Need to move your files from OneDrive to MEGA but not sure where to start? You're not alone. Many people find themselves needing to transfer files between cloud storage services, whether it's to take advantage of MEGA's generous free storage, better privacy features, or simply to organize files across different platforms.

In this guide, I'll walk you through several straightforward methods to move your files from Microsoft OneDrive to MEGA. No technical expertise required – just simple, step-by-step instructions that anyone can follow.

Why Transfer Files from OneDrive to MEGA?

Before diving into the how-to, let's quickly look at why you might want to make this move:

• MEGA offers 20GB of free storage compared to OneDrive's 5GB
• MEGA emphasizes end-to-end encryption and privacy
• You might need to share files with someone who uses MEGA
• Diversifying your cloud storage can prevent losing everything if one service has issues
• MEGA doesn't require a Microsoft account

Method 1: The Direct Download and Upload Method

This is the most basic approach that works for everyone, regardless of technical skill. It involves downloading files from OneDrive to your device, then uploading them to MEGA.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Part 1: Download Files from OneDrive

1. Go to OneDrive.com and sign in with your Microsoft account
2. Navigate to the files or folders you want to transfer
3. Select the items by clicking the circle in the upper corner of each file/folder
4. Click "Download" from the top menu
5. Choose a location on your computer to save the files
6. Wait for the download to complete

Part 2: Upload Files to MEGA

1. Go to MEGA.nz and log in to your account
2. Click the "Upload" button at the top of the page
3. Select "File Upload" or "Folder Upload" depending on what you're transferring
4. Navigate to where you saved the OneDrive files
5. Select the files or folders and click "Open"
6. Wait for the upload to complete

This method works well for smaller files or when you don't have many items to transfer. For larger transfers, you might want to try one of the other methods below.

Method 2: Using the Desktop Applications

Both OneDrive and MEGA offer desktop applications that sync files between your computer and the cloud. This method can make transferring large amounts of data easier.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Step 1: Install Both Desktop Applications

If you don't already have them installed:

• Download and install OneDrive desktop app
• Download and install MEGA desktop app

Step 2: Set Up Sync Folders

1. Set up OneDrive to sync the folders you want to transfer
2. Set up MEGA to sync to a different folder on your computer
3. Wait until OneDrive has fully downloaded all the files you want to transfer

Step 3: Copy Files Between Folders

1. Open File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac)
2. Navigate to your OneDrive folder
3. Select all the files and folders you want to transfer
4. Copy them (Ctrl+C on Windows or Command+C on Mac)
5. Navigate to your MEGA sync folder
6. Paste the files (Ctrl+V on Windows or Command+V on Mac)

The MEGA desktop app will automatically detect the new files and start uploading them to your MEGA cloud storage. This method is great for large transfers because it happens in the background while you do other things.

Method 3: Using MultCloud - A Cloud Transfer Service

If you want to avoid downloading and uploading files altogether, a cloud transfer service like MultCloud can directly move files between OneDrive and MEGA.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Step 1: Create a MultCloud Account

1. Go to MultCloud.com
2. Sign up for a free account
3. Verify your email and log in

Step 2: Add Your Cloud Accounts

1. Click "Add Cloud" on the MultCloud dashboard
2. Select OneDrive from the list and follow the authorization steps
3. Repeat the process to add your MEGA account

Step 3: Transfer Files

1. Click "Cloud Transfer" in the top menu
2. In the "Transfer from" section, select OneDrive and navigate to the folder containing your files
3. In the "Transfer to" section, select MEGA and choose the destination folder
4. Click "Transfer Now" to start the process

MultCloud will handle the entire transfer process in the cloud, meaning you don't need to download or upload anything. Your computer can even be turned off during the transfer since everything happens on MultCloud's servers.

Method 4: Using AirExplorer

AirExplorer is a desktop application that can manage multiple cloud storage accounts and transfer files between them.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Step 1: Download and Install AirExplorer

1. Go to AirExplorer.net
2. Download the free version
3. Install the application on your computer

Step 2: Add Your Cloud Accounts

1. Open AirExplorer
2. Click "Accounts" in the toolbar
3. Click "Add account" and select OneDrive
4. Follow the authorization steps
5. Repeat to add your MEGA account

Step 3: Transfer Files

1. In AirExplorer, navigate to your OneDrive files in the left panel
2. Select the files or folders you want to transfer
3. Right-click and select "Copy to" or simply drag them to your MEGA account in the left panel
4. Choose the destination folder in MEGA
5. Click "OK" to start the transfer

AirExplorer transfers the files through your computer but handles all the downloading and uploading automatically. It's a good middle ground between the direct method and cloud-to-cloud services.

Method 5: Using Rclone (For Tech-Savvy Users)

If you're comfortable with command-line tools, Rclone is a powerful option for transferring files between cloud services.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Step 1: Install Rclone

1. Download Rclone from rclone.org
2. Install it following the instructions for your operating system

Step 2: Configure Rclone for OneDrive and MEGA

1. Open a command prompt or terminal
2. Run rclone config
3. Follow the prompts to add a new remote for OneDrive
4. Repeat to add a new remote for MEGA

Step 3: Transfer Files

1. Use the command: rclone copy onedrive:path/to/files mega:path/to/destination
2. Replace "onedrive" and "mega" with the names you gave your remotes
3. Replace the paths with the actual folder paths in your accounts

Rclone is extremely efficient and can handle large transfers with options for encryption, bandwidth limiting, and detailed logging. However, it requires some technical knowledge to set up properly.

