How to Move Files from Google Drive to OneDrive? Proven Methods

Are you looking for a solution to transfer files from Google Drive to OneDrive? If yes, then your search ends here. In this article, I am going to cover four simple ways to bulk transfer Google Drive files into OneDrive securely. So, no further ado, let’s get started.

OneDrive is the most reliable tool to store and manage your Microsoft data. It is a cloud platform that caters to both individual and enterprise users. As a part of Microsoft 365, it provides many collaboration features and helps in restoring files in OneDrive.

Google Drive is very similar to OneDrive, but it is developed by Google. It integrates with Google Workspace and offers you real-time collaboration. Many users use Google Drive for storing and managing their data. However, some of them want to move to OneDrive for several reasons.

Why Transfer Files from Google Drive to OneDrive?

Both are cloud storage services that help users manage their data. But due to certain situations, you have to move your Google Drive files. Below are those situations where you need to move your data.

• OneDrive for Business is a platform that is ideal for business. Unlike Google Drive, it provides you with more advanced collaboration features. So, if you want to move your data to your work account. It is best to use OneDrive.
• If you are working on a Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint application. OneDrive would be a great option because it is easy to integrate this cloud storage with the Microsoft program.
• You are working in a hybrid environment, where you want to move your Google Drive files to OneDrive frequently.
• When your Google Drive storage is full, you may transfer the files to OneDrive to reduce the storage limit.

There are other reasons, but you understand why you need to import Google Drive files to OneDrive. So, without wasting time, let’s see the methods that can help you move the files.

Preparations Before Transferring Google Drive Files to OneDrive

Moving your documents is not a hard job. I will properly explain the methods to you. However, before following the steps, you must do proper preparations to avoid any issues during the process. So, here is the checklist.

• If you are moving your data to OneDrive for Business. Then, you must sign in to your Microsoft 365 account. If not, then you can’t transfer the files.
• If you are bulk transferring your Google Drive data, then make sure that you have sufficient storage space. Check your current storage in OneDrive to see if you have enough space to save your data.
• Also, review your data before transferring it. Prepare a list of files that you want to move.
• Remove any old or unnecessary files to reduce clutter.
• Make sure that the files you want to move are owned by you. Also, convert the Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides to actual files.
• Ensure that you have a proper internet connection for a smooth transfer.
• Check that your OneDrive account has enough storage to export your Google Drive files.

Properly follow these steps so that you can securely link Google Drive files to OneDrive.

Copy Google Drive Files to OneDrive Using Microsoft Native Option

Fortunately, Microsoft provides a built-in import option to copy files from Google Drive to OneDrive. But this method does not transfer Google Forms, Drawings, Sites, and Maps.

1. Start by connecting your Google Drive account to OneDrive.
2. Then, tap your profile picture at the top.
3. Click on Settings, and from there choose the Import Cloud Photos and Files button.
4. Follow the instructions to get your files in the Microsoft cloud environment.

How to Move Google Drive Files to OneDrive Individually?

The simplest way to transfer your files from Google Drive is to first download the data and then upload it to OneDrive. If you have a few files that need to be imported, then follow the steps below.

1. First, log in to Google Drive from a browser.
   
2. Select a file that you want to move. Right-click the file.
3. Click on the Download button. You can also download a complete folder in ZIP format.
   
4. To upload to OneDrive, sign in to the application.
   
5. Click on the Upload button and browse your downloaded file.
6. Open or upload the file in OneDrive, and it will now be available in OneDrive as well.

From this method, you can copy selected files from Google Drive. To move the complete Drive, you can use Google Takeout.

Use Google Takeout to Transfer Bulk Google Drive Files

1. Go to the Google Takeout site and log in to your account.
2. Now, click on the “Deselect all” button.
   
3. Then scroll down, select Drive, and tap Next.
   
4. In the destination, select Add to OneDrive.
   
5. Lastly, tap on the link account and create export button.
   

This method can only transfer files that are owned by the owner. So, it can’t export files from the Shared with me folder. Also, it exports the file in multiple ZIP files, and if you have large data, then it will take hours for the transfer.

Read Also: How to Share Google Drive Account Data?

