Migrate Office 365 to Exchange Subscription Edition (SE)

Summary: Are you planning to migrate Microsoft 365 to Exchange Server subscription edition (SE) and looking for a clear, reliable approach? If yes the here are all the answers.

Exchange Online to Exchange Server migration—also called Exchange Online to On-Premise Migration—helps organizations move their email data from the cloud back to local servers without losing information. This blog explains why businesses choose this move, compares Microsoft 365 with on-premises Exchange, and walks you through easy manual methods and a professional solution to complete the migration smoothly, even if you are not a technical expert.

Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365) is a popular cloud-based productivity suite that includes Outlook, Exchange Online, SharePoint, Word, Excel, and more. It offers flexibility, remote access, and reduced infrastructure management, making it a great starting point for many organizations.

On the other hand, Microsoft Exchange Server (On-Premises) is a server-side email and collaboration platform installed and managed with an organization’s own infrastructure. Exchange Server Subscription Edition (SE) is the successor to Exchange Server 2019. While it is still technically an “on-premises” server, it marks a significant shift in how Microsoft handles licensing, support, and updates. It gives businesses full control over mailboxes, data storage, compliance, and customization.

Difference Between Microsoft 365 and Exchange Server (On-Premises)

Feature	Microsoft 365	Exchange Server (On-Premises)
Best For	SMBs, remote teams	Enterprises with strict compliance
Deployment	Cloud-based, managed by Microsoft	Installed and managed on local servers
Control & Ownership	Limited administrative control	Full control over data and configuration
Security	Microsoft-managed data centers	Organization-managed security & compliance
Maintenance	Automatic updates by Microsoft	Manual updates by the IT team
Backup Responsibility	Limited native protection	Fully managed by the organization
Accessibility	Accessible from anywhere with internet	Requires VPN or internal network access
Storage	Subscription-based limits	Depends on server hardware

Many large organizations initially adopt Microsoft 365 for its convenience but later decide to migrate Microsoft 365 to Exchange Server due to compliance needs, cost considerations, or the requirement for deeper administrative control. This process—known as Exchange Online to On-Premise Migration—allows businesses to bring their cloud mailbox back on local servers safely.

Reasons to Migrate Microsoft 365 to Exchange Server (SE)

Organizations choose On-Premises Exchange over Exchange Online for several practical reasons:

• Full ownership and control over sensitive business data.
• Long-term cost reduction by avoiding recurring cloud subscriptions.
• Compliance requirements in industries like finance, healthcare, and legal.
• Need for advanced customization and internal integrations.
• Hybrid Exchange environments moving fully on-premises.
• Local backup and disaster recovery control.
• Reduced dependency on constant internet availability.

Manual Methods to Migrate Microsoft 365 to Exchange Server

Migrating from Microsoft 365 to an on-premises Exchange server is not a one-click task. It requires careful planning, directory synchronization, and mailbox mapping. Manual methods involve PowerShell commands, PST handling, and temporary downtime. Therefore, always test the migration with a pilot mailbox, take full backups, and validate server readiness before starting. Below are mentioned the commonly used manual approaches. Each method serves different organizational needs and sizes.

Approach 1: Export Microsoft 365 Mailboxes to PST and Import into Exchange Server

It is the most commonly used manual approach for small environments.

Step 1: Export Microsoft 365 Data to PST

1. Configure the Microsoft 365 mailbox in Outlook desktop.
2. Go to File > Open & Export > Import/Export.
3. Select Export to a file and choose Outlook Data File (.pst).
4. Export required folders and save the PST file.

Step 2: Import PST into On-Premises Exchange Edition

1. Configure the on-premises Exchange mailbox in Outlook.
2. Use Import/Export again to import the PST.
3. Drag and drop data into the Exchange mailbox folders.

Method 2: Exchange Online to On-Premise Migration Using Hybrid Deployment:

This method is suitable if your organisation already has a Hybrid Exchange setup.

