How to migrate Exchange 2007 to Office 365

Many organizations, using older Exchange versions such as the Exchange 2007, are moving to cloud-based email solutions, such as Microsoft 365 as it offers flexibility and better data security. However, Exchange 2007 to Microsoft 365 migration is not an easy task as it requires extensive planning and preparation.

To ease the Exchange 2007 to Microsoft 365 migration process, in this article, we'll be highlighting one of the simplest ways to migrate all existing and deleted Exchange mailboxes from Exchange 2007 to Microsoft 365. But before we go to that, let's have a quick look at different ways to migrate Exchange to Microsoft 365.

Ways to Migrate Multiple Mailboxes from Exchange 2007 to Office 365

There are 3 ways to migrate Exchange 2007 to Office 365,

1. Cutover Migration

When you migrate the contents of user mailboxes from Exchange 2007 to Office 365 as a part of Office 365 deployment at one time, it is referred to as Cutover Migration. It is one of the most advisable methods for Exchange 2007 to Office 365 migration. However, you should use this method if the number of mailboxes is less than 2000.

2. Staged Migration

When you migrate user mailboxes from Exchange to Office 365 as a part of Office 365 deployment over time, it is referred to as Staged Migration. Staged Migration is used to move mailboxes in batch and advisable if the total number of mailboxes to be moved from Exchange 2007 to Office 365 is more than 2000.

3. IMAP-based Migration

If your Exchange server supports Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP), you can use this technique to complete the migration too. However, with this method, you'll only be able to move the items in the user's email folders. Contacts, calendar items, and tasks can't be migrated with IMAP. This method also doesn't create mailboxes in Office 365. You'll have to create the mailbox for each user before migrating their emails.

NOTE: Hybrid Migration is not available for Exchange 2007.

Now that you're clear on the options available for Exchange 2007 to Office 365, let's see which of them suits your purpose best and how.

Useful Tip: Plan your migration with Exchange Server Deployment Assistant Tool.

The Simplest Way to Perform Exchange 2007 to Office 365 Migration

Particularly, you need a migration technique that's capable of working with Exchange 2007. Since the Hybrid Migration technique is not available for Exchange 2007 and IMAP method has several limitations, you are left with the Cutover and the Staged Migration techniques to migrate Exchange 2007 to Office 365.

Based on the number of user mailboxes in Exchange 2007, you can choose whether you want to follow the Cutover Migration or Staged Migration.

Below, we've discussed the steps to perform Cutover Migration from Exchange 2007 to Office 365.

Before Migration

• Always plan and test the migration technique on test servers before the actual implementation
• Backup Exchange Mailboxes and Database files

Steps to Migrate Exchange 2007 to Office 365 by Using Cutover Migration

Following are the steps to move Exchange 2007 to Office 365 by using the Cutover Migration technique.

Step 1: Plan Migration

Before moving Exchange 2007 to Office 365, you need careful planning. Consider the following points before you begin the migration,

• Communicate changes to users
• Enable Outlook Anywhere (OA) on your on-premises Exchange 2007 (if not already)
• Get a certificate issued by trusted Certification Authority (CA) with OA and Autodiscover services
• Check if you can connect to Exchange by using OA (outside the network). You may also use Microsoft Exchange Remote Connectivity Analyzer
• Assign Full Permission access for all mailboxes on Exchange 2007 to user (Administrator) account that you are going to use for Exchange 2007 to Office 365 migration
• Disable Unified Messaging before migration
• Create security groups if you want security groups in Office 365

Step 2: Testing the Existing Setup

For this process to work, the Exchange 2007 infrastructure should support Outlook Anywhere (RPC over HTTP) and Autodiscover. Verify it by using the guide from Exchange Deployment Assistant. Then use the MS Remote Connectivity Analyzer (RCA) to verify Outlook Anywhere (RPC over HTTP). Assign all required permissions to the mailboxes that are to be migrated by following these steps (missing these step will cause the migration to fail),

• Open the RCA website
• Select the Outlook Anywhere (RPC over HTTP) test
• Click Next
• Enter all required information
• Type in the Verification code and then click on Perform Test

If the process fails or gives warnings, refer the guide and correct any mistakes before attempting again. If the test is successful, continue to the next step.

Step 3: Configure and Start Cutover Migration

For this, follow the given steps:

• Login to Office 365 Admin Center and then open the Exchange Admin Center (EAC)
• In EAC, click Migration and then click on the +
• From drop down options, choose Migrate to Exchange Online

• Then select Cutover Migration… and then click Next

• Enter the on-premises account details and click Next
• Provide a name for the New Migration Batch and click Next
• Select a recipient for the migration report at the end of the process. You may select multiple accounts here
• Choose to 'Automatically start the batch' or 'Manually start the batch later' depending upon your readiness
• Click New to create a new migration batch. Its status should be syncing

This will take a while to complete based on the number of accounts and the amount of data. You can view Migration details by clicking View Details under the Mailbox Status.

Step 4: Completion of the Migration

After the sync is complete from Exchange 2007 to Office 365, a report is emailed to complete the migration process. Once done, perform the following tasks,

1. Migrate Public Folders to Office 365
2. Assign Office 365 licenses to the users
3. Verify and update all the DNS records and point towards Office 365 services
4. Configure the systems to use Office 365 services
5. Once done, stop the batch migration job

At this point, you can decommission the Exchange 2007 server.

Migrate Mailboxes from Exchange 2007 to Office 365 by using Stellar Converter for EDB

Though the above process seems simple, it might be a tedious job for beginners. You may also receive errors and require to fix them. Plus, there may be a risk of losing some data during the manual Cutover Migration process. To avoid all hassles and make the Exchange 2007 to Office 365 migration process easier, export the mailboxes from Exchange 2007 database file(s) (EDB) to Office 365 directly with the help of Stellar Converter for EDB. 

Here are the steps to migrate mailboxes from Exchange 2007 to Office 365,

Step 1: Install and launch Stellar Converter for EDB software

Step 2: Click on Offline EDB

Step 3: Click 'Browse' to select the Exchange 2007 database and then click 'Next'

Step 4: Click 'Save' and then choose Export to Office 365 Option

Step 5: Enter Office 365 Credentials and click OK

Step 6: Mailboxes save to Office 365 Account

Step 7: This lists the mapped and unmapped source EDB mailboxes. To manually map the mailbox or change the mapped mailbox, click on Map Mailbox

Step 8: The screen displays all the Office 365 mailbox IDs that can be mapped. Once done, click 'OK' to start exporting

Note: You need to have a Microsoft Office 365 user account for exporting data to Office 365 and Office 2013 or Office 2010 with Service Pack 2 installed on the system.

Moreover, you can also convert the Exchange 2007 database file (EDB) into PST format by using the software and then import it into Office 365.

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