How to Move Folders in SharePoint Without Losing Metadata or Permissions

Moving folders in SharePoint can seem tricky, especially if you want to keep permissions, metadata, and version history intact. In this guide, I’ll show how to move folders in SharePoint using the most reliable methods, so you can complete the migration quickly and without data loss. 

Today, we’ll cover:

• Why Migrate Folders/Files in SharePoint?
• How to Move Folders in SharePoint?
  • Modern SharePoint Experience
    • Solution #1. Move Folders Using SharePoint’s “Move To” Option
    • Solution #2. Move Folders via Drag-and-Drop
    • Solution #3. Move Folders with OneDrive Sync
    • Solution #4. Use PowerShell for Bulk Moves
    • Solution #5. Move Folders via Migration Tool
  • Classic SharePoint Experience
    • Solution #1. Explorer View
    • Solution #2. OneDrive Sync for Classic Libraries
• How to Move Folders in SharePoint Smoothly – Best Practices
• Author’s Verdict
• People Also Ask

Why Migrate Folders/Files in SharePoint?

Migrating folders/files in SharePoint is the most common task in organisations across the world due to:

• Restructure content to match updated workflows or projects.
• Improve navigation so team members can find files easily.
• Consolidate duplicate or scattered folders into one location.
• Prepare content for site or SharePoint tenant to tenant migration.
• Maintain proper permissions for sensitive data.
• Optimise performance by keeping libraries organised.

You’ve probably have your own reasons, but the methods are the same, which I’ll share next.  

How to Move Folders in SharePoint?

The method of transferring folders depends on your SharePoint you are using, i.e. Modern or Classic. Therefore, I divided the solutions accordingly, so you can easily opt for any without confusion and wasting time. Let’s have a quick look at the same:

#Modern SharePoint Experience

Solution #1. Move Folders Using SharePoint’s “Move To” Option

The Move To feature is the simplest way to move folders within the same site or to another site collection.

For the same, the steps are as follows:

1. Open Document Library.
2. Select the folder to move.
3. Click Move to on the command bar.
4. In the panel, choose the destination library or site.
5. Click Move here.

This method retains version history only if you’re moving within the same site collection. But if you are migrating to another site or tenant, this will preserve metadata, permissions, and history.

Solution #2. How to Move Folders in SharePoint Via Drag-and-Drop

If you need to move a few folders quickly within the same library, simply:

1. Open both source and destination libraries in separate browser tabs.
2. Switch both to Modern View.
3. Drag the folder from one tab and drop it into the other tab’s document library.

This approach works best for smaller moves and within the same site. However, for bulk migration, opt for the next solution.

Solution #3. Move Folders with OneDrive Sync

For larger moves or when working offline, I recommend using OneDrive Sync:

1. In the library, click Sync to connect it to your PC using OneDrive.
2. Repeat for the destination library.
3. On your computer, open the synced folders in File Explorer.
4. Move folders between them.
5. OneDrive automatically syncs changes back to SharePoint.

This is best when moving a large number of files or when you want to use familiar File Explorer operations.

Solution #4. Use PowerShell for Bulk Moves

How to move folders in SharePoint for enterprise-level migrations? PowerShell with PnP or SharePoint Online Management Shell will be your go-to. This method is perfect when you have hundreds of folders to move.

# Connect to SharePoint Online
Connect-PnPOnline -Url https://mohittenant.sharepoint.com/sites/mohitsite -UseWebLogin  
# Move a folder
Move-PnPFolder -Folder "Shared Documents/OldFolder" -TargetFolder "Shared Documents/NewFolder"

PowerShell is quite technical to handle for naive users, and if not run the commands accurately, then you have to face Connect-SPOService : No Valid OAuth 2.0 Authentication Session Exists or data loss issues. 

So, be careful while using this. Otherwise, it is suggested to opt for an automated solution for bulk migration, which doesn’t need any technical knowledge.

Solution #5. Move Folders via Migration Tool

When folder moves involve large volumes of data, cross-tenant migrations, or the preservation of metadata and permissions, using SysTools SharePoint Migrator saves time and reduces errors.

