Salesforce Files requires Enable Chatter System Permission - is there a work around?

Hi John, 

A little late I imagine but just save other peoples time. 

I have run into this problem also, one of the many crazy head melts that you encounter when working with salesforce. I couldn't find any real workaround unfortunately. 

I far as I am aware if you disable chatter (this option is added via a case with sf) for a user they lose access to files, notes and attachments. Bizarrely enough when a user is denied access to a file in this scenario they can't view it in the pop up but are allowed to download it!