Migrate Your Files to OneDrive Easily with Known Folder Move
Published Jun 27 2018 01:20 PM 412K Views
Microsoft

We’ve heard requests from several customers asking to make it easier to move their user data into OneDrive. To have a single button that they could push that would move content from the Desktop, Documents, and Pictures folders to OneDrive.

 

Today, we are making this a reality with the announcement of Known Folder Move (KFM) for OneDrive that will start rolling out to Targeted Release customers this week.

 

Known folders are global pointers in Windows representing a location on the user’s drive. They help users to organize their most important files and access them across different applications. KFM helps you move your docs, desktop, and pictures into OneDrive. Even the Screenshots and Camera Roll folders are included when the Picture folder has opted into KFM.

 

Before KFM:

Windows ExplorerWindows Explorer

After KFM:

Windows Explore w/ KFMWindows Explore w/ KFM

 

Not much changed, right? That’s the idea. User content is automatically synced to OneDrive with no disruption to productivity. Behind the scenes, KFM moves content into OneDrive so it’s always synced to the cloud, protected, and accessible from all your devices. 

 

If you’re an IT admin, you can deploy a group policy (more details below) to users in your organization to encourage them to perform KFM. Eligible end users can get to the KFM experience if they click on one of the KFM toast notifications or in OneDrive settings > AutoSave > Update folders.

Update Folders settingUpdate Folders setting

This is what the Known Folder Move experience looks like for end users. The KFM experience launches and does a brief scan for any unsupported files

KFM screenKFM screen 

 The scan shows all files are supported and the user now has the option to move their folders to OneDrive.

KFM end user screenKFM end user screen

If you disable or do not configure this setting, the "Set up protection of important folders" window won't appear automatically for your users.

 

If you set a group policy, then here is the experience the user will see

Group PolicyGroup Policy

 If the user doesn't perform the move, a large activity center message displays:

IT Policy for KFMIT Policy for KFM

If the user chooses to close the message, then a smaller message is displayed and cannot be dismissed until the user completes the move.

Forced pop-upForced pop-up

Silently redirect Windows known folders to OneDrive

This setting lets you redirect your users' Documents, Picture, and Desktop folders to OneDrive without user interaction. This policy works when all known folders are empty, and on folders redirected to a different OneDrive account. We recommend using this policy together with "Prompt users to move Windows known folders to OneDrive."

 

When you enable this policy, future releases will no longer check for empty known folders. Instead, known folders will be redirected and content within them will be moved.

 

If you enable this setting and provide your tenant ID, you can choose whether to display a notification to users after their folders have been redirected.

 

If you disable or do not configure this setting, your users' known folders will not be silently redirected to OneDrive. Future iterations of this group policy will support Known Folder Move.

 

After this policy is set with the notification flag the end user will see a toast:

ToastToast

Prevent users from redirecting their Windows known folders

This setting forces users to keep their Documents, Pictures, and Desktop folders directed to OneDrive. 

If you enable this setting, the "Stop protecting" button in the "Set up protection of important folders" window will be disabled and users will receive an error if they try to stop syncing a known folder.

If you disable or do not configure this setting, users can choose to redirect their known folders back to their PC.

 

When will Known Folder Move be available?

  • This feature will start to roll-out this week to our Targeted Release customers
  • If you are an Office or Windows insider, you may start to see it next week
  • KFM will be available to all users by the end of July

As always, please leave feedback and let us know what you think or visit our UserVoice page to upvote or suggest new OneDrive functionality!

 

- The OneDrive Team

 

Some FAQ's for IT Administrators

Can I automate this as an IT admin?

Yes. See information about group policies above. More documentation will be available once KFM is fully rolled out.

 

Is there an Intune package I can use?

We are working to integrate the ADMX/ADML packages KFM with Windows Intune later this year.

 

Can I use this with Silent Account Configuration or other group policies?

Yes, you can use these group policies alongside any other group policies including Silent Account Configuration. Just make sure you don’t set policies that conflict with one another.

 

What operating systems does KFM work with?

Known Folder Move works with Windows 7, Windows 8/8.1 as well as Windows 10.

 

What is the difference between Folder Redirection and Folder Migration?

  • Folder Redirection redirects a local Windows folder to an equivalent folder in OneDrive but does not migrate any content from the local folder to OneDrive. That’s why folder redirection should only be used on brand new machines that don’t have existing content.
  • Folder Migration redirects a local Windows folder to an equivalent folder in OneDrive and does migrate the content from the local folder to an equivalent folder in OneDrive. Folder migration can be used on brand new or existing devices with or without content.
  • In general, we suggest you use folder migration over folder redirection whenever possible.

