mail] with a link to See new files.
- Click the See new files button to automatically open the OneDrive Folder that you set earlier in your default web browser.
Removing the File Upload Link
- If you want to expire the link so that the recipient can no longer upload files to your OneDrive, navigate to the folder in your OneDrive that you set in the beginning. In our example, it was document.

- Click the three dots to open the submenu.

- Select Manage access.

- Select the Links tab and then click on the Trash can to expire the link.

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