OneDrive File Issues

How to Restore Lost OneDrive Folder Structure After Moving Files

Ayan Masood Oct 21, 2026 868 views

Question details

Users need to recover their original folder hierarchy after moving files between cloud locations resulted in a flattened structure.

Product: Microsoft OneDrive and SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Moving folders and files from OneDrive to a SharePoint destination within the same organization using the web-based 'Move to' function.
Observed behavior: The files successfully transfer to the destination but lose their original folder structure. Additionally, the web interface may display a spinning indicator showing an item stuck 'in progress'.

Before you start

Verify that you have access to the OneDrive Recycle Bin where the move was initiated, and ensure the OneDrive desktop sync client is installed and running on your computer.

Solution 1Recommended

Restore Files and Move Using the Desktop Sync Client

Bypass the web interface's 'Move to' glitch by restoring the files and using the local OneDrive desktop sync application to transfer the data safely.

When the web-based 'Move to' feature encounters backend issues, it may flatten folders or get stuck in an endless loop. The most reliable method to preserve your directory hierarchy is to handle the file transfer locally through your computer's file explorer while the OneDrive sync client runs in the background.

Restore files from the Recycle Bin

Log in to the OneDrive web interface. Click on 'Recycle bin' in the left navigation menu, select all the files and folders that were moved, and click 'Restore' to return them to their original location.

Set up the OneDrive Sync Client

Open the OneDrive application on your computer and ensure both your source OneDrive account and the destination SharePoint site are actively syncing to your local File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac).

Move folders locally

Open File Explorer or Finder. Navigate to your synced OneDrive folder, select the folders you want to move, and cut (or copy) them.

Paste into the destination

Navigate to the synced SharePoint folder on your computer and paste the items. The OneDrive desktop client will now upload the folders to the cloud while strictly preserving the structure.

Restore Files and Move Using the Desktop Sync Client

Contact Microsoft Support: If the spinning indicator on the web interface persists or the sync client cannot resolve the issue, contact your Microsoft 365 Administrator. They may need to open a support ticket for backend investigation.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Experience Seamless File Management with WPS Office

If you are frequently encountering syncing bugs or file management issues in your current office suite, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible productivity suite with built-in WPS Cloud storage, ensuring your document folders and files stay organized perfectly without complex syncing glitches.

1. Download and install: Get the free WPS Office installer from the official website and run it on your computer.
2. Enable WPS Cloud: Sign in to activate your free WPS Cloud space for secure online document storage.
3. Manage files easily: Drag and drop your folders into the WPS Cloud workspace to sync them seamlessly across all your devices.

100% compatible with Microsoft Office formats like Word, Excel, and PowerPointBuilt-in WPS Cloud storage with reliable, structured folder synchronizationAll-in-one intuitive interface for documents, spreadsheets, and PDFsLightweight application that runs smoothly without heavily consuming system resources

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the 'Move to' feature lose my folder structure?

The web-based 'Move to' function occasionally experiences processing delays or backend synchronization errors, particularly when moving large batches of files across different SharePoint sites, which can result in a flattened directory structure.

Where can I find the files that were moved incorrectly?

Files that were moved but lost their structure in the destination can usually be recovered from the source account's OneDrive Recycle Bin, as the 'Move' command essentially copies the files and deletes the originals.

How do I sync a SharePoint site to my computer?

Navigate to the SharePoint document library in your web browser and click the 'Sync' button in the top menu. This will open the OneDrive desktop app and map the SharePoint library to your local file explorer.

Document & File Issues