Gaining access to someone's OneDrive after their death
OneDrive Digital legacy is a way for you to leave your pictures and files with another person, so that they can access your OneDrive if you pass away or can't use your account.
Important: We understand that these might be difficult times for those seeking access to someone’s email or storage accounts, but if OneDrive Digital legacy has not been set up, for privacy and other legal reasons, Microsoft is generally unable to provide information to non-account holders. Learn more about your options.
How to give access to your OneDrive before your death
OneDrive Digital legacy allows you to grant read-only access to your next of kin, or a contact you trust to your OneDrive, so that in event of your death, they can view your files and photos.
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Account holder actions |
Trusted contact actions |
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1. |
​​​​​​​Sign in to your OneDrive at onedrive.com and select Settings then Digital legacy.Sign in |
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Invite your trusted contact by entering their email and select Invite. |
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Open the "invitation to be their trusted contact for OneDrive", select the link, and sign in using their credentials. |
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Go to Digital legacy and select Accept. |
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Go to Digital legacy and select Get code. |
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Share the code securely. |
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7. |
Go to Digital legacy and select Request access. Enter the code that has been shared or provided and wait 72 hours. |
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8. |
After 72 hours, access will be granted, and the button will change from Waiting to Go to files.​​​​​​​ |
Notes:Â
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Your trusted contact must have a Microsoft account. Create one.
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If you send an invitation by mistake, or send it to the wrong person, select Cancel invitation.
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You will be CC'd on the emails to your trusted contact, but you don't need to respond.
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You can share the Digital legacy code straight away, write it down in your Will, or give it to a third party such as lawyer or estate executor. The sharing code does not change and does not expire.
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Digital legacy files are read only. Once files are downloaded, they can be modified or edited.
Digital legacy was not set up, so how can I access their files?
We understand that these might be difficult times for those seeking access to someone’s email or storage accounts, but if OneDrive Digital legacy has not been set up, for privacy and other legal reasons, Microsoft is generally unable to provide information to non-account holders. Learn more about your options.
