23 May How to Use Microsoft Migration Manager to Move File Shares to Microsoft 365
Introduction:
Are you still handling substantial amounts of content on local file shares or network drives? It’s time to take advantage of cloud collaboration, built-in security, and seamless access with Microsoft 365.
With Microsoft Migration Manager, you can move your organization’s content into SharePoint, OneDrive, or Teams—with a scalable, secure, and agent-based approach that minimizes downtime and disruption.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how Migration Manager works, how to get started, and what you need to know before launching a SharePoint migration.
What Is Microsoft Migration Manager?
Microsoft Migration Manager is a tool built into the SharePoint Admin Center that lets IT admins move on-premises file shares to the Microsoft 365 cloud—whether it’s SharePoint, OneDrive, or Teams.
This tool is designed for large-scale migrations. It allows you to install lightweight agents on multiple machines (physical or virtual) within your network. These agents connect to your file shares and transfer content directly to the cloud.
Key Features of Microsoft Migration Manager
- Supports migration of files up to 250 GB in size
- Centralized dashboard for task and agent management
- Bulk migration support using CSV files
- Agent grouping for optimized performance
- Pre-scan options and error logging
- Migration monitoring and summary/detailed reporting
- Compatible with third-party cloud platforms (Google Workspace, Dropbox, Box, Egnyte)
How Does Microsoft Migration Manager Work?
The process is straightforward but highly scalable. Here’s how it works:
🔹 Step 1: Install Migration Agents
Start by downloading and installing the Microsoft Migration Agent on each system that can access your local file shares. These agents act as bridges between your on-premises data and your Microsoft 365 destination.
Once installed, agents run continuously as background services, authenticating with both your source and Microsoft 365 cloud environment.
Pro Tip: You can assign agents into groups to distribute migration loads effectively.
🔹 Step 2: Create and Configure Migration Tasks
Once your agents are active:
- Input the source path (your local network file share),
- Set the destination (SharePoint site, Teams channel, or OneDrive),
- Or upload a CSV file to migrate content for multiple users in one batch.
Migration Manager then assigns these tasks to available agents within the selected group.
🔹 Step 3: Monitor Your Migration in Real-Time
You get complete visibility into every part of your migration:
- View real-time agent activity
- Track task progress
- Download summary reports and task-level insights
- Review detailed logs for auditing and troubleshooting
This level of control ensures you’re always in the loop and can address any issues proactively.
Move File Shares to Microsoft 365 with Migration Manager
Easily migrate your on-premises file shares to Microsoft 365 using Microsoft Migration Manager—streamline your move and keep your data secure and accessible in the cloud.
File Size Limits: What You Can Move
Microsoft Migration Manager supports file migrations up to 250 GB in size—enabling you to move even your largest data sets without splitting them up.
Prerequisites for SharePoint Migration
Before you begin migrating your file shares, check these system and access requirements:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Operating System | The machines running migration agents must meet Microsoft’s system specs. |
| SMB Protocol | Your source file servers must support SMB 2.0 or later. |
| Network Access | Ensure all necessary Microsoft endpoints are open. |
| Destination Access | You must be a Global Admin or SharePoint/OneDrive Admin. |
| Source Access | You’ll need Windows credentials with read access to each network file share. |
Common Use Cases for Microsoft Migration Manager
- Migrating legacy file shares from internal drives to SharePoint Online
- Moving department folders into Microsoft Teams channels
- Transferring user home drives into OneDrive for Business
- Consolidating multiple file servers into one cloud environment
- Transitioning from third-party platforms like Box, Dropbox, or Google Drive
Final Thoughts: Accelerate Your Microsoft 365 Migration with Confidence
Migrating to Microsoft 365 doesn’t have to be complex. With Microsoft Migration Manager, you gain a powerful and flexible toolset to manage file share migrations at scale—with built-in monitoring, agent grouping, and bulk task execution.
Whether you’re upgrading your infrastructure or rolling out Microsoft 365 organization-wide, Migration Manager ensures a smoother, smarter transition to the cloud.
Need Help with Your SharePoint Migration?
At Star Knowledge, we specialize in enterprise-grade Microsoft 365 migration services—from strategy and setup to execution and post-migration support.
🔹 Let’s ensure your migration is secure, scalable, and seamless.
📩 Contact us today to speak with a Microsoft cloud migration expert.
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