OneDrive is widely used by individuals and businesses to store files, share documents, and access work from different devices. For Windows 11 users, it is also closely connected with the operating system. Users can sync OneDrive folders with File Explorer, access cloud files on their computers, and work with documents without opening a browser every time.

However, using OneDrive on Windows 11 does not remove the need for migration and backup. A business may need to move files from one Microsoft 365 account to another, transfer data between tenants, consolidate several OneDrive accounts, or create a separate copy of important files. Home users may also want to move their data to a new account or keep an additional backup outside the cloud.

Migration and backup are related, but they are not the same task. Migration moves data from one location to another. Backup creates an additional copy that can be used for recovery later. Choosing software that handles the right task can save time and help prevent data loss.

This article reviews what to look for in OneDrive migration and backup software for Windows 11, discusses some tools worth considering, and explains how to plan a safe transfer or backup.

Why Windows 11 Users Need OneDrive Migration and Backup Software

Windows 11 makes OneDrive easy to use. Once the sync app is configured, users can see their cloud files in File Explorer and work with them like regular folders. Files On-Demand also helps save local disk space by keeping some files online until they are opened.

But syncing is not the same as migrating or backing up data.

Suppose an employee changes their Microsoft 365 account. Signing in to the new account on Windows 11 does not automatically move all the files, folder structures, and required data from the old account. Similarly, if a user deletes a synced file, that deletion may also appear in the cloud.

Microsoft provides recovery options such as the Recycle Bin, version history, and Restore your OneDrive. These are useful for everyday recovery, but they have limits. For example, Microsoft's Restore your OneDrive feature can roll back file and folder activity within the previous 30 days for eligible Microsoft 365 subscribers. Permanently deleted items in the Recycle Bin cannot be recovered through that feature.

A separate backup gives users and administrators another copy of important data. Migration software, meanwhile, helps move files between accounts, tenants, or cloud platforms without relying entirely on manual downloads and uploads.

1. Shoviv OneDrive Migration Tool

Shoviv OneDrive Migration Tool is designed to move data from OneDrive to another supported cloud destination. It is a Windows-based application and its product page lists Windows 11 among the supported environments.

The tool supports OneDrive Personal and OneDrive for Business as sources. Its listed capabilities include bulk migration, delta migration, scheduling, filters, thread count management, retry attempts, and version migration. It also provides a demo that allows users to evaluate the software before purchasing.
Shoviv Software

Some useful features to review include:
- Bulk migration: Process multiple OneDrive drives rather than transferring every account manually.
- Incremental migration: Transfer remaining or changed data in supported migration scenarios.
- Scheduling: Plan migration jobs for a suitable time.
- Advanced filters: Select files based on criteria such as file type, size, folder, and date.
- Version migration: Transfer supported file versions when required.
- Retry attempts: Help manage files that encounter temporary processing issues.
Shoviv also supports migration from OneDrive to destinations such as Google Drive, Amazon S3, SharePoint, Box, Dropbox, Azure Blob, and other listed platforms. The exact source and target combinations should be checked before starting a project.

This tool is worth considering when a business wants a Windows application to move OneDrive data between accounts or to another cloud platform. It can also be useful for organizations that need to migrate selected folders rather than transfer everything.

Who should consider it?

IT administrators, consultants, and businesses that need to migrate multiple OneDrive accounts or move data to another supported cloud service.

Official product page: https://www.shoviv.com/onedrive-migrator.html

2. Shoviv OneDrive Backup

Shoviv OneDrive Backup is a separate product intended for backing up and restoring OneDrive data. It is important not to confuse it with the migration tool. Migration moves data to another platform or account, while backup creates a separate copy for later recovery.

The product information highlights backup and restore for OneDrive, along with the ability to process multiple drives concurrently. It is a suitable option to evaluate when an organization wants to keep a separate copy of OneDrive data rather than relying only on cloud synchronization.
Shoviv Software

When assessing this product, pay attention to the following:

• Whether it supports the OneDrive account types used by your organization.
• How it handles multiple drives and backup jobs.
• Where the backup data is stored.
• How administrators restore files and folders.
• Whether the software provides enough reporting to identify failed or skipped items. Shoviv also offers a broader Cloud Drive Backup and Restore product. Its listed features include exporting supported cloud drive data to a file system, backing up multiple drives or users concurrently, scheduling backup jobs, applying filters, incremental export, and exporting data from the file system back to cloud storage. Check which features apply to the particular product and license you plan to use.

Who should consider it?

Businesses and administrators looking for a Windows-based OneDrive backup and restore application, especially when they want to maintain a separate copy of cloud data.

Official product page: https://www.shoviv.com/onedrive-backup.html

3. Microsoft Native Cross-Tenant OneDrive Migration

Organizations moving OneDrive accounts between Microsoft 365 tenants should also examine Microsoft's native cross-tenant migration option.

This is designed for situations such as mergers, acquisitions, company restructuring, or tenant consolidation. Administrators establish a relationship between the source and destination tenants, prepare user and group mappings, and schedule the OneDrive moves.

Microsoft documents the ability to schedule up to 4,000 OneDrive accounts in advance. The migration takes place within Microsoft's cloud environment, and the user's OneDrive may become read-only for a short period during the move. A redirect can also be placed at the old location so existing links can continue to direct users to the new location, provided they have access there.

This option has important prerequisites. For example, destination users and groups need to be prepared, the correct migration licenses must be available, and existing destination OneDrive sites can cause migration failures.

It is also not a backup product. It is designed to move OneDrive content between supported tenants, not to maintain a separate recovery copy.

Who should consider it?

Microsoft 365 administrators managing tenant-to-tenant OneDrive moves who are comfortable with PowerShell and Microsoft's migration requirements.

Official documentation: Microsoft Cross-Tenant OneDrive Migration

4. ShareGate Migrate

ShareGate Migrate is a migration platform for Microsoft 365 environments. It supports tenant-to-tenant migration involving OneDrive for Business, SharePoint, Teams, and other Microsoft 365 content.

Its OneDrive migration capabilities can be useful for administrators who are already using ShareGate for broader Microsoft 365 migration work. The company documents copying content from OneDrive for Business and My Sites, and its migration platform supports Microsoft 365 tenant-to-tenant projects.

ShareGate is more suited to structured IT migration projects than simple personal file copying. Administrators should review permissions, destination account preparation, and the exact content types supported by their chosen workflow.

It is also important to understand that ShareGate Migrate is a migration product, not a replacement for a dedicated backup system.

Who should consider it?

IT teams and consultants managing larger Microsoft 365 migration projects that include OneDrive and SharePoint.

5. Microsoft 365 Backup

Microsoft 365 Backup is a Microsoft-managed backup service for supported Microsoft 365 workloads, including OneDrive.

It is different from the OneDrive sync client and Windows 11's settings backup. Administrators can configure backup policies and restore backed-up data from earlier recovery points. Microsoft documents both account-level recovery and granular restore for OneDrive and SharePoint, allowing administrators to browse and search recent restore points for selected files and folders.

This service may suit businesses that want to manage backup within the Microsoft 365 environment rather than install a separate desktop backup application.

Before choosing it, review the service's pricing, retention policy, recovery options, and administrative requirements. Also consider whether your organization needs a separate copy outside Microsoft 365.

Who should consider it?

Organizations that prefer a Microsoft-managed backup service and want to protect multiple Microsoft 365 workloads.