Introduction
This article provides some methods for migrating data from Google’s My Drive to Microsoft’s OneDrive.
Contents
Instructions
Using Google Takeout (Recommended)
Google will attempt to convert files (Docs, Sheets, Slides, etc.) from the native Google format to a native Microsoft format (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.). This conversion may generate problems within the downloaded file format or contents. It is recommended to keep a copy of the original file until the downloaded version's integrity is confirmed. Forms files will be downloaded but will not convert to the Microsoft Forms format. They will be converted to various other file formats to preserve the information.
If you have many files to download, this method can take significant time for Google to prepare the file for download and network bandwidth to download the files once prepared. However, file preparation does not rely on your computer resources.
If you have huge files, it is recommended to download those files individually, not via Takeout.
This is the recommended migration path when you have many files to download. However, before you delete the files in the original location, it is recommended you verify that it has been downloaded and the information preserved.
- Navigate to Google Takeout.
- Here you see a list of items and applications. We recommend only downloading your My Drive data. If you wish to download other data associated with other applications, do it in separate requests. Therefore, click Deselect All.
- Scroll down the list of applications until you see Drive. Select Drive.
- There are three configuration options that you can set. We recommend leaving all as their default options.
- Multiple formats: this defines alternative file formats that Google can convert files to.
- Advanced settings: this includes additional metadata about the files.
- All Drive data included: This removes folders from inclusion in the export.
- Scroll all the way down and click Next step.
- Next is to configure the export.
- Leave the destination as the default Send download link via email. The Add to Drive option will add it back to your My Drive, which will still require you to download it to your computer and delete it from My Drive. Dropbox and Box are not approved for university use and, unfortunately, the OneDrive option does not work with the Virginia Tech environment.
- Leave Frequency and File type as their default values.
- It is recommended to choose a file size of 10 GB.
- Click Create export.
- It can take several days for your export to finish. It all depends on the amount of data Google must process. Feel free to close the window. You will receive an email once the export is done.
- Once you receive the email, click on the link to download the file(s) to your computer. It will take you to the Manage your exports section of Google Takeout. You may be required to log in. The files will be in the chosen compressed format (.zip or .tgz).
- From there, download the files to your computer.
- It is recommended that you move the files in compressed format to your OneDrive before extracting them.
- Once extracted, it is recommended that you verify the data integrity of the files before deleting them from your My Drive.
Downloading Directly to OneDrive
It is possible to download directly to OneDrive, but it requires changing the location of your Downloads folder within your browser settings. This change will affect ALL downloads initiated from the browser. It is recommended to make a copy of the existing Downloads folder location before doing this and then, once complete, revert the setting.
Google will attempt to convert files (Docs, Sheets, Slides, etc.) from the native Google format to a native Microsoft format (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.). This conversion may generate problems within the downloaded file format or contents. It is recommended to keep a copy of the original file until the downloaded version's integrity is confirmed. If no conversion is available (i.e., Forms and Slides), Google will not provide a download option.
If you have many files to download, this method can take significant time, computer resources, and network bandwidth. If your computer powers down, goes to sleep, or hibernates during the process, data may be lost, incorrectly downloaded, or not downloaded at all.
As a result of the above, this is not a recommended migration path unless you only have a few files to download. If you decide to continue, it is highly recommended to download the files in small batches and confirm the integrity of each file before continuing.
- Open your browser's settings.
- Find where you can change the location of the Downloads folder. For Edge and Chrome, go to the Downloads section in the Settings navigation.
- Click Change.
- Navigate to the OneDrive folder. This assumes that you have the OneDrive app installed on your computer. These instructions, Understanding the OneDrive Sync Client, may help set up OneDrive on your computer.
- Click Select Folder.
- Log into Google Drive.
- Click My Drive.
- Click the ellipsis next to each file you wish to download.
- Click Download.
OR
- Select multiple files.
- Click the Download icon. If any selected files cannot be downloaded due to no conversion available, it will be ignored. This will create a .zip file.
- Go into your Downloads folder and extract the .zip file.
Downloading to Your Computer and then Uploading to OneDrive
Consider the recommendations and follow the instructions for the section, Downloading Directly to OneDrive. Except, do not change the location of your Downloads folder. All files will be downloaded to your local computer's default Downloads folder. From there, you can move the files from your Downloads folder to your OneDrive folder. This assumes that you have the OneDrive app installed on your computer. These instructions, Understanding the OneDrive Sync Client, may help set up OneDrive on your computer.