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OneDrive File Issues

Fix OneNote Sync Error 0xE0001474 When Moving Sections

Maira MehtabMaira Mehtab Sep 20, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user encountered sync error 0xE0001474 when attempting to move a large OneNote section between OneDrive notebooks and wants to know the safest method for transferring sections.

Product
Microsoft OneNote
Device & OS
not provided
Scenario
Transferring a large section of notes from one OneDrive-hosted notebook to another using the Move function.
Observed behavior
The Move operation failed to synchronize immediately, triggering error code 0xE0001474, though the sync process eventually completed without data loss.
Before you start

Ensure you have a stable internet connection and manually back up any unsynced notes to a local document or text file before attempting to move or copy large sections.

Solution 1Recommended

Use "Copy and Delete" Instead of "Move"

The safest method to transfer OneNote sections without triggering sync errors or risking permanent data loss.

Using the direct 'Move' feature for large sections in OneNote can cause synchronization timeouts or data loss, resulting in error 0xE0001474. The industry best practice is to copy the section first and only delete the original after confirming the sync is fully complete in the new location.

1
Right-click the section

In your OneNote application, right-click the tab of the section you want to transfer.

2
Select Move or Copy

Click 'Move or Copy...' from the context menu that appears.

3
Copy to destination

Select the destination notebook from the list and click the 'Copy' button. Do not click 'Move'.

4
Verify synchronization

Open the destination notebook and wait for OneNote to finish syncing with OneDrive. Confirm that all pages and attachments are present.

5
Delete the original

Once the copy is successfully synced, return to the original notebook, right-click the original section, and select 'Delete'.

Data Safety: By copying instead of moving, you ensure that the original data remains intact if the network drops or OneDrive servers experience a timeout during the transfer.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does OneNote show sync error 0xE0001474?

This error generally occurs when OneNote struggles to synchronize a large notebook section due to network interruptions, OneDrive server timeouts, or cache conflicts during a 'Move' operation.

Is it safe to move sections between OneNote notebooks?

It is generally not recommended to use the 'Move' function for large sections. If a sync fails during a move, you risk losing data. Always use 'Copy' first, wait for the sync to complete, and then delete the original section.

Where do my notes go if a move fails in OneNote?

If a move operation is interrupted or fails to sync to OneDrive, the notes are often temporarily preserved in the 'Misplaced Sections' folder located at the bottom of your notebook list.

Can I recover lost OneNote sections after a failed sync?

Yes, you can check the 'Deleted Notes' under the View tab, inspect the Misplaced Sections folder, or log into OneDrive on the web to restore a previous version from your file backup history.