How to Move Folders Between Email Accounts in Outlook on the Web
Question details
The user wants to move entire email folders from one email account to another using the Outlook on the web interface.
- Product
- Microsoft Outlook
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Organizing or migrating emails by attempting to transfer complete folders across two separate email accounts.
- Observed behavior
- Outlook on the web does not provide a native option to move complete folders between separate mailboxes, forcing users to seek desktop-based or admin-level alternatives.
Ensure that you have the necessary permissions to access, create folders, and move messages in both the source and destination email accounts. You will also need access to the Outlook desktop application, as the web version does not support cross-account folder movement.
Move Folders Using the Outlook Desktop Application
Since Outlook on the web does not support moving complete folders between separate accounts, you must use the Outlook desktop client where both accounts are configured.
The desktop version of Outlook has advanced cross-mailbox functionalities that the web version lacks. By adding both accounts to the same desktop profile, you can easily transfer data.
Open the Outlook desktop app. Go to 'File' > 'Add Account' and ensure both your source and destination email accounts are added and fully synced.
In the left-hand navigation pane, find the specific folder you want to move under the source account's mailbox.
Click and hold the folder, drag it down to the destination account's mailbox, and release your mouse button to move it.
Alternatively, right-click the folder you wish to transfer, select 'Move Folder' from the context menu, choose the destination mailbox from the pop-up list, and click 'OK'.
Use Microsoft 365 Migration Tools for Large Transfers
If you are moving a massive amount of data or migrating entire mailboxes between accounts, manual dragging is inefficient and prone to syncing errors.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't I move folders between accounts in Outlook on the web?
Outlook on the web is a streamlined version of the email client designed for quick access and basic tasks. It lacks the advanced cross-mailbox processing capabilities found in the desktop version, restricting you to moving emails or folders only within a single mailbox.
Will moving a folder delete it from the original account?
Yes. If you use the 'Move' function or drag and drop without holding the copy shortcut, the folder and all its enclosed emails are removed from the source account and transferred entirely to the destination account.
Can I move a folder if I only have web access to my email?
No, you cannot move entire folders between separate accounts directly on the web. As a manual workaround, you would have to create a new folder in the destination account and forward the emails individually, which is why using the desktop app is highly recommended.
What happens if the moving process is interrupted in the desktop app?
If the Outlook desktop app is closed or loses its internet connection during the move, the synchronization process may stall. The folder might appear in both accounts temporarily or partially transfer. Wait for the connection to restore or check both mailboxes online to verify what was moved before attempting the transfer again.
