Migrating data from Box to OneDrive doesn't have to be complicated. Whether you're an individual looking to transfer personal files or an IT administrator handling an enterprise-wide migration, this guide will walk you through the entire process. I've helped countless users make this transition smoothly, and I'm sharing all my practical tips to ensure your migration succeeds without headaches.

Why Migrate from Box to OneDrive?

There are several good reasons why you might consider moving your data from Box to OneDrive:

• Better Microsoft 365 integration for existing Office users
• Cost savings on subscription fees
• Simplified vendor management
• Enhanced collaboration features in the Microsoft ecosystem
• Improved storage options and pricing tiers
• Streamlined IT management for organizations

Whatever your reason, the migration process can be broken down into manageable steps that anyone can follow.

Preparing for Your Box to OneDrive Migration

Assessment and Planning

Before you start moving files, take time to assess what you have and plan accordingly:

• Inventory your Box content (file types, sizes, folder structures)
• Identify any potential compatibility issues
• Determine which files and folders need migration
• Create a timeline for migration completion
• Set up communication plans for users (for enterprise migrations)

Technical Preparation

Getting your technical ducks in a row will save you time and prevent headaches:

• Ensure you have admin access to both Box and OneDrive accounts
• Check available storage space in your OneDrive destination
• Verify internet connection stability (migrations can take time)
• Update any relevant software you'll be using
• Back up critical data before starting the migration

Personal Migration: Box to OneDrive for Individuals

If you're migrating your personal files, you have several straightforward options to choose from.

Method 1: Manual Download and Upload

This is the simplest approach for smaller collections of files:

Step-by-Step Process:

1. Log into your Box account
2. Select the files and folders you want to migrate
3. Download them to your local computer
4. Log into your OneDrive account
5. Upload the files to your desired OneDrive location

This method works best for migrations under 5GB. For larger collections, consider using the desktop applications or a migration tool to avoid timeout issues and simplify the process.

Method 2: Using Desktop Applications

For a more efficient transfer, especially with larger file collections:

Step-by-Step Process:

1. Install both Box and OneDrive desktop applications on your computer
2. Sign in to both applications
3. Allow both to sync completely with their cloud storage
4. Locate your Box folder in File Explorer/Finder
5. Select the files/folders you want to migrate
6. Copy them to your OneDrive folder
7. Wait for OneDrive to sync the files to the cloud

This method leverages your computer as a bridge between the services, making transfers more reliable for larger data sets.

Method 3: Using the Migration Tool in OneDrive

Microsoft offers a built-in migration tool for personal accounts:

Step-by-Step Process:

1. Log into OneDrive on the web
2. Click on "Upload" and select "Transfer from Box"
3. Follow the prompts to connect your Box account
4. Select the files and folders you want to transfer
5. Start the migration and monitor progress

This option isn't always available for all accounts, but when it is, it provides a streamlined experience directly from the OneDrive interface.

Enterprise Migration: Box to OneDrive for Business

For organizations migrating multiple user accounts, the process requires more planning and coordination.

Method 1: Using Microsoft's Migration Manager

Microsoft provides Migration Manager in the SharePoint admin center for larger-scale migrations:

Step-by-Step Process:

1. Log into the Microsoft 365 admin center
2. Go to the SharePoint admin center
3. Select "Migration" in the left navigation
4. Choose "Migration Manager"
5. Select "Box" as your source
6. Download and install the migration agent on a server
7. Create migration tasks by mapping Box users to OneDrive users
8. Run and monitor the migration tasks

Migration Manager allows IT teams to handle large-scale migrations efficiently while providing detailed reporting and management capabilities.

Method 2: Third-Party Migration Tools

Several third-party tools can simplify enterprise migrations:

• ShareGate
• AvePoint
• BitTitan MigrationWiz
• CloudFastPath
• SkySync

Typical Process with Third-Party Tools:

1. Purchase or set up a trial of your chosen migration tool
2. Connect both your Box and OneDrive/Microsoft 365 environments
3. Map users and content between the systems
4. Configure migration settings (scheduling, throttling, etc.)
5. Run test migrations with a small user group
6. Execute the full migration in batches
7. Verify migration completion and success

These tools often provide additional features like permission mapping, content filtering, and detailed reporting that can be valuable for complex migrations.

