Create a Shared Library (SharePoint) for Large Data

Create a Shared Library (SharePoint) for Large Data

A Shared Library is actually a SharePoint Document Library. OneDrive for Business is built on top of SharePoint, which has much higher sharing tolerance.

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🔹 Prerequisites

You must have one of these:

• Microsoft 365 Business

• OneDrive for Business (work/school account)

• Access to SharePoint Online

❌ This will not work with personal OneDrive.

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STEP 1: Open SharePoint

1. Go to 👉 https://www.office.com

2. Sign in with your work/school Microsoft account

3. Click App launcher (9 dots) → SharePoint

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STEP 2: Create a New SharePoint Site

1. Click Create site

2. Choose Team site

3. Fill:

   • Site name: e.g. LargeDataShare

   • Privacy: Private (recommended)

4. Click Next → Finish

⏱ Takes ~30 seconds to provision.

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STEP 3: Create a Document Library (Shared Library)

1. Open your newly created site

2. Click New → Document library

3. Name it something like:

   • Projects

   • Archive

   • SharedData

4. Click Create

This is your shared library.

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STEP 4: Upload / Move Your 400 GB Data

✅ Option A: Sync Locally (BEST)

This avoids browser upload limits.

1. In the document library → click Sync

2. OneDrive app opens

3. A new folder appears on your PC:

C:\Users\<you>\SharePoint\LargeDataShare\

1. Move or copy your large folders into this directory

2. Let OneDrive sync in background

✔ Handles hundreds of GB safely ✔ Resume supported ✔ No size-based sharing block

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⚠ Option B: Upload via Browser

Works, but not recommended for 400 GB.

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STEP 5: Share the Library (Key Step)

1. Open the Document Library

2. Click Settings (⚙) → Library settings

3. Click Permissions for this document library

4. Click Share

5. Add:

   • Emails of users

   • Or create a shareable link

You can grant:

• View

• Edit

📌 This shares everything inside, regardless of size.

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STEP 6: (Optional) Add Shortcut to OneDrive

For recipients:

1. Open the shared library

2. Click Add shortcut to OneDrive

Now it appears like a normal folder in their OneDrive.

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Why This Works (Important)

OneDrive Personal	SharePoint Library
Folder share limits	Designed for TBs
Sync-root restrictions	Enterprise-grade
Limited permissions	Fine-grained ACLs

This bypasses the “folder too large to share” error completely.

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⚠ Important Notes

• Total storage depends on your Microsoft 365 plan

• Sharing is faster & more reliable

• Ideal for:

  • Teams

  • Large archives

  • Long-term access