Are there any limitations on the files that can be moved to OneDrive as part of this process?

There are some limitations for supported files in the OneDrive sync client in general and those are listed here. In addition, there are some scenarios that KFM doesn’t support yet and will be documented in more detail in the future. One of those limitations is that locally created OneNote files can’t be moved to OneDrive through the KFM experience. If you have OneNote saved locally, please visit our support site on how to move it to OneDrive here

 

 

274 Comments
Iron Contributor

@Santosh Seth I don't think you get happy if users download something as big as hundreds of MB's or GB's which then starts uploading to their OneDrive's? I think the download folder should be seen as temporary storage, after that the user should move it to a better location.

Copper Contributor

DOES ANYONE KNOW HOW MUCH STORAGE (DRIVE ONE) HOLDS?? KB'S??

Copper Contributor

@Domino wiit's 1TB per user

Copper Contributor

WOW!!!

THANK YOU!!!!

FINALLY SOMETHING I LIKE ABOUT WINDOWS 10!!! LOL.

Brass Contributor

FYI, I asked at the Microsoft Ignite conference today and was told not all tenants have this Known Folder Move feature enabled yet, but will soon.

Copper Contributor

Still issues with KFM.

 

When configuring KFM via Group policy Management, it doesn't matter if I set it up via Group Policy or Regedit, result is the same. I log in with a new account, everything works well, OneDrive account gets set by itself, creates Desktop, Documents and Pictures folder, but doesn't merge them to OneDrive folder itself.


Any ideas?

 Capture.PNG

Microsoft

@Stephen Rose thanks for sharing!

I've tried on 1803 with automation script and it works. But when I try on 1809 with Powershell Script, it didn't work.

 

Is there anything change?

 

Brass Contributor

Hey @Stephen Rose

Great work with Known Folder Move migration.
Any plans to introduce support to migrate Known Folder from "legacy folder redirection to file share with offline files" of Known Folder to OneDrive?
That would be powerful and would reduce the need to migrate legacy personal home drive data in the backend with the SharePoint migration tool.

Thanks in advanced :)

Copper Contributor

I have something I haven't seen here.  We migrated from Personal files shares on the network to OneDrive for Business using Sharegate, KFM came out in the middle of the process.  Know we want to redirect the known folders to OneDrive, how do I go about that?  Thinking KFM isn't really the way, as I don't want it to move content, but I do want the files in the Cloud to sync with laptops.  I would like sync on demand, but still on Win7 and I don't think sync on demand works with it.  

 

Just got the green light to move the company to Win10.  

What should be also addressed? When the wizard for KFM/KFR starts and computer is on metered computer where syncing is automatically paused by OneDrive client, the wizard will get stuck on "Getting ready…" message to forever.

Copper Contributor

Is there allready a "release date" for the Intune support? (OMA-URI is also fine)

Copper Contributor

Hello,

 

Still looking a place to download ADMX files to use this great feature 

Could you give us a feed back about this ?

 

Thanks

Microsoft

@Christophe PETIT

 

The GPOs are here: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/OneDrive/use-group-policy#KFMOptInWithWizard 

 

We currently don't have MDM controls for this yet.

 
 
 
Copper Contributor

It would be useful as an admin(via GPO) to select which known folders to redirect.

 

For example not all our PC's have the same desktop shortcuts so we wouldn't want to redirect it otherwise confusion could set in with dead shortcuts when moving to a PC without the associated application.

 

Also would want to combine this with selective sync as hard drive space on a PC is sometimes tight and a heavy user could potentially fill it themselves. Not tried selective sync yet but hope it works somewhat like IMAP where it downloads the headers in this case a place holder for each file and folder then downloads it when the user tries to access it?

 

Thanks,

 

Robbie

Copper Contributor

Do you have any solution for migration classic server Home folder to onedrive for domain administrators?

Iron Contributor
I just want to confirm that the $RECYCLE.BIN folder will be visible on OneDrive under the Desktop, Documents and Pictures folders created by the KFM policy.
Microsoft

@Igor Karon

 

KFM does not effect anything on the desktop other than the files. It's just redirecting the files on the desktop, not the desktop services.

Microsoft

@Filip Kohout

 

OneDrive doesn't support service accounts. I would suggest using the SharePoint Migration Tool Kit (SPMT) and moving it to SharePoint for multi-user access.

Iron Contributor
@Stephen Rose When I go to the online OneDrive after enabling the KFM policy I see a $RECYCLE.BIN folder created in Documents, Desktop and Pictures. I just want to confirm that this is expected and make my users aware of it.
Brass Contributor

Hi

 

Is it possible to have the know folder redirection enabled apart from the desktop folder?
When I was testing on different computers and if they both had the same shortcut, the shortcuts were being duplicated. Which created a very messy desktop especially after logging in to a few computers.

