How to Move Folders Between Microsoft Teams Class Materials
Question details
The user needs to move or transfer folders between Microsoft Teams Class Materials libraries for different classes.
- Product
- Microsoft Teams
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Transferring educational resources and folders from one protected Teams class to another.
- Observed behavior
- Folders cannot be directly moved between classes via drag-and-drop or through the General channel due to the protected nature of Class Materials SharePoint locations.
Ensure you are logged into your Microsoft 365 Education account and verify that you have Teacher or Owner permissions for both the source and destination Teams classes.
Move or Copy Folders via SharePoint Files View
Bypass the Teams interface restrictions by using the underlying SharePoint document library to manage and transfer your protected class files.
The Class Materials folder in Microsoft Teams is designed as a read-only space for students. Because it is a protected SharePoint location, standard drag-and-drop operations between different class channels are often restricted. Using the native SharePoint interface ensures that permissions are correctly evaluated when transferring files.
Navigate to the source class team, click on the "Files" tab in the General channel, and select "Open in SharePoint" from the top toolbar.
In the SharePoint document library, locate the Class Materials folder and check the circles next to the specific folders or files you wish to transfer.
Click the three-dot menu (Show actions) next to the selected items and choose "Copy to" or "Move to" from the dropdown list.
In the navigation pane, choose the destination class team from your list of sites. Open its Documents library and click "Move here" or "Copy here".
Need a Lightweight Alternative for Viewing Class Documents? Try WPS Office
While Microsoft Teams and SharePoint manage your class files and permissions, you still need a reliable suite to edit your educational documents. WPS Office provides a fast, free, and highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office for students and educators.
- 1. Download your files from Teams: Select the required documents in your Microsoft Teams or SharePoint library and click Download to save them to your local storage.
- 2. Open WPS Office: Launch the WPS Office application on your computer, tablet, or smartphone.
- 3. Edit with full compatibility: Open your downloaded Microsoft Office files in WPS Office to view and edit them while preserving the original formatting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't I drag and drop folders directly into the Class Materials folder?
The Class Materials folder in Microsoft Teams for Education is a heavily protected SharePoint location designed to be strictly read-only for students. This unique permission structure intentionally restricts direct cross-class drag-and-drop actions to prevent accidental modifications.
Can students move files within the Class Materials library?
No, students only have read access to the Class Materials folder. Only teachers, educators, or designated team owners possess the permissions required to add, edit, or move files within these specific folders.
What should I do if the destination class doesn't appear in SharePoint?
If the destination class doesn't show up in your "Move to" or "Copy to" quick access list, ensure you are an active member or owner of that class. You can also click "Browse sites" or "More places" at the bottom of the prompt to manually search for the specific SharePoint site.
Is it better to move or copy class materials between Teams?
It is highly recommended to use the "Copy to" function when sharing educational resources with a new class. This ensures you retain the original files securely in your master class library, whereas "Move to" will permanently remove the files from the original location.