Comparing All Methods: Which One Should You Choose?

Method	Ease of Use	Speed	Best For	Limitations
Direct Download/Upload	Very Easy	Slow	Small transfers, beginners	Requires bandwidth for both download and upload
Desktop Apps	Easy	Medium	Medium to large transfers	Requires disk space for files
MultCloud	Easy	Fast	Any size transfer without using your bandwidth	Free version has transfer limits
AirExplorer	Medium	Medium	Managing multiple cloud accounts	Free version has some limitations
Rclone	Difficult	Very Fast	Tech-savvy users, automated transfers	Steep learning curve

Tips for a Successful Transfer

Preparing Your Files

• Organize your OneDrive files before transferring to make the process smoother
• Consider compressing large folders into ZIP files to speed up transfers
• Remove any files you no longer need to save space and transfer time

During the Transfer

• For large transfers, make sure your computer won't go to sleep
• If using the direct method, start with smaller batches to ensure everything works
• Keep an eye on your available MEGA storage space

After the Transfer

• Verify that all files transferred correctly by checking file counts and sizes
• Test opening a few random files to ensure they're not corrupted
• Don't delete your OneDrive files until you're sure everything transferred successfully

Quick Tip to ensure your videos never go missing

Videos are precious memories and all of us never want to lose them to hard disk crashes or missing drives. PicBackMan is the easiest and simplest way to keep your videos safely backed up in one or more online accounts. 

Simply download PicBackMan (it's free!), register your account, connect to your online store and tell PicBackMan where your videos are - PicBackMan does the rest, automatically. It bulk uploads all videos and keeps looking for new ones and uploads those too. You don't have to ever touch it.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Transfer Fails or Gets Stuck

If your transfer stops or fails:

• Check your internet connection
• Try transferring smaller batches of files
• Restart the transfer application or your browser
• Make sure you have enough storage space in your MEGA account

Files Won't Upload to MEGA

If MEGA won't accept certain files:

• Check if the file size exceeds MEGA's limits
• Make sure the file name doesn't contain special characters
• Try a different browser or the MEGA desktop app

Slow Transfer Speeds

To improve slow transfers:

• Close other applications using your internet connection
• Try transferring during off-peak hours
• Consider using a wired internet connection instead of Wi-Fi
• If using MultCloud or a similar service, upgrade to a paid plan for faster speeds

Security Considerations When Transferring Files

When moving files between cloud services, keep these security points in mind:

• MEGA offers end-to-end encryption, but files are decrypted during the transfer process if using the direct method
• Use secure, private internet connections when transferring sensitive data
• Consider encrypting very sensitive files before transferring them
• Be cautious about using third-party services – check their privacy policies first
• After transferring sensitive documents, consider deleting the local copies

Managing Your Files After the Transfer

Once you've successfully moved your files to MEGA, here are some tips for organizing them:

• Create a folder structure that makes sense for how you use your files
• Take advantage of MEGA's tagging feature to categorize files
• Set up the MEGA desktop app for continuous syncing if you'll be actively using these files
• Familiarize yourself with MEGA's sharing options if you need to collaborate with others
• Consider setting up regular backups of your most important files

Conclusion

Transferring files from OneDrive to MEGA doesn't have to be complicated. Whether you prefer the straightforward download-upload method or want to use specialized tools like MultCloud or Rclone, there's an approach that fits your technical comfort level and the size of your transfer.

Remember to verify that all your files transferred correctly before deleting anything from OneDrive. Take your time with the process, especially for large amounts of data or important files.

Now that you know how to move your files between these cloud storage services, you can take full advantage of MEGA's generous storage space and security features while keeping your digital life organized across platforms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer files from OneDrive to MEGA without downloading them first?

Yes, you can use cloud-to-cloud transfer services like MultCloud, AirExplorer, or Rclone to move files directly from OneDrive to MEGA without downloading them to your device first. These services handle the entire process in the cloud or through their applications.

How long does it take to transfer files from OneDrive to MEGA?

The transfer time depends on several factors including the size of your files, your internet connection speed, and the method you're using. Small transfers might take minutes, while transferring several gigabytes could take hours. Cloud-to-cloud services typically offer the fastest transfer speeds.

Will I lose file quality or metadata when transferring to MEGA?

No, transferring files between cloud storage services doesn't affect file quality. Files are copied exactly as they are, including all data and metadata. However, some very specific Microsoft Office-related metadata might not be as accessible in MEGA as it was in OneDrive.

Is there a file size limit when transferring to MEGA?

MEGA doesn't impose specific file size limits for uploads through their website or applications. However, very large files (multiple GB) may be more reliable to transfer using the MEGA desktop application rather than the web interface. If you're using a third-party transfer service, check their specific limitations.

Do I need to pay for either service to transfer files between them?

No, you can transfer files between OneDrive and MEGA using their free plans. However, you'll need to ensure you have enough free storage space in your MEGA account to accommodate the files you're transferring. Some third-party transfer services may have premium features that require payment for large transfers.