I need to get a departed employee's OneDrive files to their replacement. I can open the OneDrive through the Microsoft 365 admin center, but when I select everything, I only see copy and move options. Is the ZIP download gone, or is there another way to get the files locally?
Did the OneDrive download button disappear for departed employees?
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midweek rummager
Answers
Check whether the selection includes a OneNote notebook. That can make the Download button disappear. Deselect the notebook and see if the button comes back for the other files.
You may also have better luck selecting folders individually instead of using the top checkbox to select everything. The missing button doesn't necessarily mean Microsoft removed the feature.
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For a large OneDrive, I'd look at Purview eDiscovery rather than relying on one browser download. The web option can be unreliable when the file count or total size gets high, and it won't download OneNote notebooks that way.
It may take longer, so check the export contents against what you need before treating it as a complete handoff.
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Downloading a ZIP is convenient, but it doesn't preserve version history. If the replacement needs more than the current files, check those requirements before choosing an export method.
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If a local archive isn't essential, copying the files to a folder the replacement can access is another option. Copy is less disruptive than moving the original content. Check what metadata and history the chosen method retains before using it for an archive.
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For a repeatable offboarding process, PnP PowerShell or a backup product with an export feature could be worth looking at. That takes more setup than a quick ZIP, but may be easier to reuse.
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cAsualCalculations:
The notebook needs separate handling. Don't assume it was included just because the rest of the files downloaded.