OneDrive to NAS: Escape Microsoft 365's Shrinking Default Storage

Q: "How are files organized on a NAS after moving from OneDrive?"

"Files land inside a shared folder on the NAS volume as a plain folder hierarchy, matching OneDrive's original folder structure. There is no library or metadata concept to translate, since both sides use ordinary folders."

Q: "Does OneDrive's 2026 storage tightening affect files already synced locally?"

"No, the tightened default applies to how much new storage is provisioned on newly created Microsoft 365 tenants going forward. Files you already have in OneDrive are not deleted or altered; the change affects future allocation, which is exactly why moving a static archive off OneDrive avoids depending on that allowance at all."

Q: "Is the folder structure preserved during the transfer?"

"Yes, all four methods keep nested folders intact. Files marked as online-only through OneDrive's Files On-Demand feature must be set to 'Always keep on this device' before a browser or Synology Cloud Sync copy will work with the actual data rather than a placeholder."

Q: "Does CloudsLinker work with a home NAS behind a router?"

"Only if the NAS is reachable from the internet. CloudsLinker runs in the cloud and connects over SMB using the NAS's host address and port 445, so a home NAS needs a public IP, port forwarding, or a VPN. For a NAS that stays on the local network only, Synology Cloud Sync or QNAP's Hybrid Backup Sync is more practical, since the NAS pulls the files itself."

Q: "How does CloudsLinker connect to OneDrive?"

"CloudsLinker uses Microsoft's official OAuth sign-in. You approve access in a Microsoft window, and if your account exposes more than one drive, you select which one to use. No password is stored."

Q: "What happens if the NAS volume runs out of space?"

"The transfer stops when the volume is full and remaining files are skipped. Check free space against your OneDrive usage before starting, and expand the volume or move in batches if the library is larger than what is currently available."

Q: "Can I move only certain folders instead of my whole OneDrive?"

"Yes. Browser copies let you pick folders manually, Synology Cloud Sync and QNAP HBS let you choose source paths, Rclone uses include and exclude rules, and CloudsLinker lets you select folders and filter by file type or date."

Q: "Is the transfer secure?"

"OneDrive is accessed through Microsoft's OAuth authorization, and the connection is encrypted in transit. SMB traffic on a local network is not encrypted by default, so when exposing a NAS to the internet for a cloud-based transfer, use a VPN or SMB encryption rather than opening port 445 to the public."

Move files from OneDrive to a NAS over SMB using four methods — browser, Synology/QNAP sync, Rclone, and CloudsLinker.

Introduction

A NAS's capacity comes from the drives you install, not from a Microsoft 365 licensing tier that can change without much notice. Microsoft tightened the default OneDrive storage allocation on newly created Microsoft 365 tenants in 2026, so a fresh account can start with a lower ceiling than an older one provisioned under the previous default. Someone managing a large media or project archive who runs into that changed allowance has no lever to pull beyond upgrading the Microsoft 365 plan itself. OneDrive's file-size limit was raised to 250 GB per file, which is generous, but the storage pool around it is still bound to whatever the tenant's licensing currently allows. Moving a static archive onto a NAS trades that dependency for hardware you control outright. The methods below cover the move.

Method 1: Download and Copy over SMB
Method 2: NAS Sync App (Synology Cloud Sync, QNAP HBS)
Method 3: Command-Line Transfer with Rclone
Method 4: Cloud-to-Cloud Transfer with CloudsLinker
Quick Comparison
Practical Tips
Frequently Asked Questions

What is OneDrive?

OneDrive is Microsoft's cloud storage service, bundled with Windows and Microsoft 365. Personal plans start at 5 GB free, and the per-file upload limit is 250 GB.

Subscription-tied capacity: Storage allowance follows the Microsoft 365 licensing tier.
2026 default tightened: Newly created tenants get a lower default storage ceiling than before.
Files On-Demand: Keeps placeholders locally and downloads files when opened.
Windows integration: Built into File Explorer and the Windows sign-in.
File-size ceiling: 250 GB per file, raised from 100 GB.

What is a NAS (SMB)?

A NAS is a device with its own drives that shares files over your network through the SMB protocol. Brands include Synology, QNAP, Asustor, and TrueNAS.

One-time hardware cost: No recurring licensing tier once purchased.
Local network speed: Gigabit access on the same network.
High file-size ceiling: Bound by the file system, commonly many terabytes.
Full ownership: Capacity and access rules are entirely yours to set.
Expandable: Add drives instead of buying a bigger licensing tier.

Comparison: OneDrive vs NAS

OneDrive's capacity is set by whichever Microsoft 365 licensing tier applies at the time, including recent changes to new-tenant defaults. A NAS's capacity is set by the drives installed and does not depend on a vendor's licensing decisions.

