Introduction
Complete Google Drive to OneDrive Migration
Cloudiway provides enterprise-grade migration from Google Drive to OneDrive for Business, automatically converting Google formats and preserving permissions.
Migrating from Google Workspace to Microsoft 365 is a common enterprise initiative. One of the most critical components is transferring files from Google Drive to OneDrive while maintaining folder structures, permissions, and converting Google-native file formats.
This guide walks you through the complete process to transfer files from Google Drive to OneDrive, covering both manual approaches and automated solutions. Refer to our User Guide for detailed instructions.
Why Migrate to OneDrive
Organizations choose to migrate from Google Drive to OneDrive for several compelling reasons:
Microsoft 365 Ecosystem
Seamless integration with Office apps, Teams, and SharePoint for unified productivity.
Enterprise Security
Advanced compliance, eDiscovery, retention policies, and Microsoft Defender integration.
Desktop Sync
Known Folder Move automatically backs up Desktop, Documents, and Pictures to the cloud.
Real-time Co-authoring
Collaborate on Office documents with full feature support and real-time presence.
Before You Start
Prepare for a successful migration by completing these prerequisites:
Prerequisites Checklist
- Microsoft 365 Licenses: Ensure all users have licenses with OneDrive enabled
- Storage Quotas: Verify OneDrive limits can accommodate migrated data plus growth
- Admin Permissions: Obtain Google Workspace Super Admin and Microsoft 365 Global Admin access
- Content Inventory: Document total data volume, user count, and identify critical content
Taking time to prepare properly will significantly reduce issues during migration and ensure a smoother transition. Our OneDrive migration tool handles the complex file transfers automatically.
Migration Options
There are several approaches to migrate files from Google Drive to OneDrive:
Cloudiway
Automated enterprise migration with full data fidelity
- Fully automated process
- Preserves all permissions
- Converts Google formats
- Delta sync for zero downtime
Google Takeout
Official Google export tool
- No direct import to OneDrive
- Manual upload required
- No permission handling
- Large files split into parts
Download/Upload
Traditional manual approach
- Time-consuming for large data
- No permission transfer
- Error-prone process
- Not scalable for enterprise
Migrate with Cloudiway
Cloudiway automates the entire migration process with enterprise-grade reliability:
Connect Google Workspace
Authorize Cloudiway to access your Google Workspace domain using OAuth. Admin consent grants access to all user drives.
Connect Microsoft 365
Authorize access to your Microsoft 365 tenant. Cloudiway uses Microsoft Graph API to write files to OneDrive.
Map Users
Match Google Workspace users to Microsoft 365 accounts. Auto-matching by email or manual mapping available.
Configure Settings
Set conversion options for Google formats, permission handling, and conflict resolution rules.
Run Migration
Start the migration and monitor progress. Delta sync captures changes until cutover.
Key Features
Automatic format conversion (Google Docs to Word, Sheets to Excel, Slides to PowerPoint), permission mapping, delta synchronization, and parallel processing for faster enterprise-scale migrations.
What Gets Migrated
Cloudiway ensures complete migration of your Google Drive content. For team files, see our Google Shared Drives Migration Tool. We also support Google Sites to SharePoint migration. Our Google Drive Migration Tool and OneDrive Migration Tool work seamlessly together:
My Drive Files
- All personal files and folders
- Google Docs to Word
- Google Sheets to Excel
- Google Slides to PowerPoint
Shared Drives
- Team Drive content
- Folder structure preserved
- Team membership mapped
- Permissions preserved
Sharing & Permissions
- User access mapped
- Shared links handled
- Security preserved
- External sharing rules
Metadata & History
- File dates preserved
- Version history
- Starred files
- File descriptions
Best Practices
Follow these recommendations for a successful migration:
Communicate Early
Notify users about the migration timeline and what to expect. Provide training on OneDrive before migration begins.
Clean Up First
Have users delete unnecessary files before migration to reduce data volume and storage costs in OneDrive.
Run Pilot Migration
Start with a small group of test users to validate settings and identify any issues before full rollout.
Migrate in Waves
Group users by department or location and migrate in phases to manage support load and address issues progressively.
Use Delta Sync
Leverage delta synchronization to capture changes during migration and minimize the cutover window.
Verify Critical Files
After migration, have users verify important documents, especially converted Google formats, for formatting integrity.
Ready to Migrate Google Drive to OneDrive?
Contact our migration experts to plan your Google Drive to OneDrive migration. Check our pricing or request consulting services. Our platform is ISO 27001 certified. See our case studies for real examples.
For comprehensive migrations, you can Migrate Google Workspace to Microsoft 365 including all workloads from a single platform.
Cloudiway supports various migration scenarios including SharePoint migration and Box migration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I migrate Google Drive files to OneDrive without losing data?
Yes, Cloudiway migrates all Google Drive files to OneDrive with complete preservation of folder structure, sharing permissions, and metadata. Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides are automatically converted to Microsoft Office formats (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) during migration.
How long does it take to migrate from Google Drive to OneDrive?
Migration time depends on data volume and number of files. Cloudiway processes multiple files in parallel for optimal speed. A typical migration of 100GB per user can complete in 8-12 hours. You can monitor progress in real-time through the Cloudiway dashboard.
Are Google Docs converted to Microsoft Office format?
Yes, Cloudiway automatically converts Google Docs to Word (.docx), Google Sheets to Excel (.xlsx), and Google Slides to PowerPoint (.pptx). The conversion preserves formatting, formulas, and embedded content. You can also choose to keep original Google formats if needed.
What happens to shared files and permissions during migration?
Cloudiway preserves sharing settings during migration. Files shared with specific users are mapped to the corresponding Microsoft 365 users. Shared links can be recreated in OneDrive, though new links will be generated. You can customize permission mapping rules.
Can I migrate Google Shared Drives to OneDrive?
Yes, Cloudiway supports migrating Google Shared Drives (formerly Team Drives) to OneDrive for Business or SharePoint Online document libraries. The folder structure and permissions are preserved, with team members automatically mapped to Microsoft 365 users.
