Migrate data from on-premises file share to SharePoint

Read time: 6 minutes

File Share is a collection of shared files stored on a network drive. When a user chooses SharePoint Server as the storage location for their data, it becomes essential to migrate data from its file shares as well. File Server to SharePoint migration can be done for a lot of reasons, including better collaboration, centralized storage, easy file/data sharing, accessibility, and many more. Furthermore, the need for a professional document management tool compels the user to migrate and enjoy the advanced features & benefits of SharePoint.

Users can manually upload files to SharePoint sites or drag & drop the files from a file share to the SharePoint document library. However, it is not ideal for transferring a large volume of data. Let us know the next possible options to move large amounts of data from on-premises file share to SharePoint.

SharePoint Migration Tool – Microsoft utility

Microsoft offers a free in-built utility to migrate file share to SharePoint Online, that too from local file shares. Download the SPMT (SharePoint migration tool) software using the Microsoft website easily. To use this utility, you require the exact location of the file share, Microsoft 365 administrator credentials, and the destination SharePoint URLs beforehand. This tool provides filter options as well, which the administrator needs to set before the migration via tool settings. It also provides the facility of bulk migration via a .csv or .json file. The process takes quite a time to complete, depending on the Internet speed. Also, there is a limitation on the file size. The SMTP tool only allows files of up to 250GB to transfer from file share to Microsoft 365.

Note: After performing the file share to SharePoint migration using SPMT, you can alter the permission settings on the files according to the location of your on-premises data and the synchronization of the Active Directory accounts to Azure Active Directory.

An easier way for file share migration – Kernel Migration for SharePoint

Enterprise-level users can use professional third-party tools to easily move the desired data and permissions from their on-premises file shares to SharePoint Server or SharePoint Online. Kernel Migration for SharePoint follows a relatively simple and direct process for migration and provides flexibility and customization options. Moreover, you can migrate file share to SharePoint Online without putting any size restrictions. A migration job involves various steps. Therefore, to prevent skipping any step we recommend creating a quick SharePoint migration checklist.

Process to migrate file share using Kernel migration tool

Install the SharePoint Migration tool tool on your system. Carry out the following steps for File Server to SharePoint migration(both On-premises and online) using this advanced utility.

1. Launch the installed tool and connect both source (File System) and destination (SharePoint).
2. Go to the toolbar and click on File System section. Now, from the drop-down list, select File System to SharePoint option.
   
3. File System to SharePoint window will open. Here, click the drop-arrow beside the Add option and select from the given options as per your need. You can add individual files, folders, remote files, remote folders, etc., from your file system or remote server.
   
4. Once you add the files, you can view them listed on the screen. You can add more files or remove the existing ones using the given options. You can assign user permissions using Groups/User Permissions at the bottom right. Click Next to continue.
5. Now, provide details like Site URL, List/Folder URL, etc., for the destination (on-premises SharePoint or SharePoint Online account) and click Next.
6. The source and destination attributes are automatically mapped which you can modify if needed, click Next.
7. In the next window, use copy options and apply filters (Date, File, and User) to filter your data. Then click Next.
8. If you want to migrate the permissions or remap users, mark the checkbox and click Next again.
   
9. Here, you can start the migration instantly or schedule the migration at a specific day and time. Make your choice and click Next.
   
10. Confirm all the details of the migration from the provided summary. Click Next.
    
11. Now, File Server to SharePoint online migration will begin. Wait till the process is over. The final page will show the migration status. Click Finish to exit the process.

The tool not only helps you to migrate File Share data to SharePoint online from on-premises, but also supports migration from different platforms. Some other migration jobs possible with the tool are:

• Migration from SharePoint 2010 to 2013, 2016, 2019 & SharePoint Online.
• SharePoint tenant to tenant migration
• Exchange Public folder to SharePoint migration.
• You can also move data from SharePoint to Microsoft 365 (SharePoint Online).
• The tool also offers to move data from Google Drive & One Drive directly to SharePoint.

The tool ensures complete data integrity and offers to migrate SharePoint permissions easily during the migration. It is compatible with all versions of SharePoint Server, Exchange Server, and Windows Operating System.

Conclusion

In the above blog, we have discussed that if we migrate file share to SharePoint then, it makes collaborative document management and team collaboration easy. With the help of SharePoint Migration tool by Microsoft and a third-party Kernel Migration for SharePoint, migrating content in bulk can be done without any hassle. However, the third-party solution provides unlimited data transfer and maintains the data integrity and original file/folder structure, as it was in the file system.