Method 3: PowerShell for Advanced Users

For IT teams comfortable with scripting, PowerShell offers powerful capabilities:

Basic PowerShell Migration Approach:

1. Install required PowerShell modules for Box and Microsoft 365
2. Create connection scripts for both platforms
3. Generate user and content mapping
4. Develop migration scripts to handle the transfer
5. Add error handling and logging
6. Run the migration in controlled batches
7. Verify and report on migration status

This approach offers the most customization but requires technical expertise and testing.

Handling Special Migration Cases

Large Files and Special File Types

Some content requires special handling during migration:

• Files larger than 250GB (OneDrive's maximum file size)
• Files with special characters in names
• Files with extremely long path names
• Box Notes (which need conversion to Office formats)
• Box-specific collaboration features that don't have direct equivalents

Solutions for Special Cases:

For large files, consider splitting them into smaller parts or using specialized transfer tools. For Box Notes, export them to Word or PDF format before migration. Path length issues can be addressed by restructuring folders or using tools that handle path compression.

Permissions and Sharing Settings

One of the trickiest aspects of migration is preserving access controls:

Best Practices for Permission Migration:

1. Document existing Box permissions before migration
2. Understand the differences between Box and OneDrive permission models
3. Create a mapping strategy for permissions
4. Use migration tools that support permission transfer
5. Test permission transfers with sample content
6. Verify permissions after migration
7. Have a plan to adjust permissions that didn't transfer correctly

Remember that not all sharing settings will transfer perfectly due to platform differences, so some manual adjustment may be necessary.

Version History and Comments

Preserving file history can be important for compliance and continuity:

Options for Version History:

• Basic migrations typically transfer only the latest version
• Advanced migration tools can preserve version history
• Consider if you need full history or just recent versions
• Test version history transfers before full migration

For critical documents where history is essential, verify that versions transferred correctly after migration.

Post-Migration Steps

Verification and Testing

After migration, thorough verification ensures nothing was lost:

1. Check file counts and sizes between source and destination
2. Verify sample files open correctly in OneDrive
3. Test sharing and collaboration features
4. Ensure users can access their content
5. Verify that critical documents maintained their integrity

User Training and Support

Helping users adapt to OneDrive improves adoption:

• Provide basic OneDrive training materials
• Highlight key differences between Box and OneDrive
• Create quick reference guides for common tasks
• Establish a support channel for migration-related questions
• Consider "office hours" for hands-on help during the transition

Decommissioning Box

Once migration is complete, you'll want to properly close your Box account:

1. Keep Box accessible in read-only mode during a transition period
2. Communicate the timeline for full Box decommissioning
3. Download any audit logs or admin reports you might need
4. Remove payment methods from the account
5. Follow Box's account closure process
6. Document the completed migration for compliance purposes

Common Challenges and Solutions

Bandwidth and Performance Issues

Large migrations can strain network resources:

• Schedule migrations during off-peak hours
• Break large migrations into smaller batches
• Use migration tools with throttling controls
• Consider geographic location of migration servers
• Monitor network performance during migration

User Adoption Resistance

Change can be difficult for users:

• Communicate benefits of OneDrive clearly
• Provide adequate training before migration
• Identify and support "champions" who can help peers
• Address concerns promptly
• Highlight new features that weren't available in Box

Technical Limitations and Workarounds

Every migration faces some technical hurdles:

Common Issues and Solutions:

Issue	Solution
File path length limitations	Restructure folders or use path compression tools
Unsupported file types	Convert to supported formats before migration
API throttling	Implement retry logic and pace the migration
Permission mapping differences	Create a detailed permission translation plan
Box Notes conversion	Export to Word or PDF format before transfer

Enterprise Migration Case Study

Mid-Size Company Migration Example

Here's how a typical company with 500 employees might approach migration:

Company Profile:

• 500 employees across 3 locations
• 15TB of data in Box
• Mix of document types including many collaborative files
• Need to maintain regulatory compliance during migration

Migration Strategy:

1. Initial assessment and inventory (2 weeks)
2. Migration planning and tool selection (2 weeks)
3. Pilot migration with IT department (1 week)
4. Department-by-department migration (6 weeks)
5. Verification and troubleshooting (ongoing)
6. Box decommissioning (after 1-month parallel access period)

Results:

The company successfully migrated all content with minimal disruption by using a phased approach and providing targeted user training. They experienced some challenges with custom Box workflows that needed redesigning in the Microsoft ecosystem but ultimately achieved cost savings and improved integration with their existing Microsoft 365 applications.

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.

