How to change/modify user email address in Exchange 2016 without losing his emails?

Question

Hi

I want to change/modify a user email address in exchange 2016 without losing his current emails.

for example the current email is ******@contoso.com, after changing it will be is ******@contoso.com.

So, as follow:

• How to change the user email "directly/permanent"? what steps need to be done to be sure that this change wont affect the current emails in the user mailbox, also sending and receiving emails?
• Also, How to do it by creating an alias?

Kind regards,

Answer 1

Hello SysAdmin

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I did some research, and it seems the easiest way is to set up an alias as you mentioned so that mail is automatically forwarded to the new address even if people still use your old address. All email addresses in the list will be forwarded to the default address.

Reference: Email address change in Exchange 2016

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(Please Note: Since the web site is not hosted by Microsoft, the link may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this information.)

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Regards SF

Answer 2

yesterday, I have found that it can be done through Exchange admin center

1. Select the account you want, double click on it
2. Select general and change all the fields to the new desired name including (Alias & Login user name)
3. Select email address and change the smtp email address to the same desired name you wrote in general, do the same thing for X500.

in AD check the user attribute "legacyExchangeAD" have the new desired name, you will find email name at the end of line.

in case you find another record X500 in admin center then go AD and check the user attribute "proxyaddresses" and delete the other record that refers to the old email name.

so far it worked for me, I did not see any problem so far. if anyone have knowledge about this exercise or another way to do it, your support is appreciated.

kind regards,