Office 365 / Exchange Online – Disable One Drive for Business Integration

Exchange Online has been extended to take advantage of One Drive for Business as a location to access or store email attachments.  Users of Outlook Web Access may notice that they have the ability to now attach files from One Drive for Business (ODFB) when composing a new message.

 

 

 

 

In addition to the ability to attach files directly from ODFB when a user attaches a file from a local source, for example their laptop, and that attachment is over the allowable size limit the user may choose to store the attachment directly on ODFB. 

 

 

When the file has been successfully uploaded to ODFB the message recipient receives an email with a link to the file.

 

 

 

There could arise a need for administrators to disable this functionality for any number of reasons.  It is important to remember that ODFB is derived from storage in SharePoint.  Administrators may disable ODFB integration not only in Exchange Online but also in other areas – for example the quick access items.  To disable ODFB the administrator must access the portal and select SharePoint administration.

 

 

This will take administrators to the SharePoint admin center.  The ODFB settings can be accessed by selecting the settings option.

 

 

In the settings option, “Top of Navigation Bar User Experience” is the “One Drive for Business” options.  By default the show option is selected.  To hide one drive as well as disable integration select the hide option. 

 

 

In the lower right hand corner is the OK option.  This commits the setting.

 

 

When the setting has been committed it can take several minutes for it to become hidden in the tenant.  The administrator can verify success by verifying that the one drive settings are no longer present when attaching a file or attempting to attach a file over the size limit.

 

 

 

It is important to note that when ODFB has been hidden – it is hidden from all areas within Office 365.  There are no options to de-integrate ODFB from Outlook Web Access while maintaining access to it from the quick access area or from within Office applications.

Comments

• Anonymous
  June 14, 2015
  did I say always interesting?:)
  
• Anonymous
  July 19, 2015
  Always count on TURBOMCP to read what I publish.
  
  TIMMCMIC
• Anonymous
  August 24, 2015
  somebody has to do it:)
  just kidding , its always interesting and a refresher on stuff I seen before
  Thanks again for sharing this stuff
  
• Anonymous
  August 24, 2015
  @TurboMCP...
  
  NP
  
  TIMMCMIC
• Anonymous
  October 29, 2015
  Please note that this also removes access to all other Office Online applications. Appears to disable collaboration features as well (ability to edit documents that are already open by other users).