1. Ensure Exchange Server is fully patched and supported.
2. Install and configure Azure AD Connect.
3. Confirm cloud mailboxes have matching on-prem AD objects.
4. Download and run the Hybrid Configuration Wizard.
5. Choose Full Hybrid or Minimal Hybrid.
6. In the Exchange Admin Center, create a new migration batch.
7. Select Move to this forest.
8. Monitor migration progress from the dashboard.
9. Update MX and Autodiscover records after completion.

Method 3: PowerShell-Based Exchange Online to Exchange Server Migration

It is technically a method used by experienced administrators.

1. Check the Exchange GUID of on-prem and cloud mailboxes.
2. Install the Azure AD PowerShell module.
3. Connect to Microsoft 365 using Global Admin credentials.
4. Match the Exchange GUIDs using PowerShell commands.
5. Run a full Azure AD Connect synchronization.
6. Create and run a migration batch from the Exchange Admin Centre.
7. Complete mailbox offboarding to on-premises Exchange.

Drawbacks of Manual Methods

Although manual methods are free and Microsoft-supported, they come with several common limitations regardless of the approach used:

• Require strong technical knowledge of Exchange, Azure AD, and PowerShell.
• Time-consuming and difficult to manage for multiple or large mailboxes.
• Higher risk of human error during configuration and GUID mapping.
• Limited scalability for enterprise-level migrations.
• Possible downtime during cutover and DNS changes.
• No built-in automation, scheduling, or retry mechanism.

Note: Microsoft 365 E3 and E5 plans actually include the “dual use” rights for Exchange SE. This means if you pay for M365 E3 ($36/user/month), you don’t have to buy separate CALs for your on-premises server.

Professional Method to Migrate Microsoft 365 to Exchange Subscription Edition (SE)

Manual Methods often become challenging due to technical complexity, data risk, and time constraints. To overcome these issues, organisations prefer professional tools like the Shoviv Exchange Migration Tool. This solution simplifies Exchange Online to Exchange Server migration by offering automation, accuracy, and zero data loss through an intuitive graphical interface.

Shoviv supports bulk and selective mailbox migration without size limitations. It can handle PST, OST, EDB files, and even corrupted mailboxes, making it ideal for enterprises and beginners alike.

Features of Shoviv Exchange Migration Tool

• Direct Microsoft 365 to Exchange Server migration.
• Allow migration from your legacy Exchange 2019, 2016.
• No mailbox size or count limitations.
• Advanced data filtering options.
• Automatic mailbox mapping.
• Scheduler and incremental migration features.
• Supports hybrid and non-hybrid environments.

Steps to Migrate Microsoft 365 to Exchange Server (SE) Using Shoviv Software

Follow these simplified steps to perform a secure and smooth Exchange Online to Exchange Server migration using the Shoviv tool:

1. Download, install and launch the Shoviv Exchange Migration Tool on your system.
2. Create the Source connection by choosing Microsoft 365 and authenticating using admin credentials.
3. Create the Target connection by selecting the On-Premises Exchange Server and providing the required server details.
4. Tap on Create Migration Job to begin the migration setup.
5. Choose the mailbox selection method (all mailboxes or selective mailboxes) as per your requirement.
6. Map source mailboxes with target Exchange mailboxes automatically or manually.
7. Apply advanced filters (date range, folders, item types) if you want selective data migration.
8. Configure migration settings such as thread count and scheduling options.
9. Start the migration process and monitor real-time progress through the dashboard.
10. After completion, verify migrated mailboxes on the on-premises Exchange Server.

Gist of the Blog:

This blog explained the most effective ways to migrate Microsoft 365 to Exchange Server subscription edition (SE), helping users to choose the right approach based on their size, technical expertise, and business needs.

We discussed free manual methods, which are suitable for small environments but often involve complexity, risks, and downtime. For users seeking a safer and scalable solution, professional tools like Shoviv Exchange Migration Tool offer reliable alternatives. It provides a streamlined way to perform an Exchange Online to Exchange Server migration without data loss or technical hassle.

By opting for the right method and testing the process in advance, organisations can complete Exchange Online to On-Premise Migration while maintaining data integrity and business continuity.

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