Change default setting for access requests from "Edit" to "Read"
Since there is no existing way to control the default settings for user access requests, and since the default is currently set to 'Edit,' this creates a situation in which a user who may have never accessed Sharepoint before and simply wants to read a news article must instead be granted editing rights--creating a scenario in which many inexperienced users who are only looking to read or download content have to be given the power to create serious, unintentional damage to a page by being granted editing rights. A much more prudent approach would be to set the default permission level to "Read," and enable the admin team to upgrade the permission to 'Edit' only where appropriate.

16 comments
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andreas.boegehold commented
Just for clarification: Site access requests -> uses default user group. Access requests to files or folders within the site -> default: edit user permission.
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Wim Vandierendonck commented
As was already stated by Mary Mac it is possible to set "Read" as the default for access requests.
All you have to do is navigate to the visitors group and click 'Make Default Group' in the Settings menu.
https://lightningtools.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/image-4.png -
Anonymous commented
Totally agree. "Edit" is a BAD default. Should be "View".
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Mary Mac commented
You can change the default group on a site and it that group is set to read, it would solve the problem. (Assuming I understood the problem but this is what I've done to get rid of EDIT as default.)
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Artur commented
I really support this change. The overwhelming majority of users who request access to a communication site just want to be able view the content not to make changes to the site. By the default the access setting should be set to Read.
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Anonymous commented
So are you talking about the approval when using SharePoint Online approval list or is this the process via the e-mail? I have 2 scenario's now when I set the Visitors Group to default in SPO.
1. The default permission when using the access request list is set to visitors (read) which is as expected.
2. When I do the same request via e-mail SPO sets the default permission to Contribute. This is really strange. -
Anonymous commented
Edit SHOULD NOT be the default, what were you thinking! I have minor panic attacks every time I run across someone with Edit permissions during my site audits!!! Really dropped the ball on this one!
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Anonymous commented
Our users are so angry at this. We're now encountering file locking issues when multiple people are opening files at the same time. Also, people are now making inadvertent changes to files when opening files.
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Loveleen commented
Agree, Please make this change
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Anonymous commented
Please make this change! This is much-needed and very important.
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Nikki Klikas commented
Completely agree!
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Anonymous commented
Completely agree with this change
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Alyson Stevens commented
I agree with this change for sure.
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Anonymous commented
Great idea and I completely agree it will make it much more user friendly. Thanks
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Amy Hunt commented
I agree wholeheartedly. This would make a much needed improvement in the process!
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Anonymous commented
This is very important, as it removes the possibility of unauthorized users getting access to sensitive materials and edit access to corporate SharePoint sites.