03 Jun

Migrate Google Files to Microsoft 365—A Step-by-Step Guide for SMBs

Posted at 14:45h in Blog, Microsoft 365, Migration by Nirav Langhanoja 0 Comments

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Introduction:

Migrating from Google Workspace (Google Drive) to Microsoft 365 is a strategic shift for many SMBs looking to consolidate their productivity tools. Microsoft’s recommended solution, the SharePoint Migration Manager, efficiently transfers files from Google Drive to OneDrive and SharePoint while preserving the original data in Drive as a backup.

In this guide, we explore the key reasons businesses switch to Microsoft 365, walk through the prerequisites and step-by-step migration process, and discuss the benefits of professional migration support. With Star Knowledge’s expertise, your business can achieve a fast, secure, and seamless transition to Microsoft 365.

Why Move from Google Workspace to Microsoft 365?

Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive all function as a single platform in the all-inclusive cloud environment provided by Microsoft 365. Making the switch to Microsoft 365 improves security and increases scalability and cooperation.

In fact, Microsoft notes that a Microsoft 365 migration “enhances collaboration, security, and scalability while reducing IT costs.” Unlike Google Workspace alone, Microsoft 365 for business includes familiar Office apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook) and advanced compliance features. This integration means teams can edit and share files in real time with full version control, and IT can enforce enterprise-grade security and data protection policies. In short, moving Google Drive data into Microsoft 365 centralizes files in a secure, business-ready cloud environment, improving productivity and easing management.

Prerequisites and Planning

Make sure your environment is prepared before beginning the migration:

Microsoft 365 accounts and permissions: Each user must have a Microsoft 365 for business account and be signed into Office (especially OneDrive). Assign a high-level admin role (Global Administrator or SharePoint/OneDrive Admin, or a dedicated “Migration Administrator” role) to the person running the migration.
Google admin credentials: You will also sign into your Google Workspace as an administrator who has read access to all user drives you plan to migrate. This enables each Google account’s material to be scanned and copied by Migration Manager.
Migration app setup: The Microsoft 365 Migration app must be installed in your Google Workspace via the Google Workspace Marketplace (this is covered in the steps below).
Compatibility and file sizes: Migration Manager can handle files up to 250 GB in size. It will convert Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides into Office formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx) automatically. Note that some items do not migrate—for example, Google Sites, Maps, shortcuts, or empty (0-byte) files will be skipped. Also, ensure file and folder paths remain under the 400-character limit. Planning ahead for large files and unsupported items helps avoid surprises.

How to Migrate Google Files with Migration Manager

Follow these high-level steps to migrate your Google Drive files using Microsoft’s Migration Manager (SharePoint Admin Center):

Connect and Install Migration App: In the Microsoft 365 SharePoint Admin Center, go to Migration and choose Google Drive (or Google Workspace) as the source. Select Connect to Google Workspace, then on the install page select Install and Authorize. Sign in with your Google admin account and complete the admin installation. This grants Microsoft permission to access your Google Drive data.
Scan Google Drives: In the Drives tab, select the Google user drives (personal and shared drives) you want to migrate, then click Scan. Migration Manager will scan each drive for issues. When the scan finishes successfully, those drives will show a status of Ready to migrate. You can download scan reports to review any errors before proceeding.
Copy Drives to Migration List: After a drive is scanned and ready, select Copy to Migration. This adds the drive to your migration job queue. Repeat for all drives you need to migrate. The drives will be listed as pending migrations.
Review Destinations and Map Identities: Before starting the migration, verify that each Google Drive’s contents will land in the correct Microsoft 365 location. Migration Manager automatically maps source paths to matching destinations, but you should review and adjust these paths as needed (for example, which SharePoint site or user OneDrive folder to use). Also map Google user identities to Microsoft 365 users/groups. This step ensures that file ownership, metadata, and sharing permissions carry over properly.
Start the Migration: Finally, on the Drive migrations tab, select the prepared drives and click Migrate. The program will transfer the files into Microsoft 365, leaving the originals in Google. You can monitor progress in the admin center. When each drive’s status changes to Completed, the migration is done.

