How to Switch from OneDrive to Google Workspace

Are you considering a switch from OneDrive to Google Workspace but don’t know where to begin? Whether you need improved collaboration features, additional storage space, or easy integration with Google’s suite of productivity software, making the switch from OneDrive to Google Workspace can greatly improve your workflow. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll take you through the process of moving your files, making the transition to Google Drive, Gmail, and more a smooth and organized one.

Method 01

Step 1: Assess Your Current Data in OneDrive

Take an inventory of what you currently have in OneDrive before you actually start the process of migration. You should note down how much space you’ll require and list your files categorically for efficient migration.

  1. Log in to your OneDrive account through your browser.
  2. Go through the files and folders you have saved. Determine what should be migrated to Google Workspace and what data should be archived or deleted.
  3. Sort your files into neat folders to make the migration process later easier.

Step 2: Create Google Workspace Account

Before you can begin transferring your files, make sure that your Google Workspace account is configured correctly.

  1. If you do not already possess a Google Workspace account, go to the Google Workspace website and create one. You will need an administrator account to control your organization’s users and data.
  2. After your Google Workspace account is turned on, sign in to your Google Drive (Google Workspace’s central file storage service).
  3. Check your storage plan in Google Drive to make sure that you are using sufficient space to hold all your files. Google Workspace plans have varying storage capacities, depending on the plan used.

Step 3: Get Your Files Ready for Transfer

This is an important step to ensure that the migration will proceed with ease.

  1. Downloading Files from OneDrive:
    • Open OneDrive and choose the files or folders you would like to transfer.
    • Click on the Download button to export these files onto your local computer.
    • For big datasets, you can download multiple files or whole folders in bulk.
  2. Organize Your Files Locally:
    • Once you have downloaded the files, make sure they are properly arranged on your local computer, exactly the way your OneDrive folder is structured. This will facilitate their upload into Google Drive.

Step 4: Upload Files to Google Drive

Having downloaded and sorted out your files, you can now start uploading them to Google Drive on your Google Workspace account.

  1. Sign in to your Google Drive account.
  2. On the left-hand sidebar, click the New button, followed by Folder to make a new folder where you will place your files.
  3. Within the newly formed folder, click the New button once again, and then choose File Upload or Folder Upload based on your choice.
  4. Navigate for the downloaded files or folders from OneDrive, choose them, and click on Upload.

Step 5: Verify and Organize Your Files in Google Workspace

After your files have been successfully uploaded to Google Drive, make sure to confirm that everything is set and arrange them according to your business needs.

  1. Navigate through your recently uploaded folders in Google Drive to verify that all files are properly uploaded and available.
  2. Move or rename files and folders if necessary to maintain everything organized as per your company’s hierarchy.
  3. Establish correct sharing permissions for every folder or document so that the appropriate people can access them. You are able to share files with single users, targeted groups, or make them available to everyone, depending on what you need.

Step 6: Transfer Shared Files and Permissions

If you have shared files with other people in OneDrive, you will need to establish the same level of permissions in Google Drive.

  1. After uploading the files, right-click on each file or folder and select Share.
  2. Type in the email addresses of the individuals who require access and select the corresponding permission level (Viewer, Commenter, or Editor).
  3. If your organization utilizes Google Workspace’s Gmail or Google Meet, you can also create collaborative workflows by attaching relevant documents to meetings and emails.

Step 7: Clean Up OneDrive and Finalize the Migration

Once you have migrated all files you need to Google Workspace, you can now declutter your OneDrive account by removing the migrated files from it. Depending on your preference, you may also terminate your OneDrive account or cancel its subscription since you have already migrated your data to Google Workspace.

  1. In OneDrive, find the folders and files that have been uploaded.
  2. Remove them from OneDrive to clear the space and prevent confusion.
  3. If you don’t need OneDrive anymore, go to your account settings and terminate your subscription.

Method 02

Select a Migration Tool — Why Easy Cloud Manager?

Easy Cloud Manager is a multi-cloud management solution that is used to:

Connect both OneDrive and Google Workspace accounts at the same time

Transfer files securely, at high speed, across clouds

Maintain file structure and metadata (timestamps, authors, etc.)

Track and log all activity for audit-ready compliance

Step 01: Connect OneDrive and Google Workspace to Easy Cloud Manager

  1. Go to easycloudmanager.com and sign up or log in.
  2. Click “Add Cloud Drive”.
  3. Choose Microsoft OneDrive and sign in through OAuth.
  4. Do the same for Google Workspace (Drive).
  5. Check both accounts show up in your dashboard.

ECM employs token-based authentication (OAuth 2.0) — your login credentials are never saved.

Step 02: Organize Your Migration Tasks

Utilize ECM’s Bulk Selection Tool to:

  1. Filter by file type (e.g., PDF, DOCX, Excel)
  2. Exclude duplicates with smart filters
  3. Choose individual or shared folders to migrate

Step 03: Start the Transfer

  1. Choose your OneDrive folder → Click “Move to” → Select Google Drive as the destination.
  2. Utilize Scheduled Transfer if you prefer to run it post-business hours.
  3. Track progress through the real-time dashboard.

With this guide, companies can effectively migrate their files, ensure data integrity, and implement a more collaborative and integrated system using Google Workspace’s set of tools. Easy Cloud Manager is a powerful solution designed specifically for IT administrators, educators, and businesses willing to take ownership of their cloud environment.

Start here at easycloudmanager.com — and make cloud migration, easy.

FAQs

Q: Will my folder organization be the same after transfer?

 Yes, Easy Cloud Manager maintains the original structure.

Q: Can I transfer files shared with me on OneDrive?

Only if you can edit them. ECM will notify you otherwise.

Q: Does ECM store my files or credentials?

No. All transfers are performed client-side with secure OAuth tokens.

Q: Is there any file limit on how many I can transfer?

No hard cap. ECM has the capacity for big batch, large-scale transfers.

Q: Is progress live watchable?

Absolutely! The ECM dashboard offers real-time status of migration.

February 17, 2026CloudSORCIM Technologiesmigrate from onedrive to google workspace, onedrive business to workspace, onedrive to workspace