File Sharing Problems

How to Fix SharePoint Quick Access Error When Copying or Moving Files

Muhammad Talha Oct 15, 2026 868 views

Question details

Users are unable to copy or move files between SharePoint sites because the sites fail to pin to Quick Access, even when the user holds Full Control permissions.

How to Fix SharePoint Quick Access Error When Copying or Moving Files

Product: Microsoft SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to manage and transfer files between different SharePoint sites as an administrator.
Observed behavior: The sites cannot be pinned to the Quick Access bar, which causes the subsequent file copy or move operations to fail.

Before you start

Ensure you have administrator access to the Microsoft 365 admin center so you can temporarily assign or manage user licenses.

Solution 1Recommended

Assign a Microsoft 365 License with OneDrive

Temporarily add a Microsoft 365 license that includes OneDrive to the account performing the transfer, which resolves the Quick Access pinning issue.

SharePoint relies on OneDrive integration to manage the Quick Access list. Administrative accounts created without standard user licenses often lack the OneDrive provisioning required for this feature to work.

By temporarily applying an eligible license, you can activate the necessary OneDrive rights, complete your file transfers, and then remove the license afterward.

Log in to Microsoft 365 Admin Center

Navigate to the Microsoft 365 admin center using your administrator credentials.

Select the target user account

Go to 'Users' and then 'Active users' in the left-hand navigation menu. Find and click on the account you are using to move the files.

Assign a temporary license

Click on the 'Licenses and apps' tab. Check the box for an eligible license that includes OneDrive, such as Microsoft 365 Business Premium, and save your changes.

Pin to Quick Access

Open SharePoint, connect OneDrive to your account, and try pinning the required SharePoint sites to the Quick Access bar again.

Complete the file transfer

Once the sites are successfully pinned to Quick Access, retry copying or moving your files between the SharePoint sites.

Assign a Microsoft 365 License with OneDrive

License Management: After you have successfully copied or moved the files, you can return to the Microsoft 365 admin center and unassign the temporary license to free it up for other users.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Manage and Share Documents Easily with WPS Office

If complex licensing restrictions in Microsoft 365 and SharePoint are slowing down your workflow, consider using WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and user-friendly environment for document management and cloud storage without the administrative hassle.

1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS website to download the free installation package for your operating system.
2. Sign In to WPS Cloud: Create a free account to activate WPS Cloud, giving you instant access to your files across multiple devices.
3. Open and Edit Office Files: Drag and drop your existing Microsoft Office documents into WPS Office to start editing immediately with full formatting compatibility.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Office file formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx).Built-in WPS Cloud makes file sharing and synchronization effortless.Lightweight architecture ensures fast performance without heavy system requirements.Familiar user interface allows for a seamless transition from Microsoft Office.Completely free to download and use for essential daily tasks.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I pin a SharePoint site to Quick Access despite having Full Control permissions?

Pinning a site to Quick Access requires a fully provisioned OneDrive account. If your user or admin account lacks a Microsoft 365 license that includes OneDrive, the Quick Access feature will not work, regardless of your SharePoint permissions.

Which Microsoft 365 licenses include the necessary OneDrive rights?

Most standard business licenses include OneDrive, such as Microsoft 365 Business Basic, Business Standard, Business Premium, and standard Enterprise licenses (E3, E5).

Can I move SharePoint files without using Quick Access?

Yes. If you cannot pin sites to Quick Access, you can bypass the issue by using the 'Move to' or 'Copy to' buttons directly in the SharePoint document library web interface, or by using the OneDrive sync client on your local computer.

Will I lose my files if I remove the license after the transfer?

No. Removing the temporary license from the admin account only revokes that specific user's OneDrive access. The files moved into the destination SharePoint document library will remain safe and accessible to all users with permissions to that site.

Document & File Issues