Migrate Google Files to Microsoft 365—Fast & Easy

A simple step-by-step guide to move your files without downtime or stress—built for SMBs.

Key Considerations

Communication & Testing: Notify your team about the migration schedule and any new login procedures. Consider migrating a pilot group first to validate that documents, permissions, and workflows work correctly in Microsoft 365 before moving everyone’s data.
Permissions and Metadata: Mapping identities (users and groups) is critical. If a Google Drive file is shared with certain users or groups, make sure the equivalent Microsoft accounts exist and are mapped in Migration Manager. This preserves file-level sharing and security settings.
Data Integrity: After migration, verify a sample of files to confirm formatting and content transferred correctly. Because originals remain in Google Drive, you can fall back if needed.
Licensing and Governance: Ensure each user has the appropriate Microsoft 365 licenses (e.g., OneDrive for Business) before the cutover. Define any new retention or compliance policies in SharePoint/OneDrive.
Downtime: The migration itself creates copies of your data, so users can keep working in Google Drive while the transfer happens. A final “cutover” step (pointing users to OneDrive/SharePoint) can be scheduled for off-hours. Star Knowledge’s planning helps minimize disruption.

Benefits of Expert Migration Services

Working with seasoned consultants like those at Star Knowledge can make a big difference:

Proven Expertise: As a Microsoft Gold Partner with over 15 years of experience, Star Knowledge has completed 300+ migration projects. Our 30+ certified migration experts use proven methodologies to avoid common pitfalls.
Minimized Downtime: We build a structured migration plan (including parallel systems and off-peak scheduling) so that your business keeps running. In fact, Star Knowledge “schedules migrations during off-peak hours” and uses parallel processing to minimize or eliminate downtime.
Enhanced Security: Your data’s security is paramount. We follow best practices like end-to-end encryption and least-privilege access, and we help meet regulatory requirements. Star Knowledge “follows industry best practices, including end-to-end encryption, secure access controls, and compliance with data protection regulations,” ensuring data remains secure throughout the migration.
Full Support & Training: Beyond the transfer, Star Knowledge provides 24×7 support and user training. We help your team learn how to use Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive effectively after the move. We guarantee that your employees “can fully utilize Microsoft 365 tools” in order to increase productivity.

Frequently Asked Questions About Migrating Google Files to Microsoft 365

Why should I migrate Google files to Microsoft 365?
Migrating to Microsoft 365 allows your business to unify tools for collaboration, security, and productivity—giving you access to integrated apps like Teams, OneDrive, and SharePoint within a single ecosystem.
What happens to my original Google Drive files after migration?
Using Microsoft’s SharePoint Migration Manager, a copy of your files is migrated. The originals remain safely stored in Google Drive unless manually deleted.
Is Microsoft 365 Migration Manager secure for file transfers?
Yes. Migration Manager is a Microsoft-native, enterprise-grade tool that uses secure authentication and access protocols to ensure safe data transfers from Google Workspace to Microsoft 365.

Conclusion

The full potential of Office 365 for your company can be unlocked by moving Google data to Microsoft 365. You can confidently transfer your Google Drive content to OneDrive and SharePoint by adhering to the Migration Manager procedure and the preceding recommended practices. However, the process involves important details — from installing the migration app to mapping permissions — where expert guidance makes a difference. Star Knowledge combines Microsoft-certified expertise with a proven track record to ensure your transition is fast, secure, and hassle-free.

Ready to migrate Google files to Microsoft 365 with minimal risk? Contact Star Knowledge today for a personalized migration plan. Our experts will assess your environment, create a tailored roadmap, and help you move to Microsoft 365 smoothly and confidently.

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