Feature	OneDrive	NAS (SMB)
Cost Model	Recurring Microsoft 365 subscription	One-time hardware plus drives
Max File Size	250 GB per file	Bound by file system, commonly many terabytes
Default Storage Trend	Tightened for newly created tenants in 2026	Set once by the drives you install
Access Speed	Limited by internet connection	Local gigabit on the LAN
Remote Access	Built in via Microsoft account	Requires setup (VPN, port forwarding)
Best Fit	Active Microsoft 365 collaboration	Long-term archives, self-hosting

Sources: OneDrive plans and pricing, Harvard IT: new OneDrive storage limits

Why Move From OneDrive to a NAS?

Self-hosting on a NAS appeals once OneDrive's storage allowance stops feeling predictable. Common reasons:

Capacity you set, not Microsoft: Drives you install are not affected by future changes to default tenant storage.
No recurring licensing fee: A NAS replaces an ongoing Microsoft 365 storage cost with a one-time hardware purchase.
Local speed for large files: Editing archives over gigabit beats waiting on a download from OneDrive.
Data stays on your premises: Files live on hardware you own rather than a Microsoft-managed tenant.
Self-hosted services: Many NAS units run their own backup, media, and photo apps alongside file storage.

If owning the hardware fits your situation, the method depends on whether the NAS is reachable only on the local network or also from the internet.

Preparing to Transfer from OneDrive to a NAS

Confirm how your NAS is reachable. A device on the local network works with a browser copy, a NAS vendor sync app, or Rclone running on the NAS. A cloud-based transfer with CloudsLinker can only reach it with a public IP, port forwarding, or a VPN, so decide that before picking a method.

Create a destination shared folder on the NAS with an account that has write permission, and note the host IP address. Check that SMB is enabled in the NAS's network settings and that the volume has enough free space.

On the OneDrive side, check which folders are set to Files On-Demand and mark the ones you are moving as Always keep on this device, or use Rclone or CloudsLinker, which read files directly from OneDrive's servers regardless of local sync state.

Method 1: Download and Copy over SMB

Step 1: Download Files from OneDrive

Open OneDrive on the web and sign in. Select the files or folders to move, then choose Download. OneDrive packages folders into a ZIP archive that must be extracted locally once the download finishes.

OneDrive web interface showing a folder selected with the Download option in the toolbar

Step 2: Map the NAS Share and Copy the Files

In Windows File Explorer, right-click This PC, choose Map network drive, and enter \\NAS-IP-address\share with the NAS account credentials. On macOS, use Finder's Cmd+K and enter smb://NAS-IP-address instead. Drag the extracted files into the mapped location.

Windows File Explorer Map Network Drive dialog with a NAS share path entered, and the mapped drive appearing under This PC with files being dragged in

This is the most direct method and needs no extra software. Because the same data downloads and then re-uploads through your computer, a large OneDrive account is slow this way.

Method 2: NAS Sync App (Synology Cloud Sync, QNAP HBS)

Step 1: Install the Cloud Sync App on the NAS

Most NAS brands offer an app that connects directly to OneDrive. On Synology this is Cloud Sync; on QNAP it is Hybrid Backup Sync (HBS 3). Install it from the NAS package center and open it.

Synology Cloud Sync task configuration on DSM with Microsoft OneDrive selected as the connected cloud service and a local shared folder chosen as the destination

Step 2: Authorize OneDrive and Set the Sync Direction

Sign in to Microsoft through the app's OAuth flow, choose the OneDrive folders to pull, and set the sync direction to download remote changes only so files move onto the NAS. Pick a local shared folder as the target and start the task.

This is the most practical method for a NAS behind a home router, since the device pulls files itself without exposing it to the internet. The app runs on the NAS, so your computer does not need to stay on.

Method 3: Command-Line Transfer with Rclone

Step 1: Configure a OneDrive Remote

Rclone can run on the NAS itself or on a computer with the share mounted. Run rclone config, add a onedrive remote, and complete Microsoft's OAuth flow. On the NAS, install Rclone through the package center or a container.

Rclone download and configuration page used to set up the OneDrive remote

Step 2: Copy to the NAS

Copy directly to a local NAS path, or to an SMB remote if Rclone runs elsewhere:

rclone copy onedrive:/Documents /volume1/archive --progress

rclone copy onedrive:/Projects nas-smb:/Projects --progress

The first command copies into a locally mounted NAS volume; the second writes to an SMB remote configured in Rclone. Add --dry-run to preview the result first.

Running Rclone on the NAS keeps the transfer off your personal computer entirely and supports scheduling through cron. The trade-off is comfort with the command line and the NAS package system.

Method 4: Cloud-to-Cloud Transfer with CloudsLinker

Transfer Without Using Your Computer

CloudsLinker moves files from OneDrive to a NAS server-side, so the transfer does not depend on your computer staying on. This method requires the NAS to be reachable over the internet — a public IP, port forwarding, or a VPN.

Step 1: Connect OneDrive

Sign in at app.cloudslinker.com, click Add Cloud, and select OneDrive. Approve access on Microsoft's authorization page, and select the specific drive if your account exposes more than one.

