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This article explains how to migrate files from Google Drive to Microsoft OneDrive.
Before you begin: Prior to migrating your files, review your Google Drive files and confirm they are still needed. These instructions only transfer files located in the My Drive section of Google Drive.
Important: These instructions only migrate files from your Google Drive. They do not include Google Photos, Sites, Forms, Slides, or other Google services.
Before Migrating Your Files ▾
These instructions apply to files located in the My Drive section of Google Drive.
If you have files in the Shared with Me section that you would like to transfer, you will first need to save a copy in your own Google Drive before completing the migration steps below.
Sharing permissions: Sharing permissions will not transfer from Google Drive to OneDrive. After the files are moved to OneDrive, you will need to re-share them from OneDrive.
For instructions on sharing files in OneDrive, review the OneDrive file sharing article.
Download Files from Google Drive ▾
- Sign in to your Owl Apps account.
- Select the Google apps icon in the upper-right corner.
- Select Drive.
- In Google Drive, select the documents or files you want to migrate.
- Right-click the selected files and choose Download.
- Google Drive will compress the selected files into a downloadable .zip file.
- When prompted, select Save as and save the .zip file to your desktop.
Note: Depending on the number and size of files selected, Google Drive may take some time to prepare the download.
Prepare OneDrive ▾
Before moving files into OneDrive, make sure you are signed in to OneDrive on your desktop.
- If you are not already signed in to OneDrive on your desktop, follow the setup instructions here.
- After signing in to OneDrive, right-click the OneDrive icon in the bottom-right system tray.
- Select Open folder.
Move Files into OneDrive ▾
- On your desktop, open the .zip file that you downloaded from Google Drive.
- Select all of the files inside the .zip file.
- Drag the selected files into your OneDrive folder.
- The files will begin uploading and syncing to OneDrive.
- Confirm that the files finish syncing successfully. Synced files may show green check marks.
Important: After the transfer is complete and you have confirmed the files are available in OneDrive, return to Google Drive and remove or delete the migrated files as needed to ensure you are under the 5 GB Google Workspace storage quota.
Troubleshooting ▾
- If files are in Shared with Me, save a copy to your own Google Drive before downloading them.
- If the Google Drive download takes a long time, reduce the number of files selected and try downloading smaller batches.
- If the .zip file does not open, confirm the download completed successfully.
- If OneDrive is not signed in, complete OneDrive setup before dragging files into the OneDrive folder.
- If files do not sync to OneDrive, check the OneDrive sync status and confirm you are connected to the internet.
- If sharing permissions are needed, re-share the files from OneDrive after the migration is complete.
- If you need to reduce Google Workspace storage usage, confirm the migrated files are available in OneDrive before deleting them from Google Drive.
Still Need Help?
If you have questions or need further assistance migrating files from Google Drive to OneDrive, please submit a ticket for assistance.
Submit a support ticket