How to Migrate SharePoint Files to Azure? Expert Guide

  

Mark Regan
Published: June 19th, 2025 • 6 Min Read

A lot of organizations are shifting from existing SharePoint environments to Microsoft Azure. But, why is that and how it benefits the business. In this article, we are going to explore how to Migrate SharePoint to Azure and other related details. But, first we will explain SharePoint and Microsoft Azure.

Know About SharePoint and Azure

Microsoft developed SharePoint, a collaborative tool which you can use on the web browser. This program allows users to store, manage and share their data, documents, and internal content. For organizations it helps in making teams work together and also effectively dealing with files, workflows and internal communication.

Microsoft Azure, whereas is a cloud computing platform which offers you storage, networking, virtual machines, databases and many other services. This helps the businesses in running the applications, storing their data, and host services without needing the on-site infrastructure.

Both the programs serve different purposes, SharePoint is for collaboration and document management within Microsoft 365. While Azure provides several services for Office 365. But, still why, many big organizations are switching Azure over SharePoint and why they need to migrate your data. We explain this below in detail.

Why Need to Migrate SharePoint to Azure?

There are several instances where users need to transfer their data from SharePoint to Azure. Such as.

• Reduces Maintenance Cost: Using SharePoint on your server needs regular maintenance, uptodate hardware and IT support. Azure eliminated these costs by providing a cloud based platform to do your work.
• Scale your Resources: Azure also helps in scalability. Sometimes, businesses need to increase or decrease their computing power, storage and other services. Azure will easily do this and also reduce your costs.
• Improve Data Security: In the Azure you will find enterprise-grade security features that can help you to delete threats, protect your identity and many more. So, moving your SharePoint in this environment allows you to secure your data.
• Support Work Environments: Moving SharePoint to the cloud platform helps you and your employees to access your content from any devices.
• Access Advanced Features: Having your data in Azure allows you to also integrate with Microsoft 365. This way you can easily enhance the productivity and collaboration.
• Secure your Data: In the Microsoft Azure you can easily do backup, restore and geo-redundant storage. This will help you to restore your data when it accidentally deletes or from anything.

So, moving your SharePoint data to Azure would be very helpful. Now, let’s see how you can do this.

How to Integrate SharePoint with Azure?

Whenever you are transferring your data from SharePoint to Azure blob storage. There are two scenarios of the process: you want to move from on-premise Sharepoint or from SharePoint Online. For this, the methods of doing it are different. In the upcoming section of the article, we explain each technique from different scenarios. So properly follow them.

Move SharePoint Server to Azure VM

In this method, you move your On-premise SharePoint server (like SharePoint 2016 or 2019) to a virtual machine hosted in Azure. It is a lift and shift approach where you need Azure subscription, existing SharePoint server (2013\2016\2019), backup of SharePoint farm and SQL server database.

1. First, sign in to Azure Portal and create a Resource Group.
2. Set up the Virtual Machine and subnet.
3. Deploy Windows Server-based Azure VM for SharePoint.
4. Now, open the required Network Security Group ports.
5. In your SQL server, create another Azure VM.
6. Install the SQL server and configure it. Then, enable the remote connections and set static IP or DNS connectivity.
7. After that, backup your all SharePoint content database using SSMS.
8. With the help of the AzCopy, Azure Storage Explorer or SFTP to upload the SQL backup into the Azure VM.
9. Don’t forget to restore the databases on Azure SQL Server.
10. Install the SharePoint Server on the Azure VM. Make sure you install the same version as on-premise.
11. Use SharePoint Products Configuration Wizard to connect the restored SQL server and content databases.
12. Also recreate farm settings, service apps and web applications.
13. Verify the site collection access and monitor the performance.

Transfer Data from On-Premise SharePoint to SharePoint Online

This is the modern way to migrate SharePoint to Azure. In this you just have to move your On-premise SharePoint content to online which is part of Office 365 and connected with Azure. There are several ways to do this, but we are going to use SPMT.

1. Go to the Microsoft SPMT web page and download and install on your computer.
2. Run the SPMT and sign in using the Microsoft 365 account.
3. Click on the Start a new migration option and SharePoint on-premises.
4. Enter your site URL and select the libraries or lists you want to move.
5. Type the SharePoint Online site URL and choose the destination document library.
6. Lastly, click on the Migrate button and validate the content.

Instructions of the Above Method

1. First, download the software and install it properly.
   
2. Enter your source Office 365 email address and password. Log in using the I am admin option.
   
3. The tool automatically fetches your data and presents it in front of you. Click on the folder to preview the emails.
   
4. From the saving options, select the Office 365 option.
   
5. Enter the credentials of your destination account and click on the Backup option.
   

So, here are the methods to migrate your SharePoint to Azure. We provided ways based on the different situations. Properly follow them and move your data securely.

Concluding Words

There are two types of SharePoint: SharePoint on-premise and SharePoint Online. If you want to migrate Sharepoint to Azure. Then, we have provided three different methods that work for different situations. If you want to export your SharePoint server to your Azure platform the first two methods will be helpful. But, if you want to transfer SharePoint Online from one account to another which is both connected with Azure. Then, the professional tool will help you. So, whichever scenario you are in these methods will definitely help you.