How to Migrate Kerio Emails to On-Premise Exchange

Those who want to transfer their Kerio Connect to an on-premises Exchange server. I am going to explain various methods and share the checklist in this blog. So, read the blog to the end.

But before learning the methods to transfer Kerio Connect to Exchange. Let’s understand the reasons to change your server.

Why do Users Want to Perform Kerio Connect to Exchange Migration?

• For security, Exchange provides you with high anti-spam, anti-malware, and protection from phishing.
• Along with this, it also supports business-standard regular compliance, which you will not get in Kerio Connect.
• Kerio stores individual emails in your system directory structure. Over time, saving tons of emails can slow your computer’s performance. However, the Exchange database is designed to store massive amounts of data.
• Many IT professionals are certified in Microsoft Exchange, whereas there are fewer administrators who are specialized in Kerio Connect.

These are the common reasons why people are migrating from Kerio to Exchange Server. Now, to move your data, I have created a checklist that you must go through before using manual methods.

Checklist to Properly Migrate Kerio Connect to Exchange Server

• First of all, go to your Kerio Connect account. Check all your active mailboxes, shared folders, public contacts, and calendars.
• Delete junk mail and empty your trash folder. If you find any duplicate or unnecessary data, remove it to reduce the size of the data. This makes the transfer faster.
• Make sure your destination desktop that is installed with Exchange has adequate storage and licensing.
• Use a high-bandwidth internet network. An unstable network will create sync problems, or you may lose your data.
• On your Exchange server, create all user mailboxes, distribution groups, and shared resources.
• To secure client access, you must install valid security certificates on your Exchange server.
• Don’t forget to create a Kerio Connect email backup to ensure your data will be saved during the migration.

What Data Can You Migrate and How?

You must also learn what type of data you can migrate from Kerio to Exchange. Also, how you can migrate them; all I have explained below.

• Emails: Many users want to transfer emails from Kerio Connect to an Exchange Server mailbox. For this, the IMAP protocol will help you.
• Attachments: Attachments will be transferred along with the email.
• Contacts and Calendars: You need another method to transfer contacts and calendars. IMAP only transfers your emails with attachments.

Export Kerio Connect Data to Exchange Server – Manual Method

To transfer your Kerio contacts and calendars, you need to manually export the data and import it. Here are the steps for this method.

1. Log in to your Kerio Connect client and go to the Contacts or Calendar section.
2. Select the Export button and choose CSV for contacts and ICS for calendars.
3. Save the file to your local desktop. Now, sign in to Outlook Web App.
4. Go to the People or Contacts icon. On the right side of the toolbar. Click the dropdown arrow next to Manage Contacts.
5. Select Import Contacts and browse your exported contact file. Click Import.
6. To import a calendar, go to the calendar icon in the left navigation.
7. Click Add calendar and then Upload from file.
8. Browse your ICS file, choose the calendar folder. Then, click Save or Import.

Migrate Kerio Emails to Exchange Server with Outlook Client

This is much simpler, as you have to first connect your Kerio account to Outlook and then connect Exchange to the same Outlook profile. Here are the detailed steps.

1. In your Outlook desktop software, go to the File option. Then select Add Account.
2. Provide the Kerio email address, password, and IMAP settings. The program will complete the configuration of the Kerio account.
3. In the same way, add the Exchange account to Outlook after properly syncing both accounts.
4. Go to the Kerio-configured folder, choose the email, and drag and drop it to the Exchange folder.

To migrate your mailbox, these two manual methods can help you. But while following them, you may face human error, sync problems, or even data loss. To avoid that, experts use professional software.

Use Professional Software to Migrate Kerio to Exchange Server

When it comes to moving your emails from IMAP-enabled Kerio to an on-premises Exchange server. SysTools Kerio Migrator will help you. The software helps you to directly move your mailbox in just a few steps. It is good for bulk migration as well as selective migration using the date filter option. The tool comes with a free demo version, which you can download and start migrating your mailbox easily.

How to Use the Software?

1. Once you have downloaded and installed the software on your computer.
   
2. Select IMAP as both source and destination. Then, click Email and apply a date filter as per your needs.
   
3. In your source dashboard, choose the Other option. Add Kerio IMAP settings and click the Validate button.
   
4. Select the Exchange option from the list of IMAP, and click the Validate button.
   
5. Add your source and destination IDs; in this, you can add multiple users’ email addresses.
   
6. Then, click the Start Migration button.
   

Concluding Words

Here are the methods to transfer Kerio emails to an on-premises Exchange server with manual and professional software. In this, I have explained ways to move your emails, contacts, and calendars very easily. Along with this, make sure you properly follow the checklist before migrating so you don’t have any problems during the procedure.