Four Ways to Migrate Files from Google Drive to OneDrive in 2024
If you’re considering switching from Google to Microsoft, you’re probably looking for a fast and secure way to migrate your Google Drive files to OneDrive. While moving from one service to another might seem complex, it doesn’t have to be.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through four methods for transferring Google Drive files to OneDrive in 2024.
The easy way to move Google Drive data to Microsoft 365 / OneDrive is by using VaultMe, a secure cloud file transfer tool that automatically copies files between Google Drive and OneDrive.
Unlike the manual methods described below, VaultMe offers a fast, accurate, and straightforward solution. It preserves your Google Drive’s folder structure when transferring content to OneDrive, eliminating any need for manual work. VaultMe can seamlessly migrate your files to either OneDrive for Business or a personal OneDrive account.
But if you are willing to roll up your sleeves and do some manual work, read on! All manual methods have major disadvantages, but depending on your goals, they may still work for you.
- 4 ways to migrate Google Drive to OneDrive
- Option 1. Copy your Google Drive files to OneDrive manually
- Option 2. Export your Google Drive files to OneDrive directly using Google Takeout
- Option 3. Move your files from Google Drive to OneDrive using Google Drive and OneDrive's desktop apps
- Option 4. Use VaultMe to copy your documents from Google Drive to OneDrive automatically [recommended]
- How VaultMe compares to manual methods
- Frequently asked questions about Google Drive to OneDrive migration
- Conclusion
- Related articles
4 ways to migrate Google Drive to OneDrive
Option 1. Copy your Google Drive files to OneDrive manually
This option involves downloading the files to your hard drive and uploading them to OneDrive.
To migrate Google Drive to OneDrive manually:
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Download the files from Google Drive to your computer. You can do that either by selecting them and clicking the "Download" button or by using Google Takeout.
If you decide to use Google Takeout, please note that it will not download files and folders that are shared with you. To save the documents that other people have shared with you, select and download them manually from the "Shared with me" section of your Drive.
- Upload the files to your OneDrive.
The obvious drawback of this method is that you must handle your owned and shared files separately.
But there are other important things that you should also take into account before you begin:
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Depending on the size of your Google Drive account, the download and upload process may take up to several days or even weeks.
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You will need to have enough storage space on your hard drive for a copy of your Google Drive account.
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Your computer will have to stay powered on during the whole download and upload process. Any interruptions to the internet connection and power supply can cause the process to fail.
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When you download multiple files (either manually or using Google Takeout), Google puts them in archives. To recreate the structure of your Google Drive in OneDrive, you will have to unzip the archives on your computer and re-organize the files before you upload them to OneDrive.
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If you have a large account (over 10 GB) and decide to use Google Takeout, your archive will be split into several parts by default. Some of them may fail to generate properly and the archive will have to be requested again.
Option 2. Export your Google Drive files to OneDrive directly using Google Takeout
Using this option, you will be able to put a zipped archive of your Google Drive into OneDrive automatically.
To export Google Drive files to OneDrive:
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Go to Google Takeout.
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Select "Drive" and click "Next step."
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In the "Delivery method" drop-down menu select "Add to OneDrive."
- Select the frequency ("Export once") and the export file type and size. Then click "Create export."
This method has some major drawbacks, including the following:
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Google Takeout will not transfer the files and folders that are shared with you. To copy shared documents, select and download them manually from the "Shared with me" folder of your Drive. Then, upload them to OneDrive.
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The migration process may take several days, depending on the size of your export. Larger accounts (10+ GB) will be split into several archives by default.
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Google Takeout will export one or several archives instead of individual files and folders. To use your documents in OneDrive, you must first download, unzip, and re-organize them.
Option 3. Move your files from Google Drive to OneDrive using Google Drive and OneDrive's desktop apps
This method will work only if you use Google Drive to store files and folders that were not created in Google Drive's online services (such as Google Docs, Google Sheets, etc.). If you mainly store documents of other types (such as images, PDFs, music and video files, etc.), you can give this option a go.
But if you use Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Slides frequently and wish to copy these documents to OneDrive, we suggest that you choose a different method.
And here's why: the Google Drive app does not save these files to your hard drive. Instead, it displays links that will not be useful in OneDrive after you migrate them.
Here's how you can copy the files using the apps:
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Install Google Drive and OneDrive desktop apps. Here are the links you can use to download them: Google Drive app, OneDrive app.
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Connect your accounts.
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Drag and drop files and folders from Google Drive to OneDrive.
Just like all other manual methods, this option is not ideal for the following reasons:
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Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides, and other documents created online are represented in your Google Drive desktop app as links and not the actual files. If those links are dragged to a different location, they will still be pointing to your Google Drive account.
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The Google Drive app will not display the files and folders that are shared with you. You will not be able to drag and drop them. To save these documents, download them from the "Shared with me" section of your Drive in a browser and then upload them to your OneDrive account.
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The desktop apps for cloud drives are not optimized for working with large volumes of files. If you have a large account (over 10 GB and/or over 10,000 files), the process may fail to complete.
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It may take a while for the drives to sync (possibly a week or more) because the apps will be downloading the documents from one online account and uploading them to the other using your hard drive and broadband connection.
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You'll need to have enough storage space on your hard drive for a temporary copy of your Google Drive account. Remember that you will also have to account for copies of "Shared with me" content that does not take storage space in your Google Drive account but will need it in OneDrive.
