How to Migrate Exchange Server to Office 365 Step-by-Step?
This blog post explains the 3 most popular methods to migrate Exchange Server to Office 365 [Exchange Online] in detail. Cloud computing has emerged as a powerful technique to save and process users’ data on remote servers. It gives on-demand access to users’ data.
Office 365 Suite is a cloud-based application that provides various applications on the web such as Office Online which comprises MS Office applications like PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Outlook 365, OneNote, Skype, and OneDrive. Therefore, being at an admin level I decided to move all my organization users’ accounts to the cloud.
Several users want to know the steps to migrate on premise Exchange to Office 365. Due to cloud storage of data, users can use their data whenever they want with just the mere availability of a network connection.
If you have a large amount of data to migrate from Exchange Server to Office 365 account. Then you can continue read this specified article to migrate Exchange 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, and 2007 to Office 365 (Exchange Online).
Reasons for Exchange Server to Office 365 Migration
For a variety of reasons, users prefer to migrate Exchange Server to Office 365. Take a look at the following points to understand why users prefer Microsoft 365 over Exchange:
- Low Maintenance: Exchange Server on premise requires high maintenance compared to Office 365. As Exchange Server requires Server Hardware, Administrator, etc.
- Easy Upgrade: Users can easily upgrade Office 365 if the business is in the growth phase. While this is difficult in Exchange Server.
- Less Hardware: There is no need to set up a server to store Office 365 emails. It uses the assigned quota space to store user mailboxes.
- Update Not Required: Like Exchange 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, and 2007, there is no need to install the latest O365 as it is always up to date.
- In-Place Archive: Customers can easily enable In-Place Archive in Office 365 and get 50 GB to 150 GB of extra quota space to store old emails.
- Shared Mailboxes: In Microsoft 365 users can easily create shared mailboxes at no extra cost. A shared mailbox is best if multiple users want to access the same email address.
How to Migrate Exchange Server to Office 365
There are various methods available for Exchange Server to Office 365 migration. Here we are explaining all the steps to migrate on premise Exchange to Office 365 using multiple methods.
Exchange to Office 365 Migration Requirements:
For manual on-premise Exchange Server to Office 365 migration, users should have Outlook installed on their system, admin access of Exchange and Office 365 accounts, PST export permission in Outlook, AzCopy tool and Azure Storage Key, proper internet connection, sufficient storage and technical knowledge. However, these are not required if you are using the advanced Exchange to Office 365 migration tool.
Method 1: Migrate from Exchange to Microsoft 365Using Desktop Outlook
Users can use desktop Outlook to migrate from Exchange to Office 365 using two simple phases.
Phase 1: Export Exchange Outlook PST File
- Run the Microsoft Outlook email client on your computer.
- Now select File >> Open & Export >> Import/Export.
- Choose the Export to a file option and press the Next button.
- Select Outlook Data File (.pst) and hit on Next.
- Check the necessary folders and click on Next to continue.
- Set the destination path, enter a file name, and save it.
- Get exported PST file under the destination folder.
Phase 2: Network Upload Method to Import Your PST
Now you can use Network Upload or Drive Shipping method to import PST files to Office 365. Here we are using the Network upload method to migrate Exchange Server to Office 365.
- Download PST Import Tools and key to the private Azure storage location.
- Use the AzCopy tool to upload Exchange Outlook PST file.
- Thereafter, create a PST import mapping file.
- Now create a job to import the PST file.
- Filter the PST file data that you want to import.
- Lastly, start the PST import job.
2 Method: Export Exchange Mailboxes to Office 365
If you want to migrate Exchange Server to Office 365 account directly. Then you can go with these techniques. However, these methods require technical knowledge as well as pre-preparation, planning, and permissions.
A: Cutover Migration for Less Than 2000 Mailboxes
The cutover migration process allows you to migrate maximum of 2000 user mailboxes from Exchange on premise to Office 365. However, Microsoft officially suggests this method to migrate only 150 mailboxes error free. Cutover migration allows you to migrate Exchange 2003, 2007, 2010, and 2013 to Microsoft 365 accounts. Read Complete Details.
