Errors about missing parameters when moving only a primary mailbox either to or from Exchange Online

  • Article
  • Applies to:
    Exchange Online, Exchange Server 2016 Enterprise Edition, Exchange Server 2016 Standard Edition, Exchange Server 2013 Enterprise, Exchange Server 2013 Standard Edition

Original KB number:   3160413

Onboard only a primary mailbox from Exchange on-premises to Exchange Online

You have a hybrid deployment of on-premises Exchange Server and Exchange Online in Microsoft 365. Your primary mailboxes are located in the on-premises environment and archive mailboxes are located in Exchange Online. When you try to move only a primary mailbox from the on-premises environment to Exchange Online by using the Exchange admin center (EAC) in Microsoft 365, you receive the following error message.

Error: MigrationPermanentException

ErrorSummary: You must specify the PrimaryOnly parameter

Cause

The EAC doesn't provide the option to move only a primary mailbox from an on-premises environment to Exchange Online. To do this, you must use the New-MoveRequest cmdlet.

Resolution

To move only a primary mailbox, use the New-MoveRequest cmdlet. Follow these steps:

  1. Run the following command to connect to Exchange Online PowerShell:

    Connect-ExchangeOnline

  2. Run the following command to initiate a mailbox migration from the on-premises environment to Exchange Online:

    New-MoveRequest -Identity <mailbox ID> -RemoteCredential (Get-Credential) -Remote -RemoteHostName <on-premises MRS proxy URL> -BatchName <name of batch> -PrimaryOnly -TargetDeliveryDomain <mail.onmicrosoft.com domain>

    Note: When you're prompted for credentials, enter your credentials for on-premises Exchange.

Offboard only a primary mailbox from Exchange Online to Exchange on-premises

You have a hybrid deployment of on-premises Exchange Server and Exchange Online in Microsoft 365 where the primary mailboxes and archive mailboxes are hosted in Exchange Online. When you try to offboard only a primary mailbox from Exchange Online to the on-premises environment by using the EAC in Microsoft 365, you receive the following error message.

Error: ParameterValueRequiredPermanentException

ErrorSummary: You must specify the ArchiveDomain parameter

Cause

The EAC doesn't have the option to move only a primary mailbox from Exchange Online to an on-premises environment.

Resolution

To move only a primary mailbox, use the New-MoveRequest cmdlet. Follow these steps:

  1. Run the following command to connect to Exchange Online PowerShell:

    Connect-ExchangeOnline

  2. Run the following command:

    New-MoveRequest  -Identity <mailbox ID> -Outbound -RemoteTargetDatabase <on-premises mailbox database> -RemoteHostName  <on-premises MRS proxy URL> -BatchName <name of batch> -PrimaryOnly -ArchiveDomain <mail.onmicrosoft.com domain> -TargetDeliveryDomain <on-premises domain> -RemoteCredential (Get-Credential)

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