How to Upload Files from Network/Department Drives (Z, Y, and I) to Microsoft Teams [Windows]

Decorative image representing file migration from the Y: Drive to Teams.

What's the difference between Microsoft Teams and SharePoint?

Microsoft SharePoint and Microsoft Teams are part of Microsoft 365, which is a suite of cloud-based productivity tools designed for collaboration, communication, and file storage.

  • Microsoft SharePoint is primarily a document management platform. It serves as a centralized location to store, organize, share and collaborate on documents and other content.
  • Microsoft Teams offers chat functions and video conferencing to serve as a hub to facilitate collaboration. Within Teams, users can create channels for different topics or projects and organize files within channel folders. Files stored in a Teams channel folder or shared in Teams channel chat are also stored in SharePoint.

Video Guide

Video Link: Cloud File Migration - Y: Drive to Microsoft Teams

Video Resources:

Should I use Microsoft Teams or SharePoint to store my documents?

There is little difference between storing your files in Microsoft Teams or SharePoint--they are essentially two views of the same file storage system. Files stored in a Teams channel folder or shared in Teams channel chat are also stored in SharePoint.

SharePoint's interface give users more control and has extra capabilities. However, some users prefer storing files in Teams--it's more intuitive because it fits in better with your team’s workflow, which makes collaboration easy. 

Want to learn how to upload files to Microsoft SharePoint? Please read this article.

How to upload Network/Department Drive (Z, Y, and I)​​​​​ files to Teams

Follow the steps below to move files or folders from your department drive (which you may know as the Y: drive or shared drive) to a Microsoft Teams channel.

Microsoft Teams Channel and Files tab.

  • Log in to Microsoft Teams.
  • On the left hand menu, click on Teams
  • Select the teams channel you want to upload the file or a folder to.
  • Click on the files tab.
    Upload tab within Microsoft Teams
  • Click on the upload tab.
    Upload tab sub menu options.
    Local file directory on your computer.
  • When you click the upload tab, you'll see the following options: files, folders and template. You will guided to the files and folder directory on your computer.
    This PC option in File Explorer
  • Scroll down and click This PC.
    Network drives within File Explorer.
  • Select the drive containing the files or folders you want to upload. Once you have selected the file or folder that you want to upload from the drive, click upload to copy the data.