Drag Google Drive Files & Drop Them into OneDrive

It is a much easier option than the above ones. However, you must note that Google Drive only shows the link to Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Slides. Because they are not the actual files like PDF, PNG, etc. Thus, you can move only the actual files, not the links.

1. First of all, download the OneDrive and Google Drive tools for desktop.
2. In Google Drive, select the file you want to move.
3. Run OneDrive, drag the file from Google Drive, and drop it into the Microsoft cloud storage.
4. Repeat these same steps to transfer other files from Google Drive to OneDrive.

Link Google Drive to OneDrive using Microsoft Power Automate

If you want to sync your data between Google Drive and OneDrive. Then, you can use Microsoft Power Automate. A Microsoft application that offers automated workflows for repetitive tasks.

1. To start the process, log in to Google Drive.
2. Create specific folders in both Google Drive and OneDrive for syncing.
3. Now, go to the OneDrive or Outlook web version and log in.
4. On the left side, select All Microsoft Apps or Templates.
5. Click on the Power Automate option. Sign in to your OneDrive and Google Drive accounts again.
6. Give access to Power Automate to both of your accounts. Once the connection is established, press Continue.
7. Now, provide the source and destination folders.
8. From the source field, click on the folder icon. Browse the Google Drive folders that you have created.
9. In the Destination field, browse a target OneDrive folder.
10. Hit the Save or Create flow button, and your automated flow is set.

The above solutions are manual and free to use. However, they can also cause you trouble. As I have mentioned below.

Limitations of Using Manual Methods

Many people prefer manual methods because of their cost-effectiveness. However, it also causes you issues like.

• The methods are a time-consuming process when you are moving multiple files.
• Moving bulk files can be difficult, as you can manually transfer one file at a time.
• Also, there are chances of human error during the process.
• Uploading or downloading your files may take up to several days or weeks, depending on the size of your folder.
• All the manual methods move your files but do not transfer the file permissions.

These are the common drawbacks many users face when they follow the manual methods. So, many professionals prefer to use a professional tool to move their files.

Move Google Drive Files to OneDrive Professionally

Professional users who want to import Google Drive files to OneDrive. This solution would be perfect for them. So, I recommend using SysTools Google Drive to OneDrive Migration Tool, one of the best utilities to transfer documents from Google Drive to OneDrive. This software easily moves all Google Drive items like documents, PDFs, .txt, etc., to OneDrive. With this, you can easily perform bulk transfer without your file permission. To know how it works, follow the steps below.

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Steps to Import Google Drive to OneDrive

1. Download, install, and launch the software on your computer.
2. Select the Source and Destination platforms as G Suite and Office 365.
3. Select Document from the Workload Selection. Apply the Date Filter if required.
4. Apply the Date range filter options of your choice.
5. Then, enter the details for G Suite as a source from the Source screen. Click on Validate.
6. After validating, move to the Destination screen. Enter the details carefully and validate again to provide permissions. Click on the Next button.
7. At last, click on Users from the left panel of the software to fetch users. After the users are successfully added, click on Start Migration to transfer files from Google Drive to OneDrive.

Conclusion

In this detailed article, I have discussed four methods to transfer files from Google Drive to OneDrive for Business. I also provided a pre-checklist for a smooth process. Here, I have mentioned manual methods, where you can copy your Google Drive files and upload them to OneDrive. If you want, you can sync your data for your business. Lastly, professional software is a great option for a bulk transfer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How to transfer data from Google Drive to Microsoft?
Ans. To move your Google Drive data into Microsoft. You can drag and drop the files into OneDrive. Also, you can use the built-in import option to transfer your data.

Q. Do I really need to switch from Google Drive to OneDrive?
Ans. Moving from Google Drive is completely your choice. If you want a cloud storage service for your business, then OneDrive is the best. Google Drive, on the other hand, provides you with free storage. So, the choice is yours.

Q. How can I connect Google Drive to Microsoft Word?
Ans. To work with Google Drive and MS Word, upload the file to Google Drive. Then, open the uploaded file in Google Docs or Sheets to work with it.

Read Also: How to Move Google Drive Files to Another Account?