 

Peter

Iron Contributor

Why does a dialog box which demands user action also display "You're all set"? Designed by committee?

Steel Contributor

Where do I find the Group Policy setting to turn this on?  I don't see that information anywhere in this post.

Copper Contributor

You have to sign into your your microsoft 

account.  Then u can post all day long. 

Copper Contributor

If a user chooses to ignore the initial prompt, is there any way to force it to re-appear?  I understand that if the user opens the sync client, they'll see the reminder message but I'd like our users to see the very first window that's right in their face.

 

Thanks,

Michael

Steel Contributor

I would love this option as well.  No one ever opens up the OneDrive icon from the task bar.  I'd like it to pop up ever time they log on or something like that.  Only other option is to do the silent method but I'd rather not have to go that route.

Iron Contributor
@Mike Boehm I am in the middle of migration to Folder Protection from Redirected Folders. We enabled both the "Silently redirect Windows known folders to OneDrive" and "Prompt users to move Windows known folders to OneDrive". It will try to enable the policy automatically and if it fails it will switch to prompt policy and show the standard KFM screen with the error message. We of course also enabled the "Prevent users from redirecting their Windows know folders to their PC". Since we use Folder Redirection I migrated content for user with a lot of data to OneDrive using the SharePoint Migration Tool. Without that step the redirection policy would copy all files back to the user's computer on first logon which could potentially take forever...
Copper Contributor

As of now where are we with OneDrive KFM migration being a part of Intune- - are there any built in policies now?   I enabled the redirection but I didn't get any prompts to enable it (as a user) and it doesn't seem to happen on it's own. . . .  

 

What's the best way of implementing currently?  I'm looking to 1- autoredirect new devices 2- AUTOredirection and migrate currently docs to used devices.  And by auto I mean without the user doing anything.

 

thanks

roger

Copper Contributor

Hey @Stephen Rose , Dumb question... but our organization is still on a windows server 2008 domain controller. Can we still take advantage of this KFM feature? I have checked group policy management editor and I don't see the area to change One Drive settings. Should we update our domain controller? Does it need a certain KB ? Thanks!

Bronze Contributor

@dedwards43 You'll need to add the admx templates to your policy store before they show up in group policy editor.  You can find them on a computer with a current onedrive client installed.  They'll be inside the OneDrive folder, under a folder with the version number, and then under 'ADM'. 

 

For example: 

..\19.067.0404.0004\adm\

Copper Contributor
@Steve Whitcher , Perfect! Thanks for the quick response!
Copper Contributor

We are currently trying to introduce OneDrive in conjunction with KFM. Unfortunately we still have a problem with the language at KFM.

Since our default language in O365 is German, KFM always redirects the folders to German. But this is a problem for foreign colleagues. 

 

We found out that the AD attribute prefferedLanguage affects the language in O365. The attribute also changes the language of the MySite, but the folders are still redirected to German. Does anyone know what to do to make KFM redirect folders in the correct language?

 

Copper Contributor

@bennywagner 

We had the same problem.

spent multiple hours with Microsoft,

but there is no fix from them has of now. It’s really all locked to the tenant language. Even email alerts send to users will benim that language. (Mostly when you delete many files on onedrive) the email we had to create a rule to catch the email, create a new one in the right language and send that one. From my experience KFM will suck in multi language scenarios you should use good old folder redirection.

Steel Contributor

If I turn on the Silent version of KFM, what happens for users if they have a OneNote files in Documents or something else that would prevent the move from working?  Will it prompt them that there's a problem?  Will it simply do nothing?  Will it put the notification blurb in the OneDrive tray icon area?

 

We're thinking about doing the Silent method first to see how many people it works for.  And then turning on the Prompt version afterward for anyone that didn't get moved.

Iron Contributor
@Mike Boehm Enable both at the same time. If the Silent fails for any reason than it will show the Prompt to the user to fix the issue and try again. I am just finishing a 450+ OneDrive migration with previous Folder Redirection... It was two months full of fun...
Steel Contributor

I know that's what happens if we enable both.  I'm specifically wondering what happens if we only enable the silent one to get the easy ones that don't require any interaction out of the way as phase 1.

Copper Contributor

Hello, I have a question.

Do I need Azure AD to enable "enable silent configuration" or can I use only GPO and my on-premise domain

Thanks

Copper Contributor

Hello,

 

We use to redirect manually folders (documents, desktop) before this. For knew users, the GPO works fine and Documents, Pictures and Desktop folders move to user's Onedrive profile. But for the old user, new folders are created (like Documents1...) 

