Overview
The migration tool options on this page have been reviewed and approved by the UW-IT Productivity Platform team for migrating UW Google content in the UW environment. Other migration options may exist, but it is your responsibility to ensure the process and/or service follows UW-IT standards and state record keeping requirements.
Please be aware that the vendors of various migration tools, including those on this list, may advertise features/capabilities that are not allowed in the UW environment. For example: a tool may require admin-level access to the entire platform tenant which is not appropriate and will not be granted.
Tools
The following tools are in order by ease of use, starting with the lowest technical knowledge up through requiring advanced technical ability.
WARNING: Do not copy/paste from one UW Google Drive to another using the Google Drive desktop client. This will only create links back to the original drive and does not create copies of the content in the new drive location. Instead, please use one of the tools below to ensure content is migrated.
Google Move Tool
Cost
- Free
Perks
- Move files and folders from Google Drive to Shared Drives
- Simple, uses built-in Google Move tool
Caveats
- Complexity regarding folder and file permissions post-transfer
- Review the Google Drive Help article “Move files & folders into shared drives” to learn more
- Only moves files and folders within Google Drive; does not support Gmail or any other content outside of Google Drive
Export File Type
- Maintains existing Google file formats
Google Takeout
Cost
- Free
Perks
- Simple, one-click
- Most comprehensive export of Google data
Caveats
- No Google Shared Drives
- Gmail content is exported in “MBOX” format
Export File Type
- Converts to standardized open file format
- Gmail exports to “MBOX” format
Manual Download
Cost
- Free
Perks
- Google Shared Drives
Caveats
- Need for local storage
- Time consuming
- Subject to 750GB per day data download limit
Export File Type
- Gmail exports to “MBOX” format
Google Takeout (Transfer)
Cost
- Free
Perks
- Google Drives
- Gmail content transferred in original format
- Transferred content keeps Google formatting
- No cap on daily download
Caveats
- No other type of Google data included
Export File Type
- None, transfers content from one account to another
Mover.io
Cost
- Free
Perks
- Automated migration
- Easy connection from Google Drive to OneDrive for Business
Caveats
- No Google Shared Drive
- No email
- No Microsoft SharePoint
Export File Type
- Directly converts to MS Office format during migration
ShareGate
Cost
- Not Free
- 15-day free trial
- 1 year license: $6,000
- Discounts for packages of licenses
- You will need to organize a community buy-in if deciding to use a package of licenses discount.
Perks
- Good user interface
- Permissions mapping features
- Great experience transferring to MS SharePoint
Caveats
- Not all ShareGate features are supported within UW environment
- No email
- No Google Shared Drive
Export File Type
- Directly converts to MS Office format during migration
- Download to local file is an option
RClone
Cost
- Free
Perks
- Only tool that will use the correct security context for UW AND can move Shared Drive content.
- Flexible
Caveats
- Advanced technical knowledge needed
- Command line interface
- UW community-effort support; MS Team: Rclone Tech Forum
Export File Type
- Wide range of standard file types
Quick Check Table
The table below serves as a quick visual check to determine which migration tool will cover what migration need(s) for your specific use case.
Scenarios |
Mover.io |
ShareGate |
Google Takeout |
Manual Download |
RClone |
UW Google Drives |
|||||
| Google Drive to OneDrive for Business | X | X | X | X | X |
| Google Drive to Microsoft SharePoint & Teams | X | X | X | X | |
UW Google Shared Drives |
|||||
| Google Shared Drive to OneDrive for Business | X | X | |||
| Google Shared Drive to Microsoft SharePoint & Teams | X | X | |||
UW Gmail Considerations
Migrating UW Gmail requires specific attention since most of the migration tools outlined on this page only apply to non-Gmail content. To ensure no data loss, review the information below to choose a migration option best suited to your situation.
UW Gmail to UW Office 365 Exchange Online:
- Note on Shared UW NetIDs: Recommend creating a new Outlook profile to complete this work.
UW Gmail to consumer @gmail.com Account:
- Google Takeout (transfer)
UW Gmail to other email service:
- Google Takeout – MBOX format
- Manual download – MBOX format
Support
If you need further assistance, please contact UW-IT at help@uw.edu or 206-221-5000.