30 March, 2026
No action needed: Microsoft will begin rolling out this update soon across Microsoft 365. As the update reaches KAUST, you will start to see the new experience when accessing SharePoint pages, Microsoft Lists, files, and folders you do not currently have permission to view.
If you have ever tried to open a file, folder, page, or list in SharePoint or OneDrive and run into an access message, Microsoft is updating that experience to make it cleaner, clearer, and easier to understand.
When you do not have access to a SharePoint site, page, list, file, or folder, you will now see a redesigned experience with a cleaner layout, clearer labels, and more intuitive options for requesting access.
Below is a side-by-side look at the previous experience and the updated design you will begin seeing as the rollout continues.
Previous Experience
New Experience
Previous Experience
New Experience
In most cases, you do not need to contact IT to request access.
Simply click Request access, add a short message, and your request will be sent directly to the owner of the file, folder, page, site, or list. The owner can then review your request and decide whether to approve or reject access.
This helps ensure the right people stay in control of their content and that access decisions are made by the individuals or teams responsible for that information.
Important: The IT Department cannot grant access to SharePoint sites, pages, lists, files, or folders without owner approval. Access is controlled by the content owner to protect data privacy, governance, and information integrity across the university.
If your access request is not answered, we recommend following up with the responsible person, team, or department for that content.
If you are unsure who the owner may be, or you need help understanding the process, you can contact the IT Service Desk for guidance:
Contact KAUST IT
