Migrate Google Drive to Microsoft 365

Google Shared Drives to Microsoft 365#

Moving Google Shared Drives to Microsoft 365 involves either using Microsoft’s native migration tools (Migration Manager) or third-party solutions like ShareGate, or Cloudiway. The process carefully migrates files, structure, and (sometimes) permissions from Google Shared Drives into SharePoint Online or OneDrive for Business.

Getting Ready: Requirements & Prerequisites#

• Admin access to Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 is required for an organization-level migration.
• Clean up Google Shared Drives: Remove unnecessary files and clarify ownership before starting.
• Decide the target: SharePoint site (the most common), OneDrive, or Teams.
• If intending to preserve advanced sharing and metadata, double-check tool capabilities.

Methods for Migration: Native & Third-Party Tools#

You’ve got two main approaches:

• Microsoft Migration Manager: Free, built-in, solid for many scenarios. Handles files, folders, and basic metadata, although not every Drive setting or permission.
• Third-Party Tools: Tools like ShareGate, CloudFuze, and Cloudiway offer more bells and whistles, often including more detailed mapping, reporting, and sometimes delta (incremental) migration.

Step-by-Step: Using Microsoft Migration Manager#

Let’s keep this simple.

1. Install the migration app from the Microsoft 365 Admin Center into your Google Workspace environment.
2. Connect your Google account and authorize access.
3. Select and scan the Shared Drives you want to migrate. Scanning will flag issues before anything moves.
4. Copy to migration queue: When scans are “Ready to Migrate,” move them to the list of drives to be migrated.
5. Map users and permissions: Microsoft will let you map Google accounts to Microsoft 365 identities. Adjust permissions mapping as needed.
6. Review target destinations: Pick or prep the SharePoint sites or OneDrive libraries where content will land.
7. Start migration and monitor: Launch! Monitor progress and fix errors as they come up.
8. Validate the results: Check SharePoint or OneDrive for missing, skipped, or misplaced content.

What to Watch For: Tips & Limitations#

• Not all Google file types (e.g., Drawings, Forms) convert cleanly; some may become PDFs.
• Large migrations can take days or weeks, plan a blackout window if needed.
• Permissions, comments, and version history can be complex, test with a small pilot first.
• Metadata mapping is often limited, except for some manual correction.

Frequently Asked Questions#