OneDrive File Issues

How to Preserve File Dates Moving from Box to OneDrive

Olivia Miller Oct 13, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user needs to transfer files from Box to Microsoft OneDrive without losing the original Created and Modified date metadata.

How to Preserve File Dates Moving from Box to OneDrive

Product: OneDrive and Box
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Migrating personal files from a Box account to a Microsoft 365 Family OneDrive account.
Observed behavior: Standard download and upload methods, as well as basic migration tools, alter the files' Created and Modified dates to the date of the transfer instead of retaining the original history.

Before you start

Ensure you have adequate storage space in your destination OneDrive account and carefully review the privacy and security policies of any third-party migration tools before granting them access to your cloud accounts.

Solution 1Recommended

Use a Specialized Cloud Migration Tool

The most reliable way to retain original file metadata is to use a dedicated cloud-to-cloud migration service that explicitly supports metadata preservation.

Standard copy-paste or download-upload methods rely on your local operating system, which registers the transfer as a new file creation. Specialized migration services bypass this by interacting directly with the Box and OneDrive APIs to preserve your original timestamps.

Select a migration tool

Research and select a reputable third-party cloud migration tool that explicitly guarantees metadata preservation (such as Cloudsfer, MultCloud, or similar API-based services).

Connect source account

Create an account with the chosen migration service and follow their prompts to authorize access to your Box account as the source directory.

Connect destination account

Authorize the service to access your Microsoft OneDrive account as the migration destination.

Configure metadata settings

Navigate to the migration options or settings panel and ensure the 'Preserve file timestamps' or 'Keep original metadata' option is actively checked.

Run a test migration

Run a small test migration with a few non-essential files to verify that the Created and Modified dates are properly preserved in OneDrive before migrating the entire drive.

Security Check: Always revoke the third-party tool's access to your Box and OneDrive accounts from your account security settings once the migration is fully completed.

Solution 2

Create a Metadata Reference Report

If you prefer not to use third-party tools, you can document the original dates before performing a manual standard transfer.

Solution 3

Automate New File Transfers with Power Automate

This method is ideal for syncing newly added files from Box to OneDrive going forward rather than doing historical bulk migrations.

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1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installation package for your device.
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3. Connect Your Cloud: Go to the 'Open' menu, select 'Add Cloud Storage', and log into your OneDrive to access your migrated documents directly within the app.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why do file dates change when I download files from Box and upload them to OneDrive?

When you download a file to your computer and subsequently upload it to a new location, your operating system treats the downloaded file as a brand-new file on your hard drive. Because of this, the 'Created' date automatically updates to the current date and time of the download.

Does Microsoft 365 Family include a built-in Box migration tool?

No. While Microsoft provides the M365 Migration Manager for enterprise and business accounts, personal and Microsoft 365 Family subscriptions do not have native tools to directly connect and migrate files from Box within the standard OneDrive web interface.

Are third-party cloud migration tools safe to use?

Many specialized cloud migration tools are secure and use industry-standard encryption. However, because you are granting them access to your personal data, it is highly recommended to carefully review their privacy policies, security protocols, and user reviews before authorizing access. Always revoke their access once the transfer is complete.

Document & File Issues