How to Migrate Google Workspace to Exchange Server Directly?
Fact-checked and reviewed in accordance with our Editorial Policy
Organizations migrate from Google Workspace to Exchange Server Hosted/On-Premise – managed by the enterprise’s own servers/infrastructure for security related compliance rules & to utilize collaborative enterprise features.
Although there is a native way for users to migrate Google Workspace to Office 365 there is no native direct way for Google Workspace to Hosted Exchange Migration.
Scope: The guide is to export data from Google Workspace business plan with multiple users & admins to Exchange Server Subscription Edition or even older Exchange Server 2016 and 2019 (which has reached their end of life 2025) – in case of merger & acquisitions. Step-by-step instructions are provided for migration via PST export or direct migration using the BitRecover purpose-built Google Workspace to Exchange Server Migration Tool for businesses, ensuring compliance and complete migration of entire data in batches.
Functionalities That Can Be Migrated from Google Workspace to Exchange Server
You can migrate the following functionalities from Google Workspace to Hosted Exchange:
- Emails with Preserved Folder Hierarchy
- Contacts with All Properties such as Name, Email ID, Phone Number & Details
- Attachments
- Emails Signature, Header & Metadata
Migration Limitation: Rules are not migrated from GWS to On-Premise Exchange Server. Calendar is handled separately and other Google account data such as Drive has to be migrated separately.
BitRecover Google Workspace to Exchange Server Migration Services
Companies lacking in-house Exchange experience, having a hard compliance deadline, or don’t want to deal with complex delegation structures can get in touch with BitRecover 24/7 available support team for end-to-end migration services, with a focus on data privacy, data integrity, and a fully configured Exchange Server environment.
- Cost-Effective Prices for Per User Migration
- Microsoft Certified Experts with 15+ Years of Experience
- Complete Transparency of Protocols
Is Migrating Google Workspace to Exchange Server Cheaper?
Migrating for Google Workspace where you pay based on per-user license to Exchange Server where you buy Exchange and host it your server may appear cheaper. But it comes with additional costs of – Physical/virtual server, CALs, Software Assurance/subscriptions, Windows Server licensing and Maintenance. To avoid this one can either prefer to migrate from Google Workspace to Exchange Online or to a Hybrid model (Exchange Online mailboxes, on-prem Exchange SE server kept for recipient management and internal SMTP relay).
The real value addition of GWS to Exchange Server switch lies with the control over data residency rules and when you need an internal line-of-business application that uses MAPI/EWS.
Prerequisite to Migrate Tenant from Google Workspace to Exchange Server
For Source Google Tenant Side:
- Access to Super admin account with permissions to manage OU (Organizational Unit).
- IMAP must be enabled so as to establish connection. Admin console >> Apps >> Google Workspace >> Gmail >> End User Access).
- Complete user & admin mailbox list compiled in CSV with primary address, passwords, usernames etc.
- Backup your Google Workspace Mailbox – you can create an export via Google Vault, Takeout or a third party tool like BitRecover.
- Even after the migration from Google Workspace to Exchange Server is completed keep the tenant live, licensed and receiving on a routing subdomain for 30–60 days.
For Target Destination Exchange Server:
- Exchange Server SE installed, patched, and healthy. Get-ServerHealth, Get-HealthReport, transport queues clean.
- AD accounts provisioned + correct UPN/SMTP
- Exchange Server Mailboxes are set up with at least 1.5X quota space than the source mailbox.
- Exchange Server hostname / FQDN, Server IP address, Required ports- Outbound HTTPS/993, SPF, DKIM and DMARC records drafted for the new sending infrastructure.
Path A: BitRecover to Migrate Google Workspace to Exchange Server
The BitRecover Google Workspace migration tool is a complete solution that makes it easy for users to migrate their Google Workspace mailboxes to Exchange Server. The software is simple, easy, and trouble-free way to execute the data migration process. The tool migrates data with a high level of data security. Converting the database ensures that this utility will not harm any amount of database in the procedure. The tool has a simple and easy to use GUI making it easy to migrate Google Workspace to Exchange Server without prior expertise .
Simple, easy, and speedy migration of data is performed by the software to migrate Google Workspace to Exchange Server directly. The tool is operable on all Windows OS & Mac OS. It supports all editions of Exchange Server 2019, 2016 etc. With this tool, a user can successfully move emails and all their data, such as attachments, links, and other items that are embedded.
I wrote an article a few days ago on migrating Gmail to Exchange Server. Do you think the process will be the same? The answer is no. Both the articles (Gmail to Exchange Server and Google Workspace (G Suite) to Exchange Server) are completely different questions. In this blog, we will talk about the business version of Google Workspace.
Steps to Migrate Google Workspace to Exchange Server
Follow the given steps to perform a Google Workspace to MS Exchange Server migration to save your G Suite mailbox.
- Launch Google Workspace to Exchange Server Migration Tool on your computer.