Is there a way to map with existants folders ?

 

Thanks 

 

Iron Contributor

Is there a way to tell which users Known Folders are syncing to OneDrive for Business? Is there a report that can be generated? @Stephen Rose 

Brass Contributor

that is a great question, one that i have been  asked a couple times myself.

Silver Contributor

@Faiza Qadri, currently, I don't believe there is a way to get a list of users who are using KFM.  I'd like to find a way as well.

Copper Contributor

So I've created a script that would allow administrators to see what the directory path is for Desktop, Documents, & Pictures for each main profile on each machine on the domain. Find it here: https://turnitoffandon.tech/check-to-see-if-your-users-have-signed-up-for-onedrive-known-folder-move...

Copper Contributor

Hi All,

 

Has anyone been able to come up with a strategy for migrating from tradition Folder Redirection to OneDrive for Business?

 

I need to do this for around 500 users and would like the migrate their data using the SharePoint Migration Tool. The difficulty seems to be with removing the previous Folder Redirection which is deployed via Group Policy. If the Folder Redirection policies removal behaviour is set to "Restore contents" but "Move Contents to the new location" is Disabled the files are copied down to the workstation anyway when the user is removed from the Folder Redirection policy. Known Folder move will then try to copy everything up but will warn that every file has a conflict (because I have already pre-seeded the data anway).

 

The only option I can think of is to leave the Folder Redirection policy removal behaviour as "Leave Contents". Then create another policy that sets the Folder Redirection locations back to the local user profile with the "Move the contents to the new location" set to disabled in this policy.

 

Once I know that policy has taken effect, I will need to remove the user from it to allow Known Folder move to do its thing.

 

This seems like a logistical nightmare though. Id appreciate any thoughts from those who have had to back out of traditional Folder Redirection before moving to OfB.

 

Thanks.  

Brass Contributor

We too are looking to use KFM and we also just migrated a site, with ~650 users, that had several folder redirection policies in place, not a single one was built the same way, so that was fun.  I had to slowly change the policies to use the same location and direct it to the users appropriate local directory and I had set it to MOVE the data back to the original location once the policy was removed. 

 

Note, this did cause some logon delays for some users but not for most and happened only once as the users data moved back from the remote server.

 

We had to do this as the migration tool did not recognize the redirect policy and once users migrated all the data in their profiles were gone unless we removed folder redirection from the old domain first, as our domain does not use folder redirection.  From there we could then apply the OneDrive KFM policy to the new users because the old folder redirect policy was gone and the users data were all back where they belong, locally.

 

Hope that helps, have a good day.

Copper Contributor

Thanks Roger. Unfortunately moving the data back locally is messy due to some users moving between machines (and some in different sites). Data is copied between sites using DFSR. Some users also have in excess of 80GB in their home folder so that could result in reasonably long login times I suspect.

 

I am seeking advice from the Microsoft fast track team, and will also report back if I come up with any bright ideas. I might do something with a WMI filter that removes the change back policy after it has applied. So that KFM can then proceed automatically.

Copper Contributor

Silent opt in KFM is failing for a large percentage of our users during an initial test roll out. How can we determine what caused KFM to fail without having to ask the user to walk through enabling KFM from the Sync Client so we can see the results. Ideally the KFM scan would place an entry in the Application event log with an event source of Microsoft OneDrive. At the very least a KFM scan log file could be dropped in C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\OneDrive\logs\Business1. 

Copper Contributor

I gave up on KFM doing the deed and added other folders, all done in PowerShell to move the folder locations into a valid OneDrive app provisioned to a user.  It's still in place for the cute toast to appear et al.. but the heavy lifting is still done by script.

Copper Contributor

Hey @Ian Watts . Mind sharing the script with us please? I am also having similar issues with KFM and I believe your script can really help me out.

Steel Contributor

@Stephen Rose Love KFM. Is there on the roadmap to by default (or possible to choose via policies) perform KFM on additional important folders? At least the ones that are accessible in Quick Access by default so we know these are protected?

 

quickaccess.png

Uservoice: https://onedrive.uservoice.com/forums/913522-onedrive-on-windows/suggestions/34824721-migrate-more-f...

Brass Contributor

So this is syncing a copy of these files to OneDrive and users will continue to open the files on their local hard drive per usual? 

And silent mode is possible via a deployment or a GPO? 

Yes, users still use Windows Explorer to access the files, e.g., "This PC -> Documents"

 

Because OneDrive is executed in the user context and not a computer context, you can simply test this configuration using a test user and familiarize yourself with the process and the end-user experience.

 

You should definitely use a GPO to standardize the OneDrive configuration.

 

-Thomas

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