---
title: What's Changing as We Move from Network Drives to SharePoint Online
description: Discover the benefits of transitioning from network drives to SharePoint Online and how Microsoft Copilot can enhance your workflow and collaboration.
---

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# [What's Changing as We Move from Network Drives to SharePoint Online](https://blog.vorsite.com/whats-changing-as-we-move-from-network-drives-to-sharepoint-online)

 Written by [Aaron Nettles](https://blog.vorsite.com/author/aaron-nettles) | October 2, 2025

I work with several companies looking to transition to SharePoint Online (do I still need to say Online?) from a network file share or fix an existing migration. Communication and training with employees are key factors. I wanted to share a recently updated version of a communication —refined with the help of Copilot—that I plan to use. The goal is to help employees understand the changes, the benefits, and most importantly, their role in making this transition successful.

**Employee involvement is often underestimated. It’s essential for leadership to set the tone**,

support the change and make it clear that employees are responsible for adopting new ways of working and keeping their digital skills up to date.** **

We’re moving to modern, cloud-based collaboration—and now with Microsoft Copilot, you’ll get even more out of these tools:

- **Moving from:** Files on Network Drives **To:** SharePoint Online **Why it matters:** Access your files anywhere, on any device, with built-in security and compliance. **Copilot Advantage:** Quickly summarize documents, draft content, and find what you need without digging through folders.
- **Moving from:** Mapped Drives **To:** Open in Browser, Teams, or OneDrive **Why it matters:** No more VPN or drive letters—just quick, secure access where you already work. **Copilot Advantage:** Ask Copilot to locate files, generate meeting notes, or pull context from Teams and SharePoint instantly.
- **Moving from:** Limited Version Control **To:** Automatic Version History & Real-Time Editing **Why it matters:** Work together on the same file without overwriting each other and roll back to previous versions anytime. **Copilot Advantage:** Get Copilot to highlight changes, summarize edits, or even draft updates for your team.
- **Moving from:** Emailing Attachments **To:** Sharing Secure Links **Why it matters:** Keep one up-to-date copy, control who can view or edit, and reduce the risk of sending files to the wrong person. **Copilot Advantage:** Let Copilot draft sharing messages and ensure permissions are set correctly.

****

**Your Role in Making This Successful**

- **Learn the New Tools **Explore SharePoint, Teams, and OneDrive. Use the training resources provided—and try Copilot to speed up your learning.
- **Adopt New Ways of Working **Stop saving files to old network drives. Use SharePoint or synced OneDrive folders instead. Copilot can help you organize and find content faster.
- **Use Secure Sharing Practices **Share links, not attachments. Always check permissions before sharing. Copilot can guide you through best practices.
- **Organize and Tag Content **Follow the agreed folder structure and naming conventions, so content stays easy to find. Copilot can suggest tags and help keep things consistent.
- **Report Issues Early **If something doesn’t work as expected, let the support team know right away.

[View full post](https://blog.vorsite.com/whats-changing-as-we-move-from-network-drives-to-sharepoint-online)

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