Microsoft Exchange Server migration from 2007 to 2016
Solved Cloud & Migration
AJ
Andrew Jackson
November 8, 2018
2 replies
9,210 views
Reviewed by moderators

We are still on Exchange 2007 with about 150 mailboxes and need to reach 2016. I read there is no direct upgrade path between these versions. What is the sane migration route?

Accepted Answer
Verified by Edwin J. Hoffer, Email Systems Specialist ยท Reviewed November 2018

Correct, 2007 to 2016 has no direct coexistence. Two routes:

1
Double hop: migrate 2007 to 2010 or 2013 first, then to 2016. Fully supported but you build and decommission an entire intermediate environment.
2
Direct jump with a tool: export mailboxes from 2007 and import to a fresh 2016 org. SysTools Exchange Migrator moves mailboxes, shared mailboxes and public folders directly between the versions and skips the intermediate hop entirely.

At 150 mailboxes the direct jump saves weeks. Budget a pilot batch of 10 mailboxes first either way.

Direct route with a 10 mailbox pilot then the rest over two weekends. On 2016 now. Solved.