Microsoft outlook hosts my email account and the DNS service is hosted by third party. How do I move the DNS service to Microsoft and keep my email address

Question

Microsoft outlook hosts my small business email account. DNS services for my email account and website are hosted by GetNetSet. How can I move my GetNetSet services to Microsoft Azure? I own the domain and want to keep my email address and website address.

Answer 1

Hello Barbara McKinzie

It sounds like you're looking to transition your DNS service from GetNetSet to Microsoft while keeping your email and website intact. Here’s a straightforward way to do that:

1. Create a DNS Zone in Azure: First, you'll need to create a DNS Zone in Azure. Here’s how:
   • Go to the Azure Portal: Sign in at Azure Portal.
   • Create a Resource: Click on 'Create a resource', then search for 'DNS zone' and hit 'Create'.
   • Fill in the necessary details (e.g., resource group, name for the DNS zone like yourdomain.com) and then click 'Create'.
2. Update Domain's Name Servers: Once your DNS zone is set up, you need to change your domain's Name Server (NS) records at your current registrar (GetNetSet) to point to the Azure DNS nameservers. You can find Azure's nameservers listed in your new DNS zone in the Azure portal.
3. Add DNS Records for Email and Website:
   • Email Setup: You’ll need to set up MX records so that your email continues to be routed to Microsoft. Follow the instructions in the Admin Center to Update DNS Records.
   • Website Setup: If you want your website to continue to be hosted at its current location, you can add an A record pointing to the static IP of your web host, along with any CNAME records needed. For detailed instructions on adding these records, check out Managing Custom DNS Records.
4. Verify: After updating your NS records, it may take some time for DNS changes to propagate. You can verify that everything is working by using tools like DNS Checker.

By taking these steps, you should be able to migrate your DNS service to Azure seamlessly while keeping your existing email and website operational.

Reference:

• Configure Azure DNS to host a custom domain for a Web app
• DNS operations in Azure
• Update DNS records to keep your website with your current hosting provider
• Add DNS records to connect your domain

If you need any further assistance or clarification on specific steps, feel free to ask. Hope this helps!

Answer 2

Hello Barbara McKinzie,

Thanks for raising it in the Q&A forum!

It's important to distinguish between domain registration (who owns/manages your domain name) and email hosting (where your email service runs). You can transfer domain registration to another provider while keeping your email hosted with Microsoft.

Steps to Transfer Domain Registration

Unlock Your Domain at Microsoft:

Sign in to Microsoft 365 admin center as Global Administrator

Go to Settings > Domains

Select your domain

Choose Transfer domain

Select A different registrar, then Next

Click Unlock transfer for your domain

Get Authorization Code:

After unlocking, Microsoft provides an EPP authorization code (also called transfer code)

Find this code on the Registration tab under Domains page

Note: .uk domains use IPS tags instead of authorization codes

Initiate Transfer at New Registrar:

Go to your new domain registrar's website (GoDaddy, Namecheap, etc.)

Start the domain transfer process

Enter your domain name and authorization code

Pay the transfer fee (usually includes 1-year renewal)

Approve the transfer via email confirmation

Wait for Transfer Completion:

• Domain transfers typically take 5-7 business days

During this time, your email continues to work normally

Maintaining Email Service During Transfer

Do Not Change DNS Records During Transfer:
Your email will continue functioning if you keep the Microsoft 365 DNS records intact at the new registrar after transfer completes.

After Transfer, Configure DNS at New Registrar:
Once the domain transfer is complete, add these Microsoft 365 email DNS records at your new registrar:

MX record: Points to Microsoft's mail servers (e.g., yourdomain-com.mail.protection.outlook.com)

SPF record (TXT): Authorizes Microsoft to send email on your behalf

DKIM and DMARC records: For email authentication

You can find your specific DNS values in Microsoft 365 admin center under Settings > Domains > select your domain > DNS records.

Email Hosting Stays with Microsoft: Transferring domain registration doesn't affect email hosting. Your mailboxes, data, and Microsoft 365 subscription remain unchanged—only the domain registrar changes.

Avoid Transfer Interruptions:

Complete the transfer during off-hours if possible

Verify all DNS records are correctly configured at the new registrar before updating nameservers

Test email sending/receiving after transfer completes

Alternative: Use Custom Domain with Free Outlook.com
If you want to host a custom domain email for free (not Business/Microsoft 365), you can configure your domain's MX record to point to outlook-com.olc.protection.outlook.com and use a free Microsoft account.

If you want to transfer both domain AND email hosting away from Microsoft:

Back up all emails (export to PST files)

Set up email accounts at the new provider

Transfer domain registration

Update DNS MX records to point to new email provider

Import emails to new accounts

If this helps, kindly accept the answer.

Best Regards,
Jerald Felix