How to Migrate Email from Zimbra to Microsoft 365?

Rollins Duke
Published: February 18th, 2026 • 8 Min Read

Zimbra is a lightweight application and it’s popular for small businesses. However, when looking for alternatives, Microsoft 365 comes first. Designed to handle large mailbox data, it is a reliable option for businesses managing multiple email IDs on one server. when needing to manage multiple email ids at one server and it also offers up to 400 email aliases to organize your data. But migrating Zimbra to Microsoft 365 is not as simple as other email migrations.

When migrating Zimbra to Microsoft 365 directly then users often fail and struggle with large or multiple mailboxes. Technical issues such as IMAP limitations, incomplete data transfer, loss of permissions, incorrect DNS settings can be the major reason for failed migration. To eliminate these risks, this guide provides the simplest techniques to migrate Zimbra mailbox to Microsoft 365 with a maintained hierarchy.

Read Similar: 2 Best Approaches for Microsoft 365 to Zimbra Migration

Reasons for Zimbra to Microsoft 365 Migration

Users find the GUI of Zimbra as outdated especially if they have used mail services which are more leading nowadays. Hence, emerges the need to do Zimbra to Microsoft 365 migration.
The filter and search options are not too flexible compared to other email services.
Synchronization and account configuration issues of Zimbra mail make users migrate Zimbra mail to Microsoft 365.
Zimbra is well-suitable for small-sized businesses while Microsoft 365 formerly Microsoft 365 is appropriate for large enterprises, small businesses, and working professionals.
Wide support is available for Microsoft 365 setup, and configurations accordingly. But Zimbra Server settings are much more complicated as it uses Linux commands.
Microsoft 365 users can use its documentation applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) online. But Zimbra’s documentation is not much effective, hence users face issues.
Microsoft 365 has the best customization flexibility while Zimbra offers limited customization. Hence, administrators may face some critical problems.

These are some drawbacks of Zimbra desktop and cloud variants. Thus, users want to migrate mail from Zimbra to Microsoft 365 accounts.

How to Migrate Zimbra to Microsoft 365 via Manual Method?

Manual migration is best for small teams or a few mailboxes. It only moves emails, not contacts, calendars or shared folders.

Ask your Admin to create Microsoft accounts for each user. Each account needs an email mailbox to receive old emails.
Login Microsoft 365 Admin center.
Go to Exchange Admin and hit on Migration.
Select IMAP Migration and enter your Zimbra email address and password and Server details.
Click on Start Migration.
Now, Microsoft 365 will copy your emails.
Ask your Admin to change the MX records so new emails will start to be received in Microsoft 365.

Challenges You May Face During Migration

Unstable internet connection and large mailboxes can cause some emails to not move successfully.
Some folders or subfolders may not transfer in the same structure as they were in Zimbra.
Migrating emails through IMAP can take hours or days depending on the mailbox size.
Using this manual approach you can only move emails. For calendars and contacts, you need a separate approach.
Incorrect credentials or IMAP not enabled on Zimbra can stop the migration.

The Solution to Migrate Zimbra to Microsoft 365 Account

Since there are no easy manual method available, we recommend the BitRecover Zimbra Converter Wizard. It is an all-in-one solution to migrate Zimbra to Microsoft 365 including complete integrated data. Thus, the tool is also known as Zimbra to Microsoft 365 migration tool. This utility is available with a free trial version which works the same as the pro edition. However, the freeware edition allows transferring only limited data from Zimbra to Microsoft 365. You can upgrade it anytime to avoid all the limitations.

Download Now Purchase Now

Stage 1: Export TGZ File from Zimbra

For Zimbra Desktop:

Open the Zimbra Desktop email client >> Preferences option.
Select the Import/ Export option from the left panel.
Check the data that you want to export >> Export icon.
Select the Save file option and click on Ok to continue.
Browse the destination path >> Save to store the TGZ file.

