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Purpose
This guide explains how recent browser security updates in Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome affect access to local device or network drive files from websites—particularly SharePoint and OneDrive Online. It also provides steps for managing permissions if users need to allow or restore local network access for these sites.
Overview
Due to security changes, Edge and/or Chrome may no longer allow access to local device files or network drive files when using websites, primarily SharePoint or OneDrive Online.
When these changes are implemented, the user should be prompted to "Allow" or "Block" access to local network devices. In general, most sites don't need access to local resources so the general rule should be to deny access. However, some sites (primarily file sharing sites) will need to be allowed through by clicking "Allow" on the prompt.
If a user has previously clicked "Block" on a prompt on a site, and finds that functionality is broken or that it needs to later be allowed they will need to go to the site settings to change the permissions. To do so, click the Padlock icon at the beginning of the site URL in the address bar:
This will bring up a list of options, one of which will be "Local Network Access" which can then be changed to "Allow". The page will need to be refreshed for the change to take effect.
