How to Unshare a Word Document: A Step-by-Step Guide

Sharing a Word document is easy, but what if you need to unshare it? Maybe you shared it with the wrong person, or you no longer want others to have access. Whatever the reason, unsharing a Word document is a simple process that can be done in just a few steps. After reading this brief explanation, you should have a good idea of how to unshare a Word document.

Step by Step Tutorial on How to Unshare a Word Document

Before we dive into the steps, it’s important to understand that unsharing a Word document will revoke access to anyone you’ve previously shared it with. They will no longer be able to view or edit the document.

Step 1: Open the Document

Open the Word document that you want to unshare.

When you open the document, make sure you’re connected to the internet. This is important because sharing settings are managed online.

Step 2: Click on ‘File’

Click on the ‘File’ tab in the top-left corner of the screen.

The ‘File’ tab will take you to a menu where you can manage various settings for your document, including sharing options.

Step 3: Select ‘Share’

From the menu on the left, select ‘Share’.

The ‘Share’ menu is where you can see who has access to your document and change their permissions.

Step 4: Manage Access

Click on ‘Manage Access’ to see a list of people who have access to the document.

In the ‘Manage Access’ section, you’ll see a list of people you’ve shared the document with and their current permissions.

Step 5: Stop Sharing

Next to the person’s name, click on ‘Stop sharing’.

By clicking ‘Stop sharing’, you will revoke that person’s access to the document. They will no longer be able to view or edit it.

After you complete these steps, the Word document will no longer be shared with the people you’ve removed. They will not be able to access the document unless you decide to share it with them again in the future.

Tips for Unsharing a Word Document

• Make sure you’re the owner of the document or have permission to change sharing settings.
• Double-check that you’re revoking access from the correct person.
• Consider informing the person that you’re unsharing the document with them.
• Keep in mind that once you unshare the document, any changes they’ve made will still be saved.
• If you’re unsharing with multiple people, you’ll have to repeat the process for each person.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the person be notified when I unshare the document with them?

No, the person will not receive a notification when you unshare the document with them. However, they will no longer be able to access the document.

Can I unshare a document that I didn’t originally share?

You can only unshare a document if you’re the owner or have been given permission to manage sharing settings.

What happens to the changes made by someone I’ve unshared the document with?

Any changes made by the person before you unshared the document will still be saved.

Can I restore access to someone after unsharing the document with them?

Yes, you can always share the document with them again if you change your mind.

Is the process the same for all versions of Word?

The process may vary slightly depending on the version of Word you’re using, but the general steps should be similar.

Summary

1. Open the Word document.
2. Click on ‘File’.
3. Select ‘Share’.
4. Click on ‘Manage Access’.
5. Click ‘Stop sharing’ next to the person’s name.

Conclusion

Unsharing a Word document is a straightforward process that gives you control over who can access your files. Whether you shared it by mistake or simply changed your mind, following the steps outlined in this article will help you unshare the document quickly and efficiently. Remember to double-check that you’re removing access for the right person and to communicate with them if necessary. With these tips and FAQs, you should now feel confident in managing the sharing settings of your Word documents. If you ever need to unshare a Word document, just refer back to this guide for a quick and easy solution.