Method 1: Via Microsoft 365 Admin Center (Quickest)
This method is ideal for one-time access, such as when a manager needs to retrieve files from a former employee.
- Go to the Microsoft 365 Admin Center.
- In the left menu, go to Users > Active users.
- Select the employee whose OneDrive you want to access.
- In the flyout pane, select the OneDrive tab.
- Under Get access to files, select Create link to files.
- Click the generated link to open their OneDrive in your browser.
- To give another person access: Copy this URL and send it to the other employee.
- Note: You must also perform the steps in Method 2 to ensure they have the actual permissions to view the content via that link.
Method 2: Via SharePoint Admin Center (Full Permissions)
This method officially adds the second employee as a Site Collection Administrator, giving them full control over the OneDrive account.
- In the M365 Admin Center, select SharePoint under the Admin centers (you may need to click "Show all").
- In the SharePoint Admin Center, select More features from the left-hand menu.
- Find User profiles and click Open.
- Under People, click Manage User Profiles.
- In the Find profiles box, type the name or email of the employee whose OneDrive needs to be shared and click Find.
- Hover over the user's Account name, click the small dropdown arrow that appears, and select Manage site collection owners.
- In the Site Collection Administrators box, type the name or email of the employee who needs access.
- Click OK. The second employee can now access the first employee's OneDrive using the URL from Method 1.
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