Microsoft 365 Migration

How to Understand Warnings in SharePoint Migration Tool Reports

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user needs assistance interpreting warning messages found in a SharePoint Migration Tool (SPMT) summary report and locating relevant supporting documentation.

Product: SharePoint Migration Tool (SPMT)
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Migrating files from a Windows Server environment to Microsoft SharePoint.
Observed behavior: The migration summary report generates warning messages that the user cannot interpret without specialized documentation or expert guidance.

Before you start

Ensure you have the complete summary report generated by the SharePoint Migration Tool and note down the exact version of the tool you are using before seeking specialized help.

Solution 1Recommended

Consult Specialists on Microsoft Q&A

Since SPMT warnings can be highly specific to your environment and files, the most effective way to interpret them is to consult SharePoint specialists on Microsoft's official Q&A platform.

The SharePoint Migration Tool generates logs that often require deep technical knowledge of SharePoint Server to interpret correctly. Posting your specific scenario on Microsoft Q&A ensures you get accurate, specialized assistance.

Gather your migration details

Collect the exact warning text from your SPMT summary report, your migration source (e.g., Windows Server version), the destination environment (SharePoint Online), and your current SPMT version.

Navigate to Microsoft Q&A

Open your web browser and visit the official Microsoft Q&A website. Search for and navigate to the 'SharePoint Server Management' section.

Submit your query

Create a new post detailing your issue. Include all the gathered report details and warning logs so that SharePoint specialists have the context needed to accurately interpret the results.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the SharePoint Migration Tool logs saved locally?

By default, the SPMT saves all its migration logs, including the summary reports containing warnings, in the hidden AppData folder on the machine running the migration. The typical path is C:\Users\[Username]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\MigrationTool_...\[TaskID]\Report.

Do warning messages mean my SharePoint migration failed?

Not necessarily. Warnings usually indicate that a file was migrated but with some minor modifications (such as truncated file names or stripped unsupported metadata), or that certain non-critical elements could not be migrated. Critical failures are typically marked as 'Errors' rather than 'Warnings'.

How can I fix invalid characters in file names before running the migration?

You can use PowerShell scripts or third-party file renaming tools to scan your Windows Server source files for unsupported SharePoint characters (such as ~ " # % & * : < > ? / \ { | }) and replace them prior to running the SharePoint Migration Tool.

Migration & Recovery