Move files from OneDrive to OneDrive for Business

If you have local access to your OneDrive files, you can move files to OneDrive for Business simply by uploading them in a web browser. However, for efficiency, we recommend using the new OneDrive sync client. The table below summarizes the tasks and considerations related to moving files to OneDrive for Business.

• Sync OneDrive for Business to your computer - This gives you a connection to OneDrive for Business on your local computer.

• Move your OneDrive files - All files you place in your synced OneDrive for Business folder automatically upload to the cloud whenever you're online.

• Move a OneNote notebook to OneDrive - You’ll need to use different steps to move your OneNote notebooks.

• Share files in OneDrive for Business - You may have shared files with other people in OneDrive. When you move these files to OneDrive for Business, these are recognized as new files. Therefore, you may want to share some of these files again.

Sync OneDrive for Business to your computer

When you sync your files with the OneDrive desktop app, you can move your OneDrive files around just like other files on your computer. It’s easier and quicker, because you aren’t dependent on a network. Note the following important details about using the OneDrive desktop app for this task:

• You can’t use the OneDrive desktop app to move OneNote notebooks. For information on moving OneNote notebooks, see Move OneNote notebooks to OneDrive for Business.

• If you want to move more than 300,000 items to OneDrive for Business, you won’t be able to use the OneDrive desktop app to move your files. For more information and guidance, see I want to move more than 300,000 items to OneDrive for Business.

Follow the steps below to set up your sync connection with OneDrive for Business. If you've already set this up, you can skip to the next section.

1. Sign in to Office 365.

2. Select the white or blue OneDrive cloud icon in the Windows taskbar notification area.

   

3. In the activity center, select More > Settings.

   

   (You might need to click the Show hidden icons arrow next to the notification area to see the OneDrive icon. If the icon doesn't appear in the notification area, OneDrive might not be running. Click Start, type OneDrive in the search box, and then click OneDrive in the search results.)

4. In Settings, select Account, and then select Add an account.

   

5. When OneDrive Setup starts, enter your new account, and then select Sign in.

   

Move OneDrive files to your synced OneDrive for Business folder

To move your OneDrive files to OneDrive for Business, drag them from your synced OneDrive folder to your synced OneDrive for Business folder.

1. In File Explorer, open your synced OneDrive folder.

   By default, your synced OneDrive folder is located in c:\users\username\OneDrive. It should also appear under your favorites.

   

2. Drag the files you want to your synced OneDrive for Businessfolder.

   Important: If you’re moving a large number of files, for best results, we strongly recommend that you move files in batches of no more than 100 files each.

Once you’ve moved files to the synced library folder, they’re automatically uploaded to OneDrive for Business on Office 365. For information about the various icons related to a file's status, refer to What do the OneDrive icons mean?

Notes about moving files from OneDrive to OneDrive for Business

Note the following details about moving files from OneDrive to OneDrive for Business:

• Files you move from OneDrive to OneDrive for Business are essentially recognized as new files, and as a result, these files don’t retain metadata details such as Modified and Modified By.

• OneDrive for Business restricts certain file types. For more information, refer to Types of files that cannot be added to a list or library.

Share files in OneDrive for Business

If you shared files in OneDrive, you'll need to share these files again in OneDrive for Business after you move them. Also, once you share the files you move into OneDrive for Business, we recommend that you delete the original files from OneDrive. This way, people won’t be able to refer to out-of-date copies of files you’d shared with them earlier.

I want to move more than 300,000 items to OneDrive for Business

If you want to move more than 300,000 items to OneDrive for Business, we recommend the following steps:

1. Move as many items as possible using the OneDrive desktop app as described in this article.

   Upload files in batches of no more than 100 items at a time.

   Note: Items consist of files and folders.

2. When you start to approach the 300,000 mark, Stop syncing with the OneDrive for Business app.

3. Upload all remaining files to OneDrive for Business in a web browser using the Upload command.

   Note: If you are concerned about file storage space, you might want to enable Files On-Demand. For more information, see Learn about OneDrive Files On-Demand.