Download Now Purchase Now

This is the only solution available online that supports the delta migration option to migrate only new data, after the initial transition. If you don’t believe what I’m saying, just try it once and see for yourself. It offers a self-explanatory interface, which you can see for free by clicking on the download button below:

Why I recommend this tool:

• Supports moving folders across tenants or site collections.
• Not only folders, but it can migrate SharePoint list to another site or tenant also.
• Retains metadata, hierarchy, and permissions.
• Offers advanced filtering and reporting for large projects.

When you have a full version of this, download it, install it, and follow the steps below to move folders simultaneously.

How to Move Folders in SharePoint – Steps

• Step 1. Open the software, and mark the Microsoft 365 options, as shown in the screenshot.

• Step 2. Afterwards, scroll down and select the Document Library option, in which files/folders are stored.

• Step 3. Leverage the Date Filter feature to move only the desired data.

• Step 4. Now, provide Microsoft 365 Admin credentials for both source & target. Validate them, and hit Next.

• Step 5. Map source users via Fetch Users, Import Users or Download Template.

• Step 6. Finally, press the Start Migration button to proceed migration. 

See, you don’t need any technical knowledge or enough time to complete the transition with this solution. Additionally, after the migration, it generates a summary and detailed report to track errors. 

#Classic SharePoint Experience

How to move folders in SharePoint in classic experience? For those who still rely on classic experience, or SharePoint On-premise will go through these methods, i.e. 

Solution #1. Explorer View

1. Open the SharePoint site and navigate to the Classic Document Library.
2. On the ribbon, click the Library tab.
3. Click Open with Explorer.
4. In File Explorer, open another window for your destination library by repeating steps 1-4.
5. Arrange the two File Explorer windows side by side.
6. Drag the folder from the source library window to the destination library window.

Solution #2. OneDrive Sync for Classic Libraries

1. Open the Classic Document Library in SharePoint.
2. On the command bar or ribbon, click Sync.
3. Sign in to OneDrive with your Microsoft 365 credentials if prompted.
4. Wait for the library to sync to File Explorer.
5. Repeat the sync process for your destination library.
6. In File Explorer, open the synced folders for both source and destination.
7. Drag the folder from the source to the destination synced folder.
8. Allow OneDrive to upload changes, and check the OneDrive icon for sync completion.

Note: Remember that version history and some metadata will not transfer after data is synced.

Not only these, but you can also use the specified migration software and the same PowerShell cmdlets in the classic experience.

How to Move Folders in SharePoint Smoothly – Best Practices

• Ensure you have at least Edit or Full Control rights. Use a PowerShell script to get SharePoint site permissions if not have them.
• Try moving a small folder first to confirm the method works as expected.
• Stay within the same site collection or use migration tools to keep version history intact.
• Perform bulk or tenant-to-tenant moves during off-peak hours to reduce performance impact.
• Export or backup SharePoint Online to local storage to avoid accidental loss.

Author’s Verdict

Moving folders in SharePoint doesn’t have to be complicated if you choose the right method for your environment. For the same, I shared the most reliable approaches with step-by-step instructions for both Modern and Classic experiences.

Now, you clearly know how to move folders in SharePoint Online or on-premises with appropriate solutions. Opt for any wisely, which suits your needs best. 

People Also Ask

Q1. Can I move folders between different SharePoint sites?
Yes, but only if you use OneDrive Sync, PnP PowerShell, or a migration tool. Otherwise, the version history will not be intact.

Q2. Does moving a folder change its permissions?
No, the folder inherits permissions from the destination library or site. 

Q3. Can I move folders in Classic SharePoint?
Yes, you can use Explorer View or OneDrive Sync, but version history and some metadata will not transfer. So, you have to opt for a third-party solution for that. 

Q4. Will “Move To” in Modern SharePoint keep version history?
Yes, but only if the source and destination are in the same site collection.

Q5. How to move folders in SharePoint using SPMT?
Microsoft’s SPMT does not support Classic-to-Classic moves in SharePoint Online. It only helps in migrating data from on-premises to online.