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How to Move Microsoft 365 Business Account to a Different Domain or Tenant
Question details
An organization needs to migrate a Microsoft 365 Business account from an old Exchange domain to a new domain or tenant while preserving Exchange mailboxes and SharePoint data with minimal downtime.
- Product
- Microsoft 365
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Performing a tenant-to-tenant migration for an organization changing domains.
- Observed behavior
- Microsoft 365 organizations cannot be merged directly, requiring a structured migration plan to transfer data and reassign the custom domain.
Before starting the migration, ensure you have Global Administrator access to both the source and target Microsoft 365 tenants and a complete inventory of all users, mailboxes, and SharePoint sites.
Perform a Tenant-to-Tenant Migration
Since Microsoft 365 organizations cannot be merged directly, you must manually migrate data from the source tenant to the target tenant and transfer the domain.
A direct merge between two Microsoft 365 tenants is not supported by Microsoft. You must perform a cross-tenant migration for both Exchange mailboxes and SharePoint data. This involves verifying the new domain, moving the data, and finally removing the custom domain from the old organization to attach it to the new one.
Log in to the target Microsoft 365 Admin Center and ensure the new tenant is set up with sufficient licenses for all incoming users.
Create user accounts in the target tenant and assign appropriate Exchange mailbox and SharePoint site permissions.
Use Microsoft's cross-tenant mailbox migration tools and SharePoint migration tools to move the content from the source tenant to the target tenant.
Once the data is migrated, detach the old custom domain from the original Microsoft 365 organization. Then, add and verify that custom domain in the new target tenant.
Configure your DNS records (such as MX and TXT records) to route mail to the new tenant and verify that email flow is functioning correctly.
Looking for a Cost-Effective Office Suite During Your Transition?
If your organization is restructuring or migrating tenants, consider WPS Office as a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office. It offers a familiar interface, ensuring a seamless migration for your team without additional licensing costs.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the installation package for your organization's devices.
- 2. Install and open documents: Install the software and open your existing Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files directly in WPS Office.
- 3. Work seamlessly: Enjoy full editing, formatting, and saving capabilities without needing an active Microsoft 365 subscription.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I merge two Microsoft 365 tenants directly?
No, Microsoft 365 does not support direct merging of two organizations. You must perform a cross-tenant migration to move mailboxes, SharePoint files, and other data from one tenant to the other.
Can I keep my custom domain when moving to a new Microsoft 365 tenant?
Yes, but a custom domain can only be associated with one Microsoft 365 tenant at a time. You must completely remove it from the old tenant before you can add and verify it in the new tenant.
What happens to SharePoint data during a tenant migration?
SharePoint data does not move automatically. You must use Microsoft's cross-tenant SharePoint migration features or third-party migration software to transfer sites, document libraries, and permissions to the new tenant.
Will there be email downtime when moving a custom domain to a new tenant?
Yes, there is typically a brief period of downtime when you remove the domain from the source tenant, update your DNS records, and verify the domain in the target tenant. It is highly recommended to schedule this step during off-peak hours.
