How to Migrate from Google Workspace to Microsoft 365

Google Workspace to Microsoft 365 migration is one of the most common IT projects for growing Houston businesses — particularly those adding enterprise clients who require Microsoft environments. Done correctly, it is a clean, zero-data-loss transition. Done incorrectly, it means email loss, calendar chaos, and file structure destruction.

Plan Before You Migrate

The biggest migration mistakes happen from lack of planning. Before any technical work: document the number of mailboxes, total email data size, shared drives to migrate, calendar complexity (recurring events, shared calendars), Google Groups to migrate or replace, and third-party integrations with Google that need to be re-wired to Microsoft 365.

Email Migration: The Technical Reality

Gmail to Exchange Online migration uses Microsoft’s Migration API to copy email while the user continues receiving new email in Gmail. A hybrid period where both systems receive email is standard. The challenge: Google throttles migration bandwidth — large mailboxes can take days. Plan for 1-2 weeks of hybrid operation before DNS cutover. After cutover, mail flows to Exchange Online and Gmail is retired.

Google Drive to SharePoint/OneDrive

Google Drive migration is more complex than email because Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides must be converted to Microsoft Office formats (losing some formatting). Migration tools handle the conversion but result quality varies. Recommended approach: migrate to OneDrive for individual files and SharePoint for shared team content. Plan the SharePoint information architecture before migration — moving files to a well-designed structure rather than replicating the Google Drive chaos.

Calendar and Contacts

Google Calendar to Exchange Calendar migration preserves appointments but loses some Google-specific features. Recurring events need special handling. Shared calendars require manual recreation. Contacts migrate straightforwardly. Test thoroughly before DNS cutover — calendar issues discovered post-cutover are highly disruptive.

Google to M365 Migration Services

SpaceTown IT manages Google Workspace to Microsoft 365 migration for Houston businesses. See also Microsoft 365 migration. Call (832) 304-9748.