Migrate (N:)Drive files into BU OneDrive


This guide walks through the process of moving your BU personal computer account files stored on the networking location "N;" into your personal BU-Managed OneDrive account.  You only need to follow this guide if you have previously saved filed to the 'N:' networking drive in the past. 


  • BU Student Accounts and newer BU Staff Accounts will have OneDrive account access already provided.  If you do not see OneDrive as shown in the instructions, please contact BU HelpDesk for further assistance. 


Background 

A BU OneDrive account is a computer file storage system, so that the files can be access by you both at and away from University campus. 


The files placed in your OneDrive work the same in principle to N:, only your BU computer account will have access to the files by default.


It can hold any number of folders and files, but there are generally 3 default folders placed in a user account once OneDrive is set up for them:

  • Desktop
  • Documents 
  • Pictures 

You can add and delete your own file folders as needed, but it is recommended to not remove or delete the folders named above from your OneDrive account.


Best Practices

  • It is recommended to look through any and all of your files and folders on N:, and deleting content that you no longer want or use before performing the migration.  This will help speed up the file copying process.
  • For purposes here, this guide will recommend to use the "Documents" folder in your BU OneDrive as the target you are moving your files from "N:" drive into 
  • Follow the steps below through the use of a BU campus computer: a Windows office desktop or laptop for staff, or a lab computer for students.
  • Once the process is completed, do not use the N: drive any further

Process Steps


1) Open up your actual N: drive folder through the File Explorer icon (the yellow file folder)


2) Scroll on your left hand side to locate the N: drive, then click on it.  You will know it is your N: drive because it will have your BU computer username in front.


3) Click on a file or folder in your N: drive, then on the keyboard:

3) Ctrl + A (to highlight everything)

4) Ctrl + X (to tell the computer you want to 'cut' all the selected items)

4) Go click on your OneDrive Account from the left hand column. Your OneDrive will have the "name - Brandon University" header as seen below. 


5) Double click on the Documents folder, then on the keyboard, press Ctrl + V (to paste all the items you selected from your N: drive into the new location)


You will then see a file copying progress bar.  Depending on how many files you previously had on the N drive, this process may take some time. Please do not close down the computer until the copying has completed, the progress bar will simply disappear once the file move is complete.



One the process is complete, all your files will be within the Documents folder of your BU OneDrive account. You may move or re-organize files as you wish.



When it completes, you may need to fix a few sync errors.

  • folder names that are too long, 
  • problems with OneNote or PST files (for staff only) 

The errors will show up as a small red 'X' on the document. When the synching is complete you are done. Just disconnect and ignore the N drive from now on.



Contact the Helpdesk directly for assistance with any steps along the way.