This manual describes the steps that must be followed if you already have a SURFdrive account, which will be migrated to a new SURFdrive account. When does this step-by-step plan apply:

  • If the user name is changed within your institution. SURFdrive receives a user name from the institution. This username is similar to an email address, but may be different from your real email address. When your username changes at your organization, SURFdrive sees you as a new user, so you may no longer see your files.
  • If the SURFconext connection is migrated to a new IDP. In that case you will receive a new user name from your institution. You will therefore see SURFdrive as a new user and you will no longer be able to access your files (without migration steps).


Migration steps Surfdrive

The migration from a SURFdrive account to a new IDP goes as follows:

  1. Your (existing) accounts will be blocked
  2. All data will be transferred to a new account
  3. After the migration, log in via SURFconext with your new account.

If you are not using the SURFdrive desktop client, you do not have to do anything. From now on you will log in with your new account on SURFdrive. Do you use WebDAV? Then you need to create a new registration, and adjust login details of WebDAV connections.

If you do use SURFdrive, more steps are required. These are described below.


Migration steps SURFdrive with Desktop client

If you use the desktop, some extra steps are required. This is comparable to installing SURFdrive on a new laptop. To prevent SURFdrive from downloading everything again and putting files on the computer twice, it is advisable to use the same directory as the current SURFdrive – sync.

Before the migration:
Note the location of the current sync folder Note which folders are being synchronized (or take a screenshot, for example)

After the migration:
 Reconnect SURFdrive.

What steps must be taken for the migration? There are 2 steps to follow:

  1. Capture current sync folder and record what is being synced. This is done prior to migration.
  2. Reconnect SURFdrive. This happens after the migration of the data.

These steps will be explained comprehensively for Mac OS and Windows separately. Select your operating system below for the manual:


Capture current sync folder

For the migration it is useful to record the location to which SURFdrive synchronizes. It is also advisable to record which folders are synchronized and which are not.

  1. Open the SURFdrive application in the taskbar. Do this by clicking on the ‘Open Folder’ tab in the menu.
  2. Document / save the location of the sync folder, this is visible by resting the mouse on the Synchronization configuration. This is usually /Users/<user>/Surfdrive
  3. If you don't sync all folders, document which folders you sync. You will need this when reconnecting the Surfdrive Desktop Client.


Relinking your SURFdrive account to an existing synchronization folder

Follow these steps below to reconnect the SURFdrive desktop client.

  1. Once the accounts have been migrated, the old accounts are disabled. Synchronization has stopped in the desktop client.

  2. Delete the existing sync:
    Click on 'Account' and then 'Remove'.

  3. Confirm the deletion of the account, the files will remain on the computer.

  4. Now, click on the 'Add account' tab.

  5. Log in via SURFconext by choosing the new IDP (e.g. 'SURF (New)').

  6. Then click on 'authorize' to allow the 'Desktop Client' to connect.

  7.  After authorizing your new SURFDrive account the client will say you’re all set. Before clicking finish select Advanced Settings. 

  8. Here you must select your previous sync folder as your local download folder and click finish.


  9. Your data should now synchronize

  10. Optional step. When you do not want to synchronise everything: select the folders you want to synchronize and accept the change to the settings

Capture current sync folder

For the migration it is useful to record the location to which SURFdrive synchronizes. It is also advisable to record which folders are synchronized and which are not.

  1. Open the SURFdrive application in the taskbar. Do this by clicking on the SURFdrive icon.
  2. Document / save the location of the sync folder, this is visible by resting the mouse on the Synchronization configuration. This is usually c:\users\<user>\surfdrive
  3. If you don't sync all folders, document which folders you sync. You will need this when reconnecting the Surfdrive Desktop Client.


Relinking your SURFdrive account to an existing synchronization folder

Follow these steps below to reconnect the SURFdrive desktop client.

  1. Once the accounts have been migrated, the old accounts are disabled. Synchronization has stopped in the desktop client.
  2. Delete the existing sync:
    Click on 'Account' and then 'Remove'.
  3. Confirm the deletion of the account, the files will remain on the computer.

  4. Now, click on the 'Add account' tab.

  5. Log in via SURFconext by choosing the new IDP (e.g. 'SURF (New)').

  6. Then click on 'authorize' to allow the 'Desktop Client' to connect.

  7.  After authorizing your new SURFDrive account the client will say you’re all set. Before clicking finish select Advanced Settings. 

  8. Select the earlier documented SURFdrive folder.By default this is: c:\users\<user>\surfdrive as your local download folder and click Finish


  9. Your data should now synchronize






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