How to Prevent Members Cannot Create Folders in a Document Library

When you manage a SharePoint document library, you may want to allow members to upload files but not create new folders. This restriction helps maintain a consistent folder structure and prevents accidental reorganization. The default permission level for members in a SharePoint site includes the ability to create folders. To change this, you must modify the permission level assigned to members or create a custom permission level. This article explains how to prevent members from creating folders in a document library by editing the Members group permissions or using a custom permission level.

Why Members Can Create Folders by Default

In SharePoint, every site has default permission levels such as Read, Edit, and Full Control. The Edit permission level includes the Create Items right. When you add a user to the Members group, they receive the Edit permission level. This right allows them to create files and folders in any document library on the site.

The Create Items permission controls both file and folder creation. There is no separate permission for folders only. To block folder creation while still allowing file uploads, you must remove the Create Items permission from the Members group. This change applies to all libraries on the site. If you want to restrict folder creation in only one library, you must break permission inheritance for that library and assign a custom permission level.

Steps to Remove Folder Creation Permission for All Libraries

This method changes the permission level for the entire Members group. It prevents members from creating folders in every document library on the site. Members can still upload files because the Edit permission level also includes the Add Items right, which is separate from Create Items.

1. Go to Site Permissions
   Open your SharePoint site. Click the gear icon in the top right and select Site permissions. If you are on a modern team site, click Site permissions in the left navigation pane under Settings.
2. Open the Members group
   Under the Permissions tab, click Advanced permissions settings. On the Permissions page, find the group named Members (or your custom group name). Click the group name to open its settings.
3. Change the permission level
   On the group settings page, click the Settings tab and select Group permissions. In the Permissions section, uncheck Edit and check Read instead. Then click OK. This removes all editing rights, including folder creation and file uploads.
4. Create a custom permission level
   If you want members to upload files but not create folders, you need a custom permission level. Go back to Site permissions > Advanced permissions settings. On the ribbon, click Permission Levels. Scroll down and click Add a permission level. Name it Edit without Create. Under List Permissions, check Add Items but leave Create Items unchecked. Check all other Edit permissions you need, such as Edit Items and View Items. Click Create.
5. Assign the custom level to Members
   Return to the Members group permissions page. Click the Settings tab, then Group permissions. Uncheck Edit and check your new Edit without Create level. Click OK. Members can now upload files but cannot create folders.

Steps to Restrict Folder Creation in a Single Library

If you want to block folder creation in only one document library while keeping full Edit permissions elsewhere, you must break permission inheritance for that library and assign a custom permission level. This method gives you granular control without affecting other libraries.

1. Open the library settings
   Navigate to the document library where you want to restrict folder creation. Click the gear icon and select Library settings. If you are using a modern library, click the gear icon then Library settings from the menu.
2. Stop inheriting permissions
   In the Library settings page, under Permissions and Management, click Permissions for this document library. On the Permissions page, click the Stop Inheriting Permissions button on the ribbon. Confirm the warning. The library now has unique permissions.
3. Remove the Members group
   On the same Permissions page, select the check box next to the Members group. Click Remove User Permissions on the ribbon. Confirm the removal. The Members group no longer has any access to this library.
4. Add Members with a custom permission level
   Click the Grant Permissions button on the ribbon. In the dialog box, type the name of a security group or individual users you want to give access. Select the custom permission level you created earlier, such as Edit without Create. Click Share. These users can now upload files but cannot create folders in this library.

If Members Still Cannot Create Folders After the Main Fix

“Create Items” permission is still checked

If you assigned a custom permission level but members still cannot create folders, verify that the custom level does not include Create Items. Go to Site Permissions > Advanced permissions settings > Permission Levels. Click the custom level name. Under List Permissions, ensure Create Items is unchecked. If it is checked, edit the level and uncheck it.

Members are in multiple groups with conflicting permissions

A user may belong to more than one SharePoint group. If one group grants Create Items and another does not, the user will have Create Items. Review the user’s group memberships. Remove them from any group that includes the Edit permission level or a custom level with Create Items. Use the Check Permissions button on the Permissions page to see exactly what rights a user has.

Library inherits permissions from a parent site

If you did not break inheritance, the library uses the site’s permissions. Any change you make to the site-level Members group affects all libraries. To confirm inheritance, go to Library settings > Permissions for this document library. If you see the message “This library inherits permissions from its parent,” you must stop inheritance before applying unique permissions.

Site-Wide Restriction vs Single Library Restriction: Key Differences

Item	Site-Wide Restriction	Single Library Restriction
Scope	All libraries on the site	One specific library
Permission change	Edit the Members group permission level	Break inheritance and assign custom level
Complexity	Low	Medium
Effect on file uploads	Blocked if you assign Read level	Allowed with custom level
Best for	Simple sites with one library	Complex sites with multiple libraries

You can now control folder creation in your SharePoint document libraries. Start by deciding whether the restriction should apply site-wide or to a single library. For site-wide control, create a custom permission level that removes Create Items but keeps Add Items. For a single library, break inheritance and assign that custom level only to the target library. As an advanced tip, use the Check Permissions button after making changes to verify that members have exactly the rights you intended.