If you've been looking for a "Request Files" button in SharePoint, you won't find one. Microsoft briefly introduced file requests for SharePoint in 2020, then pulled the feature. It only exists in OneDrive — and even there, it comes with limitations.
The OneDrive File Request option
OneDrive for Business lets you create file request links. People upload files to a folder in your OneDrive without needing a Microsoft account. Sounds useful, but:
It's not available to everyone. You need a OneDrive for Business account (not personal). Your IT admin must enable "Anyone links" in the SharePoint admin center. Many organizations disable this for security reasons.
Files go to your personal OneDrive. Not a shared team site, not a SharePoint document library — your personal storage. This means colleagues can't easily access the collected files without you sharing them again.
No structure. All files land in one folder. If 20 people upload, you get 20+ files with whatever names they chose. No way to see who uploaded what without checking file properties.
No expiration or password. The link stays active until you manually remove it. No password protection option.
No notification beyond email. You get an email when files are uploaded. No dashboard, no real-time view.
What about SharePoint document libraries?
SharePoint document libraries are great for internal collaboration — team members uploading to shared folders. But for collecting files from external people (clients, candidates, vendors), they require guest access configuration, Azure AD invitations, and IT involvement. It's enterprise infrastructure, not a quick file collection tool.
The simpler alternative
If you need to collect files from people outside your organization — without IT tickets, admin configurations, or Microsoft account requirements — use a dedicated upload link.
getfiles.app creates an upload page in 10 seconds:
- No Microsoft account needed for uploaders
- No admin configuration required
- File checklists to specify what you need
- Password protection for sensitive documents
- Resumable uploads for large files
- Download everything as ZIP
- Works on any device, any browser
Share the link by email, Teams message, or even print it as a QR code.
For Microsoft-heavy organizations
If your team lives in Microsoft 365 and you want files to end up in SharePoint eventually, the workflow is simple:
- Create an upload page at getfiles.app
- Share the link with external people
- Download the ZIP when collection is complete
- Upload to your SharePoint document library
This keeps external file collection simple while maintaining your internal SharePoint structure. No guest access headaches, no admin tickets.
When to use OneDrive File Request anyway
If all these are true, OneDrive works: - You have OneDrive for Business - Your admin has enabled Anyone links - You're the only one who needs access to the files - You don't need checklists, passwords, or branding - You're comfortable with the files counting against your OneDrive storage
For everything else, a dedicated upload tool is faster and simpler.
→ getfiles.app — collect files from anyone, no Microsoft account needed. Free.