Microsoft 365 Migration

How to Transfer Large Folders Between OneDrive Accounts Without Downloading

Elise Williams Sep 30, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to move a massive 296 GB folder between institutional OneDrive accounts without fully downloading it to local storage.

How to Transfer a 296 GB Folder Between OneDrive Accounts Without Downloading

Product: Microsoft OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Migrating large volumes of data from one OneDrive account to another, such as when switching institutions, roles, or from a personal to a work account.
Observed behavior: Standard file transfers require downloading 296 GB of data to the local hard drive before uploading it, which consumes massive amounts of storage and bandwidth.

Before you start

Verify that the destination OneDrive account has sufficient available storage capacity to hold the 296 GB folder, and ensure you have the correct login credentials for both accounts.

Solution 1Recommended

Sync Accounts Locally Using OneDrive Files On-Demand

Connect both accounts to the OneDrive desktop client and use the Files On-Demand feature to move data without taking up permanent local disk space.

This method works well if both accounts are work or school accounts. By utilizing Files On-Demand, you can copy the files between the two directories. While the desktop client manages the transfer, it minimizes the storage footprint, though it will still utilize internet bandwidth to upload the files to the new account.

Add both accounts to OneDrive

Open OneDrive settings on your computer, navigate to the 'Account' tab, and click 'Add an account'. Sign in to both the source and destination OneDrive accounts.

Enable Files On-Demand

In the settings for both accounts, ensure that 'Files On-Demand' is turned on (Select 'Save space and download files as you use them'). This ensures files remain in the cloud by default.

Copy the large folder

Open File Explorer and open two separate windows: one for the source OneDrive folder and one for the destination. Drag the 296 GB folder from the source to the destination. OneDrive will process the sync in the background.

Sync Accounts Locally Using OneDrive Files On-Demand

Bandwidth Consideration: While Files On-Demand saves local hard drive space, the OneDrive client must still pull the data from the source and push it to the destination, which will take time based on your internet connection speed.

Solution 2

Use Microsoft Mover for Cloud-to-Cloud Migration

Utilize Microsoft's official Mover tool to migrate files directly between cloud servers without using your local storage or bandwidth.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Manage and Edit Migrated Cloud Files with WPS Office

After transferring massive folders across your OneDrive accounts, you need a fast and reliable office suite to access your documents. WPS Office is a lightweight, fully compatible alternative to Microsoft 365 that connects effortlessly to your cloud drives without requiring an expensive subscription.

1. Install WPS Office: Download and install the free WPS Office application on your Windows, Mac, or mobile device.
2. Connect your cloud drive: Open WPS Office, navigate to the 'Open' menu, and sign in to your OneDrive account to access your newly migrated files directly.
3. Edit and save: Edit your documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. Any changes will automatically sync back to your OneDrive cloud.

Seamless compatibility with Microsoft Office formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx)Direct integration with cloud storage providers to open files instantlyLightweight application that preserves system storage and resourcesFree alternative to expensive Microsoft 365 subscriptions

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I just share the 296 GB folder instead of transferring it?

Yes, sharing the folder grants the new account access to the files without moving them. However, the files remain tied to the original account's storage quota. If the original account is deleted or disabled (such as when leaving an institution), the shared files will be lost forever.

Why does my local disk space still decrease when using Files On-Demand?

When you copy files between two synchronized OneDrive folders, the system may temporarily download caches or file chunks to facilitate the transfer to the new directory. To clear up space once the upload finishes, right-click the destination folder and select 'Free up space'.

Is Microsoft Mover available for all OneDrive users?

Microsoft Mover is widely used for transitioning from personal to Microsoft 365 work/school accounts. However, its availability can be restricted by your organization's IT policies. If Mover is blocked, check with your IT department for an approved tenant-to-tenant migration tool.

Migration & Recovery