An Exchange Server to Microsoft 365 migration is the most direct way off aging mail servers. If your business email still runs on a Microsoft Exchange Server in a closet or server room, or on a hosted Exchange service, now is the time to move. Naples Computers, Inc. is a Microsoft Partner that has completed hundreds of email migrations, and we move Exchange to Microsoft 365 with zero downtime: everything is built and copied before your mail is ever rerouted.
According to Microsoft, support for Exchange Server 2016 and Exchange Server 2019 ended on October 14, 2025 (Microsoft Learn: Exchange Server 2019 and 2016 End of Support Roadmap). Microsoft states that it no longer provides:
Microsoft notes that the server will keep running, but it strongly recommends migrating as soon as possible. Older versions, such as Exchange 2013 and 2010, were already out of support. (See Microsoft’s lifecycle pages for Exchange Server 2016 and Exchange Server 2019.)
For a small business, an internet-facing mail server that no longer receives security fixes is a real risk. Email is one of the most common ways attackers try to get into a company.
Microsoft lists two paths forward: move to Microsoft 365, or upgrade on-premises to Exchange Server Subscription Edition (SE). Microsoft calls migrating to Microsoft 365 “the best and simplest option” for retiring Exchange 2016 or 2019, and for most small offices it means no more server hardware, no more patching and no more upgrade cycles.
On-premise Exchange runs on a server you own, usually in your office. Hosted Exchange runs on a provider’s servers, such as Rackspace or Intermedia, and you pay that provider per mailbox. We migrate both to Microsoft 365 the same careful way:
Moving to Microsoft 365 also brings your email together with OneDrive, SharePoint and Teams under one subscription.
Exchange environments that have been running for years tend to collect more than just mailboxes. During the assessment we document all of it so nothing gets left behind:
We follow the same proven sequence on every Exchange migration:
Don’t just unplug it. Once we’ve confirmed every mailbox and folder arrived, we help you retire the old server properly.
There’s one important technical detail. Microsoft explains that if you keep syncing user accounts from your on-premises Active Directory to Microsoft 365 with Microsoft Entra Connect, you need to keep at least one Exchange server for managing recipients, and Microsoft recommends that it be upgraded to Exchange Server SE (Microsoft Learn). If you don’t need directory sync, Exchange can be fully decommissioned. We’ll explain which applies to you before anything is removed.
We also check what else that server is doing. In many small offices the “Exchange server” is also the file server, the domain controller or the print server, and those jobs need a new home before the hardware is retired. After that, we’ll talk with you about wiping, recycling or repurposing the hardware.
Talk to a local Microsoft Partner about moving off Exchange. Call 239-513-1960 for a free migration plan, or send us a message.
As part of the migration, we set up multi-factor authentication for your users and spam and phishing filtering with N-able Mail Assure. We’ll also talk with you about backing up your Microsoft 365 data. Once you’re settled, our Microsoft 365 management and managed IT services keep things running, with local support from our Naples team on-site, remotely or at our shop at 2308 Immokalee Rd. Learn more about our full Microsoft 365 migration service and all of our business IT services.
It will keep running, but Microsoft no longer provides security fixes, bug fixes or technical support for Exchange 2016 or 2019. Microsoft strongly recommends migrating as soon as possible.
Microsoft offers Exchange Server SE for organizations that need to stay on-premises. For many small businesses, Microsoft 365 removes the need to buy, patch and maintain server hardware. We’ll go over both paths with you during the assessment.
Yes. We migrate hosted Exchange services, such as Rackspace and Intermedia, to Microsoft 365 using the same zero-downtime process.
They can move to public folders in Microsoft 365 or be reorganized into shared mailboxes, shared calendars or SharePoint, depending on how your team uses them. We’ll recommend the best option during the assessment.
Usually, yes. Outlook needs to connect to the new Microsoft 365 mailbox. We handle that on every computer, phone and tablet, and we update the Autodiscover record so Outlook finds the new mailbox automatically.
No. We hold your MX records until Microsoft 365 is fully built and synced, then switch over and run a final sync. Mail keeps flowing the whole time.
Call 239-513-1960 or use our contact form for a free migration plan from Naples Computers. We Make I.T. Happen!™