Authorize OneDrive via Microsoft OAuth in CloudsLinker

Step 2: Connect the NAS over SMB

Click Add Cloud again and select NAS / SMB. Enter a display name, the NAS host IP address, a username and password with write access, and port 445.

CloudsLinker Add Cloud dialog for NAS/SMB with host IP, username, password, and port 445 fields

Step 3: Configure the Transfer

Open the Transfer section. Select OneDrive as the source and browse to the folders to move. On the destination side, select the NAS and choose the target shared folder.

Filters let you limit the move to certain file types or a date range, and Copy or Move mode controls whether the OneDrive originals remain.

CloudsLinker transfer configuration screen with OneDrive selected as the source folder tree, the NAS selected as the destination shared folder, and file-type and date filters above a Start Transfer button

Step 4: Start and Monitor the Transfer

Start the task and track it in the Task List, which shows transferred size, speed, and any skipped items. The transfer runs server-side between OneDrive and the NAS.

CloudsLinker Task List panel showing a transfer row with progress bar, transferred size, speed, and status

Comparing the Ways to Transfer From OneDrive to a NAS

Method	Ease of Use	Speed	Best For	Needs Public NAS	Skill Level
Download + SMB Copy	★★★★★	★★★☆☆	Small sets of files	No	Beginner
NAS Sync App	★★★★☆	★★★★☆	Home NAS behind a router	No	Intermediate
Rclone	★★☆☆☆	★★★★☆	Large libraries, scheduling	No	Advanced
CloudsLinker	★★★★★	★★★★★	Internet-reachable NAS, hands-off	Yes	Beginner

For most home setups behind a router, a NAS sync app such as Synology Cloud Sync is the natural choice, since the device pulls files itself. Rclone suits technical users who want scheduling. If the NAS is already reachable over the internet, CloudsLinker moves files server-side without using your computer.

Practical Tips for Moving OneDrive to a NAS

Download online-only files first: Files On-Demand placeholders contain no data until downloaded; set folders to "Always keep on this device" before a manual copy.
Match the method to your network: A local-only NAS suits a vendor sync app or Rclone; only an internet-reachable NAS works with a cloud service.
Avoid opening port 445 to the public: Use a VPN or the NAS vendor's secure remote access instead of exposing raw SMB.
Check the tenant's current storage allowance: If your OneDrive account was created after the 2026 default change, confirm your actual quota before assuming the older, larger default applies.
Use the NAS app for home setups: Cloud Sync or HBS pulls directly and avoids routing data through your computer.
Keep a backup until verified: Keep the OneDrive copy or a second backup until you confirm the files are intact on the NAS.

Frequently Asked Questions

Files land inside a shared folder on the NAS volume as a plain folder hierarchy, matching OneDrive's original folder structure. There is no library or metadata concept to translate, since both sides use ordinary folders.

No, the tightened default applies to how much new storage is provisioned on newly created Microsoft 365 tenants going forward. Files you already have in OneDrive are not deleted or altered; the change affects future allocation, which is exactly why moving a static archive off OneDrive avoids depending on that allowance at all.

Yes, all four methods keep nested folders intact. Files marked as online-only through OneDrive's Files On-Demand feature must be set to 'Always keep on this device' before a browser or Synology Cloud Sync copy will work with the actual data rather than a placeholder.

Only if the NAS is reachable from the internet. CloudsLinker runs in the cloud and connects over SMB using the NAS's host address and port 445, so a home NAS needs a public IP, port forwarding, or a VPN. For a NAS that stays on the local network only, Synology Cloud Sync or QNAP's Hybrid Backup Sync is more practical, since the NAS pulls the files itself.

CloudsLinker uses Microsoft's official OAuth sign-in. You approve access in a Microsoft window, and if your account exposes more than one drive, you select which one to use. No password is stored.

The transfer stops when the volume is full and remaining files are skipped. Check free space against your OneDrive usage before starting, and expand the volume or move in batches if the library is larger than what is currently available.

Yes. Browser copies let you pick folders manually, Synology Cloud Sync and QNAP HBS let you choose source paths, Rclone uses include and exclude rules, and CloudsLinker lets you select folders and filter by file type or date.

OneDrive is accessed through Microsoft's OAuth authorization, and the connection is encrypted in transit. SMB traffic on a local network is not encrypted by default, so when exposing a NAS to the internet for a cloud-based transfer, use a VPN or SMB encryption rather than opening port 445 to the public.

Conclusion

Match the method to your network setup and how much data is moving. A browser download paired with a mapped network drive covers a small set of files. Synology Cloud Sync or QNAP's Hybrid Backup Sync pulls directly from OneDrive and suits most home or office NAS setups behind a router. Rclone gives scriptable control for a large or scheduled migration. CloudsLinker moves an entire OneDrive account straight to the NAS without a computer staying on — but only if the NAS is reachable from the internet through a public IP, port forwarding, or a VPN. Choose based on where the NAS sits on your network.

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