Microsoft documents two ways to move files between OneDrive for work or school accounts. Copy to and Move to work in the browser for a few files. Sync and File Explorer suit many files or folders. Your Microsoft 365 admin must grant access first. Microsoft does not describe permissions or sharing links after a copy.
Team changes put files in the wrong OneDrive account. Microsoft documents browser options and a sync option for this task.
Facts follow the Microsoft Support pages Copy files from another person's work or school OneDrive and Move files and folders between OneDrive and SharePoint. Neither page describes a migration between two tenants.
What Access do You Need First?
Your Microsoft 365 admin must give you access. You then receive a link that opens the account in your browser. Microsoft states that you work with these files as you work with files on a SharePoint team site.
How to Copy a Few Files in the Browser?
- Open the other OneDrive with the link.
- Select the files and select Copy to.
- Choose your own OneDrive or a SharePoint team site as the destination.
Download saves the files to your computer instead. Microsoft suggests a browser favorite when you need the location again.
How to Move Files With Move to?
- Select the files or folders and select Move to.
- Choose the destination. Sites appear under Quick Access.
- Select Move here.
Microsoft states that you can even move files from someone else's OneDrive to your own. Microsoft says a missing Move to button points to classic OneDrive for work or school or to an on-premises server.
How to Transfer Many Files or Folders?
Microsoft recommends sync over browser copying for many items or several folders. Open the other OneDrive with the link and select Sync. Their OneDrive then appears in File Explorer under your organization name. Drag files from there into your own OneDrive or into SharePoint sites.
| Task | Microsoft option |
|---|---|
| A few files | Copy to or Download in the browser |
| Many files or folders | Sync and drag in File Explorer or Finder |
| Move instead of copy | Move to in the browser or drag in a synced location |
Which Warnings does Microsoft Give?
- Properties. Only column properties that exist in the new location remain. Data in a Priority column is lost in a library without that column.
- Versions. Moves to a library with a lower version limit trigger a warning about lost versions. You can move anyway.
- Cross-site moves. When the dialog shows no other sites your organization does not allow cross-site moves. SharePoint admins can enable them through the Allow or prevent custom script setting.
What does Microsoft Not Say?
Microsoft gives no file size limits or file type limits on the copy page. That page does not say whether Copy to retains permissions or version history. Its move page never mentions sharing links or permissions after a move.
Neither page describes a tenant to tenant migration. Related reading: SharePoint Online migration checklist and Google Workspace to Microsoft 365 migration.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do You Move Files Between OneDrive for Business Accounts?
Get access from your admin and open the other OneDrive. Use Copy to or Move to for a few files and Sync with File Explorer for many.
Do You Need Admin Access?
Yes. Microsoft states that your Microsoft 365 admin must give you access first.
Does Copy Retain Permissions?
Microsoft does not say. Permissions and version history go unmentioned on the copy page.
Why is Move to Missing?
Microsoft says it points to classic OneDrive for work or school or to an on-premises server.
Is There a File Size Limit?
Neither page states one.
Key Takeaways
- Admin access comes first.
- Copy to and Move to suit a few files in the browser.
- Sync and File Explorer suit many files and folders.
- Properties and versions can drop at the new location.
- Microsoft gives no tenant migration steps on these pages.
Sources and References
Facts follow Microsoft Support.
- Copy files from another person's work or school OneDrive (Microsoft Support) support.microsoft.com
- Move files and folders between OneDrive and SharePoint (Microsoft Support) support.microsoft.com