B: Staged Migration for More Than 2000 Mailboxes
Staged migration process is helpful to more than 2000 mailboxes from Exchange Server to Exchange Online (Office 365) account. This method permits to migrate Exchange 2003 and 2007 to Office 365 accounts. For using this technique, you must need to configure SSL for MS Outlook. Read Complete Details.
C: Hybrid Migration for 150 to 2000 Mailboxes
Hybrid Migration method gives permission to migrate 150 to 2000 user mailboxes from on-premises Exchange Server to Office 365. This technique allows you to migrate Exchange 2010, 2013, and 2016 mailboxes to Microsoft 365 online account. Users can use minimal, hybrid and full hybrid configuration methods accordingly. Read Complete Details.
Why Avoid Using Manual Techniques?
- These are time consuming and lengthy methods to migrate Exchange Server to Office 365.
- Manual methods don’t work for the latest Microsoft Exchange Server 2019 edition.
- There is no guarantee that your crucial data lost during the migration process.
- These techniques require administrator-level knowledge to perform Exchange to Office 365 migration.
3 Method: Use the Exchange to Office 365 Migration Tool
Email Backup Software by BitRecover has the capability to migrate Exchange Server to Microsoft 365 directly without using EDB (Exchange Database). The tool asks only Exchange Server credentials to proceed with the steps to migrate on-premise Exchange to Office 365.
This software is available for both Windows and Mac OS users and all the latest OS users can easily download and configure it on their machines. The tool comes with a free demo version that allows you to migrate 25 items per folder. So let’s check how it works!
Migrate Exchange to Office 365 Step-by-Step – Learn with Video
How to Migrate Exchange Server 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019 to Office 365 Step by Step?
- Start Exchange to Office 365 Migration Tool and choose Exchange Server.
- Enter Exchange Server credentials and press the Login button to migrate Exchange Server to Office 365.
- Thereafter, the software will start adding Exchange folders in the software panel.
- Select necessary Exchange folders from the software window for migration.
- After that, pick Office 365 as a saving option.
- Check the option “save messages in default folders” to store data in default folders.
- Enter Microsoft 365 account credentials and specific fields.
- Click on the Backup button to migrate Exchange Server to Office 365 account.
- On-premise Exchange to Office 365 migration process has been completed.
This way, anyone can easily migrate Exchange 2019 to Office 365 step by step along with all associated items.
Why Use BitRecover Exchange to Office 365 Migration Tool?
- The tool has multiple advanced filter options to migrate Exchange to Microsoft 365 between a date range, by choice email address, and by choice email subject.
- This application is capable to transfer all crucial data like emails, contacts, and calendars together with all associated components.
- Users can select only the required folders from all data for Exchange Server to Office 365 migration process.
- The user-friendly interface instilled within the tool ensures to offer users a simplified migrate Exchange Server to Office 365 mailbox.
- If you are concerned about the technical inputs then you can be at ease as the software does not even compromise on the technical end and offers all the techniques required to transfer working Exchange Server to O365.
- Support for all available MS Exchange Server serves to help you smoothly conduct the process to migrate from Exchange Server mailboxes to Office 365.
- When you migrate Exchange Server to Microsoft 365, the software will ensure that data remains safe and intact throughout the process with even the metadata kept sustained as it is.
Final Words
Data migration from server to cloud is not child’s play to perform manually. I did a lot and got this simplified solution that I have discussed with you in the above discussion to migrate Exchange Server to Office 365 account directly. I used this solution and successfully imported all my data from Working Exchange Server to O365 mailbox.
FAQs: On-Premise Exchange to Office 365 Migration
1. How do I migrate from Exchange Server 2010 to Office 365?
You can migrate from Exchange 2010 to Office 365 through AzCopy, Cutover, Staged, or Hybrid. However, you need to be aware of the limitations of these methods. If you need a secure Exchange Server 2010 migration to Office 365, then use the suggested BitRecover Exchange Server to Office 365 migration tool.
2. Is Microsoft 365 better than Exchange Server 2010, 2013, 2016, and 2019?
It completely depends on the specific needs of users. However, in comparison to Exchange Server, Office 365 or Microsoft 365 offers more advanced features, less maintenance and is easy to use.
3. Which is the best and easiest methods to migrate Exchange Server to Office 365?
The most professional, effective and easiest method to migrate Microsoft Exchange to Office 365 is by using the expert’s trusted Exchange to Office 365 migration tool.