H: Drive to OneDrive migration
We are migrating files saved on your H: Drive to Microsoft OneDrive for Business as part of ICT’s work to decommission the H: Drive for all Imperial staff and students.
In order to complete this work, your H: Drive will be scanned to prepare your files for migration and then your files will be migrated to your OneDrive.
As of August 2023, staff in professional services and Imperial College Business School (ICBS) have been migrated, as well as most departments in the Faculties of Natural Sciences (FoNS) and Engineering (FoE). Migrations for students have also started in ICBS, FoE and FoNS.
Staff in the remaining departments and the Faculty of Medicine, as well as all Imperial students, will be migrated before the end of the year.
What happens?
Staff
Before your migration
You will be notified by email with two dates:
- A date when your H: Drive will be scanned in preparation for migration
- A date when the migration will take place
Prior to the first date, please ensure you have logged into your OneDrive for Business account with the laptop or desktop computer you normally use. If you are prompted to enter login details, this will be your Imperial username and password.
During your migration
During the scan and the migration, do not open or make any changes to any documents in your H: Drive.
If you have personal information that you don't wish to be transferred to your OneDrive, please move this from your H: Drive before the migration date.
After your migration
After the migration is complete, you will need to restart your device and make sure you are logged into OneDrive to access your files.
Your H: Drive files will be in a folder in your OneDrive labelled 'ICT from old H Drive'. Any files on your desktop will be in a folder in your OneDrive labelled 'Desktop'. Any files in your documents folder will be in a folder in your OneDrive labelled 'Documents'.
I am a Linux user and it does not allow me to access OneDrive. What should I do?
If you are a Linux user, you will need additional software to ensure OneDrive for Business works on your device.
ICT recommends the use of Expandrive in order for you to be able to mount OneDrive.
You can request Expandrive for your device(s) by contacting the ICT Service Desk, who will be in touch to arrange installation.
Do you use EndNote, Articulate Storyline or Camtasia?
If you are an End Note, Articulate Storyline or Camtasia user, you will have to take the following steps to continue to work with your files securely.
Before your migration date, please zip any End Note, Articulate or Camtasia files. Micosoft has provided instructions on zipping files to support you to do this.
To continue to work on your files after migration, you should download them from your OneDrive to your C: Drive. This can be found by going to File Explorer and will be on the left hand side menu.
To select the right folder within your C: Drive, open the folder called Users and then select the subfolder which is your Imperial username. You should save and carry out work on your files
Do not save these files to your desktop as it is synced to your OneDrive.
If you require any support, please contact the ICT Service Desk.
Why are we doing this?
OneDrive for Business is the recommended storage solution for saving personal work files.
It offers you 5TB of storage space for your files, which you can access from any device with an internet connection.
It also allows you to easily share and collaborate on documents with your colleagues.
Find out more about the benefits of OneDrive on our using shared devices on our campuses web page.
Students
Before your migration
You will be notified by email with two dates:
- A date when your H: Drive will be scanned in preparation for migration
- A date when the migration will take place
Prior to the first date, please ensure you have logged into your Imperial OneDrive for Business account. If you are prompted to enter login details, this will be your Imperial username and password.
During your migration
During the scan and the migration, do not open or make any changes to any documents in your H: Drive.
If you have personal information that you don't wish to be transferred to your OneDrive, please move this from your H: Drive before the migration date.
After your migration - using a shared device on campus
Anything previously stored in your documents and pictures folders and on your desktop will be in the folder called “ICT from Old H Drive”, which is in your OneDrive. To restore your desktop, you can drag the items from the folder back onto your desktop.
If you download a file when using a shared device and you wish to access it again, you will need to save the file to access it on another device. ICT recommends you save it in your OneDrive, but you can also save it into your documents or pictures folders or on your desktop.
We recommend you use Microsoft Edge as your browser when using shared devices to ensure your preferences and settings are saved. You can find out more on our using shared devices on our campuses web page.
I am a Linux user and it does not allow me to access OneDrive. What should I do?
If you are a Linux user, you will need additional software to ensure OneDrive for Business works on your device.
ICT recommends the use of Expandrive in order for you to be able to mount OneDrive.
You can request Expandrive for your device(s) by contacting the ICT Service Desk, who will be in touch to arrange installation.
Do you use EndNote, Articulate Storyline or Camtasia?
If you are an End Note, Articulate Storyline or Camtasia user, you will have to take the following steps to continue to work with your files securely.
Before your migration date, please zip any End Note, Articulate or Camtasia files. Micosoft has provided instructions on zipping files to support you to do this.
To continue to work on your files after migration, you should download them from your OneDrive to your C: Drive. This can be found by going to File Explorer and will be on the left hand side menu.
To select the right folder within your C: Drive, open the folder called Users and then select the subfolder which is your Imperial username. You should save and carry out work on your files
Do not save these files to your desktop as it is synced to your OneDrive.
If you require any support, please contact the ICT Service Desk.
Where can I get further help?
If you experience any issues during or after your migration, or you have any further questions, please contact the Service Desk.