SharePoint Online - Downloaded zip contains errors "The file size exceeds the allowed limit"

Issue/Question

  • I tried to download a large amount of files from SharePoint. A .zip file was downloaded, and it contains some of the files, but the rest show .error and contain the message "The file size exceeds the allowed limit."

Environment

  • Oregon State University
  • Microsoft 365
  • SharePoint Online

Explanation

This is a known issue with downloading files from SharePoint via a web browser: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/msoffice/forum/all/problem-downloading-sharepoint-multiple-files/5b0237b8-dd15-4292-929a-2cfe086a2543

There is a file size limit of 20GB when downloading from SharePoint via the web: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/download-files-and-folders-from-onedrive-or-sharepoint-5c7397b7-19c7-4893-84fe-d02e8fa5df05#:~:text=You%20can%20use%20Microsoft%20Edge,zip%20file%20and%2020GB%20overall. 

Resolution

Use the OneDrive app to synchronize the files you wish to download: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/sync-sharepoint-and-teams-files-with-your-computer-6de9ede8-5b6e-4503-80b2-6190f3354a88

Assistance

For assistance, contact the Service Desk.

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