How to Move Large Files (165 GB) Between SharePoint Online Sites
Question details
The user needs to migrate approximately 165 GB of data between two SharePoint Online sites efficiently over a single weekend.
- Product
- SharePoint Online
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Migrating a large volume of organizational files across SharePoint sites during a limited weekend window to ensure users can work normally by Monday.
- Observed behavior
- The built-in SharePoint 'Move to' command is too slow for a 165 GB transfer, requiring a faster alternative method to ensure completion.
Verify that your internet connection is stable with sufficient upload speeds (e.g., 400+ Mbps) and review Microsoft's SharePoint and OneDrive file size and path length restrictions before starting.
Use the OneDrive Sync Client
This is the most reliable method for moving large amounts of data between SharePoint sites on a stable internet connection.
By syncing both the source and destination document libraries to your local machine, you can use Windows File Explorer or macOS Finder to copy the data. This handles synchronization natively in the background.
Navigate to the source SharePoint document library in your web browser and click the 'Sync' button in the top menu to connect it to your local OneDrive client.
Open the destination SharePoint document library in your browser and click 'Sync' to establish a local connection for the target folder.
Open your local file manager (File Explorer on Windows or Finder on Mac). Copy the 165 GB of files from the source SharePoint folder and paste them into the newly synced destination SharePoint folder.
Leave your computer powered on and connected to the internet. The OneDrive client will upload the copied files to the destination SharePoint site in the background.
Manually Download and Upload Files in Batches
A direct approach if synchronization tools are not viable or if network stability fluctuates.
Experience Seamless Document Management with WPS Office
While migrating massive SharePoint folders requires Microsoft cloud tools, your daily document workflow doesn't have to be tied to expensive subscriptions. WPS Office provides a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office, letting you seamlessly edit your documents offline or in the cloud.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installer for your operating system.
- 2. Install the application: Run the installer and follow the quick setup instructions to install the suite on your computer.
- 3. Open and edit your files: Launch WPS Office to instantly open, edit, and save your Microsoft Office documents without any formatting loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to migrate 165 GB of data to SharePoint?
With an upload speed of 443 Mbps, 165 GB theoretically takes roughly an hour. However, realistically, due to SharePoint server throttling, indexing, and small-file processing overhead, it is best to allocate several hours or let the sync run overnight.
How can I verify that all files migrated successfully between SharePoint sites?
After the synchronization or upload is complete, manually compare the total file counts, overall folder sizes, and the 'Date Modified' properties on both the source and destination sites to ensure data integrity.
Why is the built-in 'Move to' command so slow in SharePoint?
The 'Move to' command processes items sequentially on the server side and is subject to strict server throttling limits to maintain general tenant performance. This makes it inefficient for bulk data transfers like a 165 GB migration.
Can I use the Microsoft Mover tool for same-tenant migrations?
The Mover tool is primarily optimized for tenant-to-tenant or external cloud-to-Microsoft 365 migrations. For migrating data between two sites within the same tenant, using the OneDrive sync client is generally the recommended and most effective workaround.
