How to Migrate Public Folder to Shared Mailbox in Office 365?

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Published on
March 21st, 2025

Updated on
March 28, 2025

1 minute Read

Summary: Many users look for a solution to migrate Public folder to Shared Mailbox to enhance business productivity. By migrating into the shared mailbox, users can easily manage their emails, unlike Public Folders. However, the process can be complicated for users to perform this process effortlessly. Consequently, we have the Office 365 Backup Tool and manual technique.   

Now, we will discuss the techniques to accomplish the task in minimal downtime with no data damage. Before moving towards methods, let’s understand the requirements of this process. 

Why Do Users Convert Public Folder to Shared Mailbox?

Once you read this section, your doubts about migrating data from a public folder to a shared mailbox will be answered. Now, let’s begin without delaying it further. 

  • Managing a shared mailbox offers more convenience compared to a public folder, as it eliminates permission issues commonly encountered with public folders. 
  • Unlike public folders, shared mailboxes seamlessly integrate with Microsoft collaboration tools like Microsoft Teams and Power Automate, enhancing efficiency and productivity.
  • With shared mailboxes, you can store up to 50GB of data without needing to upgrade your license, while public folders require an Exchange Plan 2 upgrade for additional storage.
  • Additionally, saving data in a shared mailbox allows users to manage and secure it more effectively, with advanced security features such as Multi-Factor Authentication providing enhanced protection against potential threats.

Effective Ways to Migrate Public Folder to Shared Mailbox

In the above section, you might understand the requirements for moving the public folder to a shared mailbox. If you want to gain these advantages, you have to move your data from the public folder to the shared mailboxes. To do this process, read the below methods. 

#1 Traditional Approach to Migrate Public Folders to Office 365 Shared Mailbox

Following the below instructions can help you do this task without costing you a sum.

Step 1. Save Public Folder Data into PST Format

  1. To start it, launch MS Outlook.
  2. Then, visit File – select Open & ExportImport/Export.
  3. Further, choose Export to a file and then click Outlook data file (.pst).
  4. In the end, pick the public folder and tap Next.

Step 2. Move PST File into Shared Mailboxes Using Microsoft 365 Admin Centre

  1. First of all, sign in to the global Office 365 admin account.
  2. Next, visit the Office 365 Admin CentreGroupsShared Mailboxes.
  3. Later, hit + Add a Mailbox – provide the desired name and email ID. Tap Add.
  4. Once the mailbox is added, tap Edit under the Members row. 
  5. Now, tick the user’s account with whom you want to share the mailbox. 
  6. After choosing the user account, tap Save

Now, all usernames and members with delegation rights to access the mailbox will be displayed on the screen. There is no guarantee the output will be accurate and without data loss. Therefore, try another approach with 100% data security. 

#2 Automated Procedures to Move Public Folder to Shared Mailbox

MacSonik Office 365 Email Backup Tool is an advanced and strong utility to complete the task efficiently and smoothly. Apart from this, it enables users to migrate Public Folder to Shared Mailbox in bulk without hampering data integrity. Additionally, it offers various incredible features to ease the process such as duplicate remover, selective email migration, and more. Other than this, this wizard is useful to Import PST to Exchange Online Mailbox without any issues. 

Detailed Steps to Convert Public Folder to Shared Mailbox

Here are the simple and easy steps to do this process with zero risk and effortlessly. 

  1. To use it, install and launch the Office 365 Backup Tool on the system.
  2. Then, click Backup -> Continue.
  3. After this, enter the login credentials of Office 365 and hit Sign In.
  4. Further, select the Public Folder to backup into Shared Mailboxes.
  5. After this, choose mailbox -> Next.
  6. Later, pick the folder you want to move. Press the Next option. 
  7. Afterwards, expand Migrate As and select Office 365.
  8. Thereafter, store the public folder at the desired location. Click Convert.

Also Read – Export Archive Mailbox to PST

Conclusion 

When you read this blog, your doubts might be clear now as this blog provides various effective solutions. It includes manual and professional Office 365 Backup Tool. Well, the native approach is useful for migrating a small amount of data. Otherwise, you might face huge data loss. As a result, many technical experts recommended automated tools to migrate Public Folder to Shared Mailboxes. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How to migrate Public folder to Shared mailbox?

For this task, you can follow the below steps carefully. 

1. First of all, extract public folder data into PST. 
2. Then create a shared mailbox via. Office 365 admin account. 

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