Want to change the root site?
In this guide, I will walk you through changing the root site in SharePoint Online from the admin center.
Let’s get started.
What is a root site in SharePoint?
Basically, the root site is the primary entry point for your organization’s SharePoint environment.
It’s automatically created when you set up Microsoft 365, and its URL is typically structured as:
https://yourcompany.sharepoint.com
Here are its key characteristics:
- Default creation: It’s one of the first sites created when your Microsoft 365 account is set up.
- Fixed URL: The root site has a straightforward URL without any suffixes, making it easy to remember.
- Non-deletable: This site cannot be deleted as it remains the main entry point for your SharePoint environment.
- Administrator ownership: The default owner of this site is the company administrator (covers all global admins).
The root site serves as the foundation of your SharePoint environment.
That means you can’t connect it to a Microsoft 365 group.
Well, think of it as the main hub or intranet landing page for your organization.
Related: How to Modernize Your Root Site in SharePoint Online
How to replace the root site?
Fortunately, it’s easy to change the root site of your tenant.
But first, make sure to open the SharePoint site that you want to become the new root site (check the considerations section).
Note: The replacement site can either be a modern communication site or a modern team site (any modern site) not connected to a group.
After that, follow these steps:
Step 1: Go to the SharePoint admin center
From the page you’re on, click the app launcher and then the admin button:
If you can’t find the admin button right away, use the search function.
This will bring you to the Microsoft 365 admin center.
Expand the admin center options in the left pane and click the SharePoint option:
The next page that opens will be the SharePoint admin center. 
Step 2: Find the root site
The next step is to find the root site.
Unfortunately, the only indication here is that the URL of that site is also the URL of the tenant (well, it’s the root). 
Like this:
We’re almost done now.
Step 3: Replace the root site
Select that site using the button on the left side of the site name.
That will open more options in the toolbar.
While the site is selected:
- Click the replace button in the toolbar
- Paste the URL of the replacement site
That’s it for the root site swap process!
The replacement site will now become the root site and its URL will become the tenant’s URL as well.
Important Considerations
When changing the root site in SharePoint, keep these limitations in mind:
- Hub sites: Neither the current nor the new site collection can be registered as hub sites. If they are, you need to unregister them first.
- Site collections: The entire site collection will be replaced. Any subsites under the existing root site will be archived.
- Domain restrictions: The new root site must be within the same domain as the current one.
- Site hold: If the site is on hold, you can’t replace it. You’ll need to resolve this first.
- Temporary errors: During the swap, users might see a “404 not found” error for a few minutes.
- Search index: the content needs to be recrawled after the replacement (though this process can take some time).
These points ensure you are aware of what to expect and help you prepare better for the change.
Related: SharePoint Start Page vs Home Site vs Hub Site vs Root Site
Anyway, got any questions about changing the root site in SharePoint Online? Let me know.
For any business-related queries or concerns, contact me through the contact form. I always reply.
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