Migrate from Google Workspace to Office 365: Best Solutions
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Written By
Aradhya Jain -
Approved By
Shivam Rathore -
Updated on
June 2nd, 2026 - Read Time
7 minutes
User Query: We’re a small business with 6 users on Google Workspace. We want to move to Microsoft 365 without losing emails, contacts, or calendars. What’s the safest way to do it?
Introduction: To migrate from Google Workspace to Office 365, you have two methods: (1) use Microsoft’s built-in Exchange Admin Center migration wizard. (2) Use a dedicated third-party tool like DRS Softech Google Workspace to Microsoft 365 Migration Tool for faster, bulk, and error-free transfer. The best migration approach depends on factors such as mailbox size, number of users, migration complexity, available technical expertise, and downtime requirements. This guide explains both methods, their advantages, and limitations with minimal disruption and no data loss.
Why Migrate Google Workspace to Office 365?
Some organizations explore different migration paths before making a final decision. For example, businesses that want to remain within Google’s ecosystem may choose to move Google Workspace to Gmail, while others migrate to Microsoft 365 for its collaboration and security features. Common reasons for migration include:
- Better integration with Microsoft Outlook and Teams.
- Centralized user and device management.
- Advanced security and compliance controls.
- Improved collaboration through SharePoint and OneDrive.
- Compatibility with Microsoft Office applications.
- Enterprise-grade email management through Exchange Online.
Real-World Scenario: Growing Business Switching to Microsoft 365
A consulting company with 25 employees had been using Google Workspace for several years. As more clients requested Microsoft Teams meetings and Office document collaboration, employees began working across two separate ecosystems.
The IT team noticed productivity issues caused by switching between Google and Microsoft platforms. To simplify operations, the company decided to migrate all Gmail mailboxes, contacts, and calendars to Microsoft 365.
The biggest concern was preserving historical emails and avoiding downtime during business hours. After proper planning and user mapping, the migration was completed successfully without data loss.
Method 01: Migrate from Google Workspace to Office 365 Using EAC
Microsoft provides a built-in migration feature in the Exchange Admin Center (EAC) that allows administrators to migrate emails from Google Workspace to Microsoft 365. Before starting the migration, ensure that all Google Workspace migration prerequisites have been completed. It includes user provisioning, domain verification, and Google API configuration.
Step 01: Open Exchange Admin Center
Sign in to your Microsoft 365 Admin Center and open the Exchange Admin Center. Navigate to Migration and click Add Migration Batch.
Step 02: Create a Migration Batch
Enter a unique name for the migration batch and verify that Migration to Exchange Online is selected as the migration path. Click Next to continue.
Step 03: Select Google Workspace Migration & Configure Permissions
On the migration type page, choose Google Workspace (Gmail) Migration and proceed to the next step. Configure the required Google Workspace migration settings, including creating a Google Service Account, enabling APIs, and granting domain-wide access permissions. Microsoft also provides an automated configuration option that simplifies several prerequisite tasks.
Step 04: Create a Migration Endpoint
Create a new migration endpoint or select an existing one. If creating a new endpoint, provide:
- Migration Endpoint Name
- Google Workspace Admin Email Address
- Service Account JSON Key File
Step 05: Import User Mailboxes
Prepare a CSV file containing the user accounts you want to migrate and upload it to the migration wizard. Example:
- EmailAddress
- user1@company.com
- user2@company.com
Step 06: Configure Migration Settings
Select the target delivery domain and choose the mailbox components you want to migrate, such as: Emails, Contacts, Calendars, and Rules.
Step 07: Complete the Move from Google Workspace to Office 365
Review all migration details and click Save. The migration batch will start processing the selected Google Workspace mailboxes and transferring data to Microsoft 365 accounts.
Step 08: Monitor and Complete the Migration
Monitor the migration status from the Exchange Admin Center. Once the status changes from Syncing to Synced, complete the migration batch and verify that all emails, contacts, and calendars have been transferred successfully.
Limitations of the Manual Method
Time estimate: 2–5 business days for a 50-user organization. Larger tenants take proportionally longer. |
Method 02: Professional Tool to Migrate from Google Workspace to Office 365
For bulk or simple migration, users can use the DRS Softech Google Workspace Backup Tool. The software allows users to migrate multiple Google Workspace mailboxes to Office 365 in a single operation without affecting the original data. It supports bulk migration and helps reduce the manual effort involved in large-scale projects.
The tool uses secure authentication methods to connect source and destination accounts. User credentials remain protected throughout the migration process, and no mailbox data is stored on external servers. In addition, the software supports multiple migration destinations. For example, users can migrate Google Workspace to Zoho Mail, Office 365, IMAP-based accounts, and other cloud email platforms based on their business requirements.
Simple Steps to Migrate from Google to Microsoft 365
- Download & install the DRS Softech G Suite Backup Tool.
- Enter your Google Workspace details to Sign In.
- You can select the Google apps to convert. Click Next.
- Now, write your Office 365 credentials to Sign In.
- Lastly, apply advanced features and click Backup to G Suite to Office 365 Migration.
Additional features:
- Delta Migration: After the main migration, only new or changed data is transferred. This is critical for a cutover migration where users continue working in Google Workspace until the final DNS switch.
- Folder structure preservation: Gmail labels are mapped to Outlook folders with original hierarchy intact.
- Selective migration: Migrate specific date ranges, specific users, or specific mailbox types — you don’t have to move everything at once.
- Saving File Formats: With the help of this tool, you can export Google Workspace Email to PST, MSG, MBOX, EML, PDF, CSV, and more.
- Re-Run Full Migration: If any data was skipped, this option ensures a complete second pass.
Conclusion
In this blog, we discussed the two most common methods to migrate from Google Workspace to Office 365. The manual Exchange Admin Center method is suitable for organizations with technical expertise and smaller migration projects. However, businesses managing multiple users or large mailboxes often prefer automated migration tools to simplify the process and reduce administrative effort. By choosing the right migration approach, organizations can transfer emails, contacts, and calendars to Microsoft 365 with minimal downtime and without data loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ans. To migrate from Google Workspace to Office 365 safely, use the Exchange Admin Center or a professional migration tool. Always verify user accounts, create a backup, and validate migrated emails, contacts, and calendars after the process.
Ans. Migration time depends on mailbox size and user count. Small migrations may take a few hours, while larger organizations with multiple users and large mailboxes may require several days to complete.
Ans. Administrators typically use bulk migration methods that support user mapping, batch processing, and mailbox filtering. This helps transfer multiple user accounts simultaneously while preserving mailbox structure and data integrity.
Ans. For small migrations, Microsoft’s built-in migration wizard works well. For larger projects, professional migration tool provides faster processing, bulk migration support, advanced filters, and reduced administrative effort.
Ans. Yes, enterprise administrators can migrate shared mailboxes, emails, contacts, and calendars to Office 365. Proper mailbox configuration and permission settings are required before starting the migration process.
Ans. Many enterprises migrate to Office 365 for advanced security, compliance features, Exchange Online, Microsoft Teams integration, and better collaboration through SharePoint, OneDrive, and Microsoft Office applications.
Ans. Yes, IT consultants and MSPs frequently migrate multiple Google Workspace tenants to Office 365. Professional migration tools help manage bulk projects efficiently while ensuring secure and accurate data transfer.
