How to decommission an on-prem Exchange server in a hybrid config without losing functionality?

Kurt Stichelmans 561 Reputation points
2024-06-05T14:28:57.9166667+00:00

We have a Windows 2012R2 with an Exchange 2013. We set up everything to a hybrid environment with 365. That was no problem (hybrid configuration wizard).

We also, of course, have an AD sync with 365. We have no ADFS.

We migrated all mailboxes to 365, except some users we don't want at the side of 365. So we are ready to decommission the Exchange on-prem.

But I read this: https://video2.skills-academy.com/en-us/exchange/decommission-on-premises-exchange.

We want to keep the AD sync for new users to create on the AD on-prem. But we don't need the Exchange anymore and want to manage all mailbox related management on 365.

We configured the MX records to 365 and not to the Exchange anymore. So there will be no forwarding of messages anymore from on-prem to 365 via the name.mail.onmicrosoft.com.

But, if I'm not wrong, if we remove the Exchange on-prem we will not be able to change the properties of the mailboxes which were migrated in the hybrid environment? Is that correct?

And, you see how old that server is, is there a possiblility we can totally remove that on-prem Exchange without losing the functionality we definitely need in the future, like adding an alias to a mailbox e.g.?

Thanks for your feedback.

Kurt

Microsoft Exchange Hybrid Management
Microsoft Exchange Hybrid Management
Microsoft Exchange: Microsoft messaging and collaboration software.Hybrid Management: Organizing, handling, directing or controlling hybrid deployments.
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  1. Andy David - MVP 144.2K Reputation points MVP
    2024-06-05T15:14:07.9833333+00:00

    If you want to be supported, then you have to upgrade to Exchange 2019 and then follow that link from the doc that will allow you to remove the last Exchange Server and still manage from on-prem:

    https://video2.skills-academy.com/en-us/exchange/manage-hybrid-exchange-recipients-with-management-tools

    Otherwise, upgrade to Exchange 2019 and do not remove the server because 2013 is way out of support.

    Its not supported to remove the last Exchange Server otherwise in your scenario and manage objects on-prem directly in AD.

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