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Zoho WorkDrive

Owner Role (WorkDrive)

The highest permission level in Zoho WorkDrive, giving a user full control over a Team Folder including member management, sharing settings, and deletion rights.

What Is the Owner Role in Zoho WorkDrive?

The Owner role in Zoho WorkDrive is the highest level of access for a Team Folder. An Owner can perform all actions in the folder: creating, editing, and deleting files; managing member permissions; changing sharing settings; and permanently deleting the folder itself. The user who creates a Team Folder is automatically assigned the Owner role.

Responsibilities of a Folder Owner

Owners are responsible for governing who can access the folder and at what permission level. They approve or revoke access for team members and external users, set link-sharing policies, and maintain the folder’s organisational structure. In organisations with strict data governance requirements, the Owner role is typically assigned to a team lead or department manager.

Transferring Ownership

Ownership of a Team Folder in Zoho WorkDrive can be transferred to another member if the original owner leaves the team or moves to a different role. The organisation admin can also take over ownership of any Team Folder to ensure business continuity. Unlike files in personal storage, Team Folder ownership transfer does not affect the files themselves.

Can multiple users have the Owner role on the same Team Folder?

Zoho WorkDrive allows multiple members to hold the Owner role on a single Team Folder. This is useful for larger teams where backup ownership is needed to ensure someone can always manage access without depending on one person. All Owners have equal authority over the folder’s settings.

Can an Owner delete files created by other team members?

Yes. An Owner in Zoho WorkDrive can delete any file within the Team Folder, regardless of who created or uploaded it. This authority is necessary for governance and cleanup purposes, so Owners should use deletion rights carefully and ensure important files are backed up or archived before removal.

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