For Zimbra Cloud:

Sign In to your Zimbra Cloud Account.
Pick the Zimbra email folder, right-click on it >> Export icon.
You can see that the TGZ file is exported successfully.
Get the TGZ file under the download folder.

Note That: Don’t be confused, TGZ is a zipped file extension to store Zimbra exported data. It includes mail, an address book, a calendar, tasks, and a briefcase.

Stage 2: Import TGZ File into Microsoft 365

Start Zimbra to Microsoft 365 Migration Tool.
Upload the TGZ files/folders using the Select Files/Folders option.
It is analyzing the Zimbra TGZ files before the migration process.
Select the required items, and press Next.
Pick Microsoft 365 as a preferred saving option.
Use advanced filter options for migrating filtered data between a date range.
Check the Change Language box if you are using Microsoft 365 in a non-English language.
Check the I am Admin option which helps choose a specific O365 user account.
Select Copy to default folders and Create a log for messages not converted option accordingly.
Enter Microsoft 365 credentials and choose Sign In.
The process to migrate Zimbra to Microsoft 365 is running, please wait for completion.
Zimbra to Microsoft 365 migration task has been finished successfully.
Here, you can see the log report about migrated data.

Zimbra to Microsoft 365 Migration Tool Specialties

Filter Options: Use filter options to move mail from Zimbra to Microsoft 365 by date range, email address, and email subject.
Migrate All Data: The tool permits to migrate Zimbra to Microsoft 365 together with emails, contacts, calendars, attachments, tasks, and all.
I am Admin: This option allows the admin to migrate Zimbra data to any specific O365 user account that the admin wants.
Retains Email Elements: While you migrate Zimbra to Microsoft 365, the software will maintain all the attributes like Sender, Receiver, Subject, Date, Time, Year, etc.
Copy to Default Folders: Users can check this option if they want to get Zimbra emails under Microsoft 365 default folders.
Two Upload Options: Zimbra to Microsoft 365 Converter provides two separate options for uploading Zimbra TGZ files in software GUI i.e., Select Files or Select Folders.
Independent Tool: No additional third-party tool or Zimbra installation is required. There is users can also upload Zimbra files into Gmail, Yahoo Mail, and other IMAP accounts.
Select Necessary Folders: This application shows all Zimbra folders under the software panel. Users can choose only the required folders for migration.
Creates Log Report: After completing Zimbra to Microsoft 365 migration task, the software automatically generates a log report file that has information about migrated data.

Frequently Asked Questions

Que 1: Why migrate from Zimbra to Microsoft 365?

Ans: If we compare both Zimbra and Microsoft 365 services, then MS Microsoft 365 will win, because it provides amazing and more advanced features and filters than Zimbra. We have mentioned the complete reasons to migrate Zimbra to Microsoft 365 above.

Que 2: What are the benefits of moving to Microsoft 365?

Ans: These are some benefits to use Microsoft 365:

Provides high-end & advanced security.
Offers multiple services to manage your data.
Enhanced accessibility
Take Automatic Backup of your Files & Folders.

Many more such benefits are provided by Microsoft 365.

Que 3: Can I migrate Zimbra’s desktop to Microsoft 365 without exporting TGZ file?

Ans: No, this software requires TGZ files, but if you want to migrate directly from the Zimbra account use the BitRecover ZDB Converter Wizard.

Que 4: Does the software require an internet connection?

Ans: No, there is no need for an internet connection for Zimbra to Microsoft 365 migration.

Over to You

Testing and executing the mentioned steps create ease to move all emails, contacts, calendars, briefcases, etc. from Zimbra to Microsoft 365. Even, Zimbra to Microsoft 365 migration tool comes up with a demo edition for testing software before purchasing. After using the tool, I found it to be a worthy tool to migrate Zimbra to Microsoft 365 accounts.

To understand how the software works, we suggest you first take a free trial of the DEMO VERSION. It is available free of cost and gives you the facility to convert 25 items from the Zimbra folder to a supported format. For doing unlimited Zimbra mail server migration to Microsoft 365, quickly purchase the license keys.