- Select the “I am Admin” checkbox.
- Enter your Google Workspace account credentials, admin account credentials, service account ID, and certificate file path.
- Select the user account that you want to migrate from Google Workspace to Exchange Server.
- Selectively choose labels under mailboxes.
- Select Exchange Server as the destination option.
- Use the I am Admin mode and connect with Global Admin.
- Then, map the users you need to migrate and press “Backup” to begin the migration.
Key Feature of Google Workspace to Exchange Server Migration Tool
- “I am Admin” Batch Mapping: The impersonation feature of BitRecover tool authenticates via GWS & Exchange Server admin account and maps every user via secure connection.
- OAuth 2.0 & Graph API Authentication: The passwords are not entered in the application but via compliant with Google & Microsoft latest policies.
- Incremental/Delta Sync: Re-run secondary pass and only move new items from the mailbox in the primary downtime.
- Granular Migration Filters: Selectively migrate data from Google Workspace to Exchange Server based on date range, sender, recipient, subject, keyword, and folder exclusion.
- Detailed Migration Log Report: Autogenerated per-user progress and reports expanding success/failure per account so reconciliation is possible.
- Schedule Migration: Schedule migration tasks according to your organization’s migration window, allowing mailbox batches to be processed at a planned date and time.
Before using the full version, you can try the demo version of the BitRecover Google Workspace to Exchange Server Migration Tool, which migrates up to 25 emails per mailbox folder from the source to the destination.
What Users Say?
“It was a commendable experience working with Google Workspace to Exchange Server Converter software. We wanted to migrate G Workspace to Exchange Server directly. However, no suitable approach was found to accomplish the conversion. Thankfully, somebody introduced us to your tool. I am completely stunned by the pace at which it works and the number of options it offers to perform data conversion. This is completely a user’s tool.”- Willan, USA
“Google Workspace accounts are the most common approach for not only users but cybercriminals as well. Thus, this tool comes out as a relieving support to the digital forensic industry. I personally liked the direct solution to import Google Workspace data to Exchange Server .”- Eduardo Pearson, Kansas
Path B: Migrate Google Workspace to Hosted Exchange Migration Via PST
It is the native way to export GWS emails to Exchange Server mailboxes.
Step1: You are required to save Google Workspace Data as PST you can use Google Vault or Outlook Desktop Windows for this purpose.
Step2: Then import GWS PST into Exchange Server
# Required first — not granted by default, not even to Organization Management
New-ManagementRoleAssignment -Role "Mailbox Import Export" `
-User "domain\migrationadmin"
# UNC path only. Local drive letters are rejected.
New-MailboxImportRequest -Mailbox "jsmith" `
-FilePath "\\FS01\PSTStore\jsmith.pst" `
-BadItemLimit 50 `
-AcceptLargeDataLoss
Get-MailboxImportRequest | Get-MailboxImportRequestStatisticsLimitation of This Approach:
- Gmail export limits may hinder complete imports.
- The migration method you use may miss contacts and calendars.
- Only export one Google Workspace mailbox to Exchange Servers at a time.
Comparison Between Tool & Manual Way for GWS to Exchange Server Migration
Although the native approach works for migration of a few mailboxes from Google Workspace to Exchange Server accounts. It may lack in some places, here is realistic comparison.
| Requirement | Path A (Using BitRecover Tool) | Path B (Using Native PST Intermediate) |
|---|---|---|
| ✅ | ✅ | |
| Contacts | ✅ | ❌ Depends on Export Medium |
| Calendar | Separate pass | ❌ Depends on Export Medium |
| Folder hierarchy preserved | ✅ | ✅ |
| Batch admin auth (no per-user passwords) | ✅ | N/A |
| Incremental / delta re-run | ✅ | ❌ |
| Works without outbound internet on Exchange | ❌ | ✅ |
| Realistic ceiling | Hundreds of mailboxes | 5-10 Mailboxes |
FAQs: Migrate Google Workspace to Exchange Server
Q: How long does a Google Workspace to Exchange Server migration take?
Google Workspace to Exchange Server migration depends on multiple factors like path chosen, number of mailboxes, and internet connectivity speed. The tool can help amplify the speed of the migration using advanced thread connection algorithms and reduce the manual effort by carrying out migration one by one.
Q: Will our Google Workspace filters, signatures and vacation responders move to Exchange Server?
No. Although these features cannot be migrated, they can be re-built using Exchange Server’s dedicated email client, Outlook.
Q: Will I breach compliance if I use the BitRecover tool to switch from Google Workspace to Exchange Server?
No, BitRecover Google Workspace to Exchange Server Migration Tool is HIPAA, CCPA, and GDPR compliant and is also SOC 2 certified. The secure connection is authenticated using OAuth 2.0 and Microsoft Graph API.
Q: Can we keep Google Workspace and Exchange running permanently side by side?
Yes, some companies do this indefinitely for departments or subsidiaries that have routing subdomains and split delivery
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