Time’s Up! Expiration Dates Arrive for SharePoint Online Links

SharePoint Online has leveled up with a feature we’ve all secretly wanted: sharing links that don’t last forever. Whether you’re handing out a link for everyone in the company or just your favorite coworker, you can now slap an expiration date on it and let time take care of your access worries.

When the clock runs out, the link goes kaput—no more access. Need to share again? The owner has to roll up their sleeves and generate a shiny new link.

Why Expiring Links Are Zero Trust’s New BFF

The new expiration feature fits snugly into Zero Trust security—where nobody gets to rest on their laurels, and trust is a thing you constantly have to earn. Here’s why this update is such a match:

• Access on a Timer: Expiration dates scream “least privilege!” by making sure access isn’t eternal. Once time’s up, so is the access, cutting down on unnecessary risks.

• Flex Like a Pro: Zero Trust is all about staying flexible, and expiring links are a textbook example. Need access for a day, a week, or just 15 minutes? Set it and forget it.

• Limit the Damage: If a sharing link accidentally ends up in the wrong hands, expiration dates make sure the mistake has an expiration too. Damage control, built-in.

• Keep ‘Em Honest: Zero Trust loves rules like “always verify,” and expiring links are perfect for that. Every time access needs to be renewed, it forces a fresh look at who really needs it.

Sure, it’s not perfect yet, but expiring links show Microsoft is getting serious about Zero Trust vibes. A little more polish, and it’ll be another win in the war against oversharing!