Insights

Fundamental Differences Between Google Workspace and Microsoft Tenant: A Migration Perspective – Part 2 - Nero Blanco

Written by Conrad Murray | Mar 23, 2026, 4:00:00 AM

Managing Google to Microsoft Migration with GAM7 and PowerShell

Migrating from Google Workspace to Microsoft 365 requires careful planning and execution. GAM7 (Google Apps Manager) is a powerful command-line tool that helps in extracting and managing data from Google Workspace, allowing administrators to migrate user data, emails, calendars, and contacts. PowerShell, on the other hand, is a versatile scripting language that automates tasks and configurations in Microsoft 365, such as user creation, licensing, and permissions management. Using both tools in conjunction can streamline the migration process and reduce manual effort.


Detailed Differences Between Email and Drive/SharePoint

Email: Gmail vs. Exchange Online

Feature Gmail Exchange Online
Organization Uses labels instead of folders Uses a traditional folder-based structure
Storage Model Emails stored in Google’s distributed cloud Stored in dedicated Exchange mailboxes
Integration Works seamlessly with Google Chat, Meet Deep integration with Teams, SharePoint, and Outlook
Security & Compliance Advanced spam filtering, less granular policies Comprehensive compliance policies, legal hold, retention tags
Archiving & Backup Google Vault for archiving and retention In-place archiving, litigation hold, and DLP features

File Storage: Google Drive vs. OneDrive & SharePoint

Feature Google Drive OneDrive & SharePoint
Storage Model Individual storage, shared drives Personal OneDrive storage, team SharePoint sites
File Types Google-native formats (Docs, Sheets, Slides) Office formats (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
Collaboration Real-time editing, simple permissions Real-time co-authoring, advanced permissions with AD integration
Permissions Link-based sharing with granular controls Role-based access (Owner, Member, Visitor) in SharePoint
Versioning Basic versioning for edits and history Advanced versioning, document approval workflows
Compliance & Security Google Vault for retention Sensitivity labels, eDiscovery, DLP policies

Pitfalls When Migrating from Google to Microsoft

  1. Data Loss During Migration: Migration tools may not handle every file type or metadata correctly, potentially leading to data loss or corruption.
    • Solution: Test migration with a small subset of data first and carefully validate data integrity.
  2. Email Formatting Issues: Gmail and Exchange Online have different formats for storing and displaying email messages, which may lead to formatting discrepancies.
    • Solution: Use specialized email migration tools to preserve email formatting and structure.
  3. File Compatibility: Files created in Google Drive may not easily convert to Office formats, particularly Google-native formats.
    • Solution: Pre-convert files to compatible formats or leverage Microsoft’s tools for file conversion.
  4. User Training and Adoption: Migrating to Microsoft 365 may require significant user training, especially if employees are accustomed to the simplicity of Google Workspace.
    • Solution: Provide training and resources to help users transition smoothly to the Microsoft 365 environment.
  5. Integration Challenges: Some third-party apps or integrations used in Google Workspace may not have equivalent solutions in Microsoft 365.
    • Solution: Perform an audit of existing integrations and research available Microsoft 365 solutions or third-party apps.
View full post