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For us to replace a classic root site in SharePoint Online, first, we must create a modern site we will use as a replacement. Per Microsoft guidelines, it has to be either a modern team site without an Office 365 Group or a Communication Site. You cannot replace the root site with a Group-connected site.
What happens if I Change my root site?
If it is or was used, make sure all the content has been backed up and no one is synchronizing any libraries from the root site or its subsites to their computers (otherwise, when the old site is moved over to archival URL – more on this later) – it will cause sync issues.
Can a root site be deleted in Microsoft 365?
The root site can’t be connected to a Microsoft 365 group. The root (top-level) site for your organization can’t be deleted. If you’re a global or SharePoint admin in Microsoft 365, you can replace the root site with a different site. Before you begin, make sure you:
Can a classic root site be a modern site?
While all new sites you create now are going to be modern, the root site (which was provisioned at the time of the subscription) still bears the classic look and feel. However, the classic experience prevents you from using this site as a Hub Site and the main landing page for your Intranet.
Root Site is always a preferred “destination” since it has the cleanest URL and is easy to remember, and is a good candidate for the company’s Hub, so that is why I am doing this post to explain how to take advantage of it and replace a classic root site in SharePoint Online with a modern one.
How to modernize your Root Site in Office 365?
If your environment was set up before April 2019, you can modernize your root site in three ways: If you have a different site that you want to use as your root site (a communication site or modern team site that isn’t connected to an Office 365 group), replace (swap) the root site with the other site.