Microsoft 365: Transfer Ownership of Files and Folders in OneDrive

Environment

U-M Microsoft 365, OneDrive

Issue

How do I transfer ownership of files and folders in U-M Microsoft OneDrive?

Resolution

To transfer ownership of a file or folder to another account in U-M Microsoft OneDrive, you must move it to a folder that the new owner created and shared with you.

Instructions for you (the original owner)

1. Reach out to the individual you want to transfer ownership to and ask them to create a new shared folder in their OneDrive. (It is important that the new owner create this folder and share it with you.)
2. Send them the instructions below for "Create a new shared folder."
3. Log in to your U-M Microsoft 365 account after they have created the new folder and shared it with you.
   1. Go to portal.office.com.
   2. Enter your UMICH email address (@umich.edu and password at the Microsoft sign-in prompt.
4. Select the app launcher icon in the top left corner, above Home, and select OneDrive.
5. Click My files from the left sidebar.
6. Find the files and folders you want to transfer in your list. Click the circles by each one you want to transfer to select them.
7. Click Download at the top of the page.
8. Find the downloaded .ZIP file on your computer and extract its contents (Windows/Mac).
9. Go back to OneDrive and select Shared from the left sidebar.
10. Find the folder the new owner shared with you. (It may take a few minutes to appear. If it takes longer than 10 minutes, go to the email invite you received from the new owner when they shared the folder with you and click the Open button. This will open the folder in your browser.)
11. Open the shared folder and click Upload at the top of the page.
12. Select Files or Folders depending on what you are transferring (if you are transferring both types, do one type first, then repeat this step for the other).
13. Select the file or folder to upload to the shared folder.
14. If you no longer need access, send the new owner the instructions found below under "Remove the original owner from the shared folder."

Ownership should now be transferred to the new owner.

Instructions for the new owner

Create a new shared folder

1. Go to portal.office.com.
2. Enter your UMICH email address (@umich.edu and password at the Microsoft sign-in prompt.
3. Select the app launcher icon in the top left corner, above Home, and select OneDrive.
4. Click My files from the left sidebar.
5. Click the New button and select Folder.
6. Enter a folder name in the field and click Create.
7. Hover over the folder in your list, click the three-dot menu icon, and select Share.
8. Enter the @umich.edu email address of the current owner who's transferring data in the field provided and select the correct person from the drop-down that appears as you type.
9. Select Can edit (pencil icon) from the permissions drop-down next to the email field.
10. Click Send.

Remove the original owner from the shared folder

When the upload is complete, if the original owner no longer needs access to the files, you (as the new owner) can then remove the sharing permissions of the new folder.

1. Hover over the folder in your My files list, click the three-dot menu icon, and select Manage access.
2. Select the original owner under the People tab.
3. Click "Direct Access: Can edit" and select the Can edit drop-down menu.
4. Select Remove direct access and click Remove to confirm.
5. If it still shows the individual has access via a shared link, click "Specific people with this link: can view" and click the down arrow icon under "How do I modify this link?"
6. Click the "X" beside the original owner's name and click Remove.

Additional Information

Need additional information or assistance? Contact the ITS Service Center.