How-To Last updated: 2025-12-13

Migrate Google Vault File Archives to SharePoint & OneDrive | Complete Guide

Learn how to migrate Google Vault file archives to SharePoint, OneDrive, or Azure Blob Storage with our comprehensive guide. Discover the 3-stage migration process, destination options, and best practices for enterprise data transfer.

Overview

Google Vault file archives migration enables organizations to transfer permanently deleted files from Google Vault to Microsoft 365 platforms including SharePoint, OneDrive, or Azure Blob Storage. These archived files contain valuable historical data that organizations need to preserve for compliance and legal requirements.

Cloudiway's migration solution leverages Microsoft's secure infrastructure for efficient, enterprise-grade data transfer while preserving your complete file history and metadata. Our platform ensures zero data loss during the migration process.

Integrated Migration Required

Google Drive and Vault file archives must be migrated together using the same Cloudiway product. This ensures proper organization and prevents content fragmentation across your Microsoft 365 environment.

What is Google Vault?

Google Vault is Google's enterprise archiving and eDiscovery solution that preserves data for compliance purposes. When users delete files from Google Drive, these files may continue to exist in Vault based on your organization's retention policies.

Key characteristics of Google Vault file archives:

  • Contains permanently deleted files no longer accessible in Google Drive
  • Preserved according to organizational retention policies
  • Essential for legal hold and compliance requirements
  • Maintains file metadata and version history
  • Searchable for eDiscovery purposes

How Google Vault File Migration Works

Migration Architecture

Our Google Vault file migration uses an advanced three-stage process that ensures data integrity and optimal performance. The system handles large volumes of archived files efficiently while maintaining all original metadata and file properties.

During migration, vault archive contents are organized into designated folders within your target destination, keeping them clearly separated from active Google Drive content for easy identification and management.

Advanced Migration Algorithm

Cloudiway's proprietary migration algorithm ensures rapid, comprehensive data transfer by optimizing the extraction and upload process. Key features include:

  • Intelligent file deduplication to minimize transfer time
  • Parallel processing for maximum throughput
  • Automatic retry mechanisms for failed transfers
  • Real-time progress monitoring and reporting

3-Stage Migration Process

The Google Vault file archives migration operates through three distinct stages designed for maximum efficiency and data integrity:

1

Export & Compression Stage

Permanently deleted items are securely exported from Google Vault and compressed into optimized archive files. This compression reduces bandwidth requirements by up to 70% while preserving all file metadata and properties.

Files packaged with complete metadata preservation
2

Secure Upload to Azure Blob Storage

Compressed files upload directly to Microsoft's enterprise-grade Azure Blob Storage using encrypted connections. This Microsoft-managed infrastructure ensures maximum security, compliance, and optimal performance for large data volumes.

TLS 1.3 encrypted transfer to Microsoft infrastructure
3

Final Destination Transfer

Data transfers from Microsoft's Azure Blob Storage to your chosen final destination—SharePoint document libraries, OneDrive for Business accounts, or Azure Blob Storage for long-term archival. Files are automatically organized with clear vault archive identification.

Files organized with "Vault Archive" folder structure

Migration Destination Options

Choose the optimal destination for your Google Vault file archives based on your organization's requirements:

SharePoint Online

Migrate to SharePoint document libraries for team access and collaboration. Ideal for organizations requiring advanced search capabilities and compliance features.

✓ Advanced eDiscovery
✓ Content search
✓ Team collaboration

OneDrive for Business

Personal vault archives migrate to individual user OneDrive accounts. Perfect for maintaining personal file histories and user-specific archived content.

✓ Personal file access
✓ Individual storage
✓ User-specific archives

Azure Blob Storage

Cold storage option for long-term archival with cost-effective storage tiers. Ideal for organizations with large archive volumes requiring minimal access.

✓ Low-cost storage
✓ Long-term retention
✓ Compliance features

Choosing the Right Destination

Consider your compliance and access requirements when selecting a destination. SharePoint offers superior search and eDiscovery capabilities for active use, while Azure Blob Storage provides the most cost-effective solution for rarely accessed vault archives.

Best Practices & Recommendations

Migrate Google Drive and Vault Together

Always migrate Google Drive content alongside Vault archives using the same migration project to maintain data organization, prevent fragmentation, and ensure complete data transfer.

Plan Storage Allocation Carefully

Google Vault archives can contain substantial amounts of data. Verify you have sufficient storage quota in your target Microsoft 365 destination before starting the migration process.

Configure Retention Policies in Microsoft 365

Review your Google Vault retention policies and configure equivalent Microsoft Purview retention policies in Microsoft 365 to maintain compliance and legal requirements.

Create Dedicated Vault Archive Organization

Organize vault archive content in clearly labeled dedicated folders or libraries (e.g., "Google Vault Archives") to distinguish it from active files and facilitate future management.

Test Migration with Pilot Group

Start with a small pilot group to test the migration process, verify data integrity, and validate your destination configuration before migrating all vault archives.

Pre-Migration Checklist

Before starting your Google Vault file archives migration, ensure you have:
  • Verified Google Vault access permissions
  • Calculated total archive storage requirements
  • Configured Microsoft 365 retention policies
  • Set up destination folder structure
  • Conducted pilot migration testing

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