Personal Migration Case Study

Freelancer Migration Example

How an individual might handle their migration:

User Profile:

• Freelance graphic designer
• 250GB of project files in Box
• Many large design files and client folders
• Needed to maintain client sharing links

Migration Approach:

1. Organized and cleaned up Box files (removing duplicates and outdated projects)
2. Used Box and OneDrive desktop apps for migration
3. Transferred files over a weekend when not working
4. Created new sharing links in OneDrive for active clients
5. Kept Box account active for one month as backup

Results:

The migration was completed over a weekend with minimal issues. The designer needed to recreate some sharing permissions and notify clients of new links but benefited from better integration with other Microsoft tools they were already using.

Comparing Migration Methods

Here's a comparison of the different migration approaches to help you choose:

Method	Best For	Pros	Cons
Manual Download/Upload	Small personal migrations	No special tools needed, Simple process	Time-consuming, No automation, Risk of errors
Desktop Applications	Medium-sized personal migrations	More reliable than manual, Uses local bandwidth	Computer must stay on during transfer, Limited features
Microsoft Migration Manager	Enterprise migrations	Built-in tool, Good reporting, No extra cost	Learning curve, Some limitations with complex permissions
Third-Party Tools	Complex enterprise migrations	Most features, Best reporting, Advanced options	Additional cost, Another tool to learn
PowerShell Scripts	Technical teams with specific needs	Highly customizable, Can be automated	Requires technical expertise, Development time

Time and Resource Planning

Estimating Migration Duration

Plan your timeline based on these factors:

• Data volume: Plan for roughly 2-4GB per hour per migration thread (varies by method)
• File count: Large numbers of small files migrate slower than fewer large files
• Network bandwidth: Limited bandwidth will extend migration time
• Migration method: Third-party tools often provide better performance
• User count: More users means more complexity and time

Resource Requirements

Make sure you have these resources available:

• Migration server or computer with reliable connectivity
• Sufficient storage space at destination (plus 10% buffer)
• IT staff time for configuration and monitoring
• Help desk capacity for user questions
• Training resources for end users

Security and Compliance Considerations

Data Protection During Migration

Protect your information throughout the process:

• Ensure migration tools use encrypted connections
• Verify that temporary storage is secured
• Limit migration admin access to necessary personnel
• Log all migration activities for audit purposes
• Consider running security scans on migrated content

Regulatory Compliance

If you're in a regulated industry, take these extra steps:

• Document your migration plan and processes
• Maintain chain of custody for sensitive documents
• Preserve necessary metadata for compliance requirements
• Verify that retention policies transfer correctly
• Consider involving compliance officers in planning
• Maintain audit logs from both systems

Conclusion

Migrating from Box to OneDrive doesn't have to be overwhelming. With proper planning, the right tools, and a systematic approach, you can successfully transfer your data while minimizing disruption. For personal migrations, the desktop application method offers the best balance of simplicity and reliability. For enterprise migrations, Microsoft's Migration Manager or third-party tools provide the necessary features to handle complex requirements.

Remember that the key to success lies in thorough preparation, clear communication with users, and systematic verification after migration. Take the time to clean up your data before migration, test your approach with a small subset of files, and provide adequate support during the transition period.

By following the guidance in this article, you'll be well-equipped to handle your Box to OneDrive migration, whether you're moving personal files or managing an enterprise-wide project.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I migrate shared links and maintain their functionality?

No, shared links from Box won't automatically work in OneDrive after migration. You'll need to create new sharing links in OneDrive for any files that were previously shared. Some migration tools can generate reports of previously shared content to help you identify what needs new sharing links.

2. What happens to Box Notes during migration?

Box Notes don't have a direct equivalent in OneDrive and won't migrate as-is. The best practice is to export Box Notes to Word documents or PDFs before migration. Some third-party migration tools offer automatic conversion options, but you should verify the results for important documents.

3. How do I handle Box workflows and automations?

Box workflows don't transfer to OneDrive automatically. You'll need to recreate them using Microsoft Power Automate (formerly Flow) or similar tools in the Microsoft ecosystem. Start by documenting your existing Box workflows and then design equivalent processes in the Microsoft platform.

4. Will file version history transfer during migration?

It depends on your migration method. Basic methods like manual upload or desktop applications will only transfer the latest version. Microsoft Migration Manager and some third-party tools can preserve version history, though you should test this functionality before relying on it for critical documents.

5. How can I minimize user disruption during an enterprise migration?

To minimize disruption: communicate clearly about the migration timeline, provide training before migration begins, migrate departments during their off-hours when possible, keep Box accessible in read-only mode during a transition period, and establish a dedicated support channel for migration questions. A phased approach by department also helps manage the change more effectively.