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You'll also need to have stable internet access and keep your computer turned on during the copying process. The process may slow down the work of your machine and increase power consumption.
Option 4. Use VaultMe to copy your documents from Google Drive to OneDrive automatically [recommended]
Unlike all manual options outlined above, VaultMe is very easy to use and provides accurate results. This is the easy way of transferring data from Google Drive and OneDrive.
VaultMe does not have the limitations of the manual methods:
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It transfers both owned by you and shared with you documents from Google Drive to OneDrive and is fully automated
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It can migrate Google Shared drives to OneDrive
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It creates a precise copy of the Google Drive account within OneDrive and preserves the folder structure. All your Google files will stay organized in Microsoft 365
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It works online, so you can close the browser and even turn off your computer while the migration is running
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It preserves the formatting of files created in native Google documents when converting them to Microsoft's native formats
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It supports personal and business accounts (Google Workspace / G Suite, OneDrive for Business / Microsoft 365 / Office 365)
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It generates a detailed report allowing you to verify the results of your Google Drive to OneDrive migration
To transfer Google Drive to OneDrive without downloading:
- Navigate to the VaultMe app.
- Select Google as your source service provider.
- Select Microsoft 365 as your destination service provider.
- Connect your accounts and let the app scan them.
- Select what types of content you want to copy (emails, "Owned by me" files, "Shared with me" files, shared drives, Contacts, Calendars).
- Start your migration.
After the migration begins, you can close your browser. You’ll receive an email notification in your Microsoft 365 account once the process is complete.
VaultMe will not merge or sync your Google Drive and OneDrive accounts and will not remove any content from Google Drive. It will simply copy documents from Google Drive to OneDrive while preserving the folder structure. Any changes made in Google Drive after the migration will not be copied to OneDrive.
How VaultMe compares to manual methods
| Features | VaultMe | Manual download and upload | Direct Google Takeout export to OneDrive | Drag & Drop method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transfer of files from "My Drive" | Automatic | Manual | Automatic | Manual |
| Transfer of files from "Shared with me" and "Shared drives" | Automatic | Manual | Not supported | Not supported |
| Doesn't need hard drive storage |  |
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| Works online | |
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| Preserves folder structure | |
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| Copies Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides | |
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| Is recommended for large accounts (10+ GB and/or 10 000+ items) | |
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| Generates a detailed migration report | |
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| Free option | |
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Frequently asked questions about Google Drive to OneDrive migration
Is there a built-in tool to transfer files from Google Drive to OneDrive / Microsoft 365?
There isn't an official built-in tool, but you can achieve this by using third-party migration tools like VaultMe or manual methods.
Can you migrate Google Drive to OneDrive?
Yes. To migrate Google Drive files to OneDrive automatically, connect your two accounts to VaultMe, select what types of items you want to migrate, and review the totals. To migrate Google Drive files manually, extract the files using Google Takeout and upload them to OneDrive.
Can I retain the folder structure during the Google Drive to OneDrive migration?
VaultMe allows you to preserve the folder structure during the transfer. Manual methods can retain the folder structure of the account, but they are less reliable and may cause data loss.
Can I pause the migration process?
This depends on the method or tool used. VaultMe allows you to pause the migration, while manual methods do not offer such flexibility.
Can I sync or connect Google Drive with OneDrive?
Google Drive and OneDrive are separate cloud storage services provided by Google and Microsoft, respectively. Although they don’t offer a built-in sync feature, you can transfer files between them manually or with third-party tools like VaultMe. VaultMe simplifies the transfer process, preserving folder structures and metadata.
Can I merge Google Drive and OneDrive?
Google Drive and OneDrive cannot be merged. However, you can transfer data from Google Drive to OneDrive using the methods explained in this article.
What is the easiest way to transfer files from Google Drive to Microsoft 365 / OneDrive?
The easiest way to transfer files from Google Drive to OneDrive is to use a third-party migration tool like VaultMe that is specifically designed for this purpose. The automated process is the best way to migrate all Google Drive files to OneDrive as it involves no manual download and re-upload.
Conclusion
The choice of the migration method depends on several factors. They include the size of your Google Drive account, the type of files that you need to copy, your expectations of the speed and the accuracy of the results, and others.
Manual methods of moving Google Drive to OneDrive may work well for small accounts. But when large volumes of data need to be transferred from Google Drive to OneDrive, manual options have considerable limitations.
To ensure a quick and precise result, use VaultMe to copy files from GDrive to OneDrive automatically. Unlike all manual options, it is designed to transfer data from Google Drive to OneDrive (both owned and shared files) and is easy to use. Although this option is not free, it is inexpensive and it definitely pays off.
Related articles
Need to change your Gmail address? Refer to this detailed guide: How to Change a Gmail Address.
Wondering how you can check how much storage your shared files are taking? This article might be helpful: How to Check the Size of the "Shared with me" folder in Google Drive.
Want to transfer your Google Drive content to another account? This post covers everything you need to know: How to Transfer Your Google Drive to a Different Account.
Looking for an email migration tool? Learn about your options: How to Choose an Email Migration Tool.
Want to transfer your company's data to Microsoft 365? This guide provides step-by-step instructions: How to Migrate to Microsoft 365.