Use case: Use this procedure when you need to change the mailbox type. A common use case is to convert a user mailbox to a shared mailbox when an employee leaves the organization. This retains the mailbox contents while allowing the Exchange Online license to be removed (if the shared mailbox does not require a license).
To convert the mailbox type, do the following:
- Open User Properties for the user.
- Select the Mailbox tab.
- In the Mailbox type drop-down list, select the desired mailbox type.
- You can switch between User, Shared, Room, and Equipment mailbox types.
- Click OK or Apply to convert the mailbox.
- Verify that the mailbox has been converted to the selected type.
- Note: If you convert a user mailbox to a shared mailbox, you can optionally remove the Exchange Online license if it is no longer required. License removal is not part of the mailbox conversion itself but is commonly performed to reclaim the license.
- Note: Converting a user mailbox to a shared mailbox is also an optional step in the automated offboarding process: How to Offboard a Hybrid User procedure.
