When Microsoft stopped supporting Exchange Server 2013 in April 2023, it raised worries about data safety by the users. Still, some users continue using it, if you are also one of them. Then experts advise you not to do this because there is a risk of security and compatibility issues. So, that’s why most of the users have decided to migrate Exchange 2013 to Office 365.
Plus, if you are wondering why only Office 365? There are many reasons for this, it provides various subscription plans in which Skype for Business Server, SharePoint, Teams, etc are included. Also, if you want to migrate Exchange 2013 mailbox to Office 365, then you have to follow step-by-step guidelines as one mistake can mess everything up.
It is recommended to read this blog entirely to explore all the solutions related to the query. Moreover, first, we will start our discussion with why opting for Office 365 over an On-Premise Exchange Server is so beneficial.
Why Users Want to Migrate Exchange 2013 Mailbox to Office 365?
There are several reasons that most users decide to migrate Exchange 2013 to Office 365. Below outlined are some of the main benefits to consider for Office 365:
- Office 365 allows you to access your data from anywhere with any device using an internet connection which enhances the remote work experience.
- Compared to Exchange Server, Office 365 provides better productivity tools, which helps to minimize the workload.
- Unlike an On-Premise Server where you need to manually update whenever there’s an update, Office 365 does this automatically.
- Office 365 provides robust security and backup options to ensure data continuity in accidental data loss scenarios. While the Exchange Server lacks this functionality.
So, users prefer to opt for Office 365 for easier access from anywhere, improved features, regular updates, better data safety, and staying ahead with modern technology. Next, we will talk about how to transfer your data with the help of manual techniques.
Read Also: Exchange Online vs On Premise
How to Migrate Exchange 2013 to Office 365?
To proceed with the transition MS provides the two methods which can help, and below are the instructions of the same:
Approach 1. Cutover migration
Before we start with the steps of this technique, the very first thing is to inform every user that this technique has some limitations. Plus, it lacks to move data in bulk and there is a limit of 2,000 mailboxes to be migrated at a time.
Here are the steps of the cutover technique:
- Start a migration batch online.
- In the Exchange Admin Center, go to Recipient > Migration. Set up the migration endpoint using Outlook everywhere.
- Choose ‘Migrate to Exchange Online’ from the menu.
- Activate mailboxes and finish the migration batch.
- Complete Office 365 setup and switch DNS to Office 365.
- Update Active Directory and DNS records.
- Set up a new Outlook profile and import data.
- Reconfigure mobile devices for the migration.
Approach 2. Hybrid Migration to Migrate Exchange 2013 to Office 365
While using this method you have to carefully understand this in-depth and this technique needs the technicalities to proceed with the task simply.
- Confirm your identity and domain in Microsoft 365.
- Initiate the migration.
- Sync directories to generate user accounts.
- Allocate Microsoft 365 licenses to users.
- Begin transferring user data.
By using these methods, you can get the job done. Also, it’s important to know they also have some drawbacks, which we’ll talk about further.
Why Do Experts Avoid Manual Methods?
The IT professionals do not recommend getting help from traditional techniques to migrate Exchange 2013 to Office 365. There are many reasons behind the same, a few of which are listed below:
- Simpler steps make fewer mistakes, but doing things manually during migration can lead to mistakes or losing data.
- The Hybrid Migration technique has lengthy and complex steps for the procedure, which means that this is a time-consuming approach. Also, it’s tough to stay organized and consistent when there are lots of steps to remember.
- Doing things manually might not work well for bigger migrations or when handling more data.
Above are the three main limitations of the conventional approaches. Moreover, if you are curious to know about the different method that streamlines the procedure, in the next section we will discuss the same.
Alternative Technique to Migrate Exchange 2013 Mailbox to Office 365
At present, luckily there is one of the best solutions which is SysTools Exchange to Office 365 Migration Tool to proceed with the transition. This tool offers functionalities to transfer entire data from Exchange On-Premise 2010, 2013, 2016, and 2019 to M365.
Also, with this, you won’t face any type of compatibility issue as it supports Windows Server 2012, 2016 Windows 10 & 11 (64-bit). Plus, if you want to know more about this utility. Then let’s have a quick look at the features of the same which are mentioned below:
- It can migrate specifically selected data like Email, Contacts, and Calendar to another platform.
- This solution provided the option to map the source and destination users, for a perfect transition.
- With this, you can transfer your information in bulk at the same time.
- If you recently received information after completing the procedure then you don’t need to restart the entire task as there is an option of Delta migration for this.
To See How the Tool Works, Just Follow these Steps
Step 1. Download and initiate the migration tool.
Step 2. Pick “Exchange” as the source and “Office 365” as the destination.
Step 3. Select desired categories (e.g., emails, contacts) in the Workload Selection.
Step 4. Utilize Date Filter and Group Mapping features for better control.
Step 5. Input essential Exchange Server specifics like version, admin email, and Active Directory data.
Step 6. In the Destination window, furnish Admin Email and Application ID.
Step 7. Add source users using options such as Fetch Users, Import Users, or Download Template.
Step 8. Click ‘Start Migration’ to launch the process seamlessly.
Also read: How Secure is Microsoft Outlook Email?
Final Words
In this guide, we understand in detail the frequently asked query i.e. how to migrate Exchange 2013 to Office 365, and the reasons behind it. Plus, we covered both manual and automated approaches to migrate Exchange 2013 mailbox to Office 365 efficiently. After reading the entire article we conclude that the mentioned smart solution is the best for this task.