How to transfer files from locked OneDrive

Question

My child has been using Microsoft Word and saving files to OneDrive under our shared family plan. The email that was used is no longer usable in any form. This occurred suddenly and we did not have time to transfer the files. Is there a way to still transfer his files to the new OneDrive?

Answer 1

If the OneDrive account is locked and the email address for that Microsoft account is no longer usable or accessible, the files stored in that OneDrive cannot be accessed or transferred through normal OneDrive features such as sync or copy between accounts.

To move or copy files between OneDrive accounts, access to both accounts is required so the files can be selected and copied in File Explorer or Finder, then pasted into the destination OneDrive, where they will sync to the new account. This process depends on being able to sign in to the original OneDrive account first.

Because the original email/account is no longer usable and there is no access to that OneDrive, there is no supported way in the provided information to transfer those files into a new OneDrive.

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References:

• Copy, transfer or import files to your personal OneDrive

Answer 2

Hi Rebecca,

As per checking, when the OneDrive account itself is locked, and the email tied to it is no longer usable, therefore, you cannot directly transfer or access those file yourself. OneDrive storage is strictly tied to the Microsoft account that owns it, and without access of the account, the files remains inaccessible and transfer is not possible.