Migrating from Google Workspace to Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365) is a common transition for businesses looking to leverage Microsoft’s ecosystem. However, while the migration process is relatively straightforward, there are several limitations and challenges that organizations must be aware of before making the move.
📧 Email Migration Limitations
Label to Folder Conversion
Google Workspace uses labels instead of folders. When migrating to Microsoft 365, labels are converted into folders, leading to potential duplication and confusion in email organization.
Email Attachment Size Limits
Microsoft 365 imposes a 150 MB attachment size limit, whereas Google Workspace allows up to 25 MB for sending and up to 50 MB for receiving emails.
Rate Limits & Throttling
Microsoft imposes migration throttling to control server loads, which can slow down email migration, especially for large mailboxes.
Google Drive to OneDrive Migration Challenges 
File Permission Differences
Google Drive has a more granular sharing structure, and permissions do not always translate perfectly to OneDrive or SharePoint.Shared files may need to be manually re-shared with the correct permissions in Microsoft 365.
Google Docs Format Conversion
Native Google files (Docs, Sheets, Slides) must be converted to Microsoft formats (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), which can lead to formatting inconsistencies.
Unsupported File Types
Some Google-specific file types, such as Google Forms and Google Sites, cannot be migrated directly and may require alternative solutions.
Calendar and Contacts Migration Limitations
Recurring Events Handling
Google Calendar and Outlook handle recurring events differently, which may cause inconsistencies or require manual adjustments after migration.
Resource Booking Issues
Room and resource bookings may not be transferred automatically and need to be recreated in Microsoft 365.
Chat and Google Meet Migration
Google Chat and Google Meet conversations are not migrated to Microsoft Teams by default. Organizations may need third-party tools or manual exports to retain historical chat data.
Security & Compliance Considerations
Data Loss Risks
Due to migration errors, some data may not transfer properly, requiring thorough validation post-migration.
Encryption & Security Policy Differences
Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace have different encryption methods and security policies that may need adjustments to meet compliance standards.Use Migration Tools – Microsoft offers a Google Workspace migration tool, but third-party solutions (e.g., BitTitan, CloudM) can provide more control and flexibility.
Plan for Downtime – Schedule the migration during off-peak hours to minimize disruptions.
Test Before Full Migration – Conduct a pilot migration to identify and resolve issues before rolling it out company-wide.
Reconfigure Permissions & Policies – Review and manually adjust file permissions, calendar settings, and security policies post-migration.
Provide Employee Training – Offer training sessions to help employees transition smoothly to Microsoft 365.
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