Updated Timeline: Google Workspace Retirement

As a reminder, the Purdue Northwest Google Workspace environment is being retired, and all users are transitioning to Microsoft 365. The migration will take place over the weekend of Feb. 20 to Feb. 23.

Action for Students Required by Feb. 9

• Enroll in Microsoft Multi-Factor Authentication on your mobile device.

See How to Enroll in Microsoft MFA

What is changing?

• On Feb. 22, Google Workspace at PNW will be retired. Services such as email, office tools, etc. will transition to Microsoft 365.
  • Email addresses (username@pnw.edu) will not change. Purdue IT will automatically transfer emails from Google to Microsoft. Do not attempt to migrate these yourself.
  • Passwords will not change.
  • To access Microsoft 365 beginning Feb. 20, you will need to use your username@purdue.edu with your current password.
  • You will be required to use Microsoft MFA to access Microsoft applications, including your email
• Between now and Feb. 23, you may notice a new folder (“_From Google 2026”) in OneDrive where the IT team will begin copying over files. Please disregard this folder until you receive notification that migration is complete.
• Between now and Feb. 23, you may also notice some of your emails copying over into your Microsoft inbox. Please disregard these until you receive notification that migration is complete.

Migration Timeline

• Beginning Friday, Feb. 20, at 5 p.m. CT: Please do not attempt to log into PNW Google services. Emails sent and documents modified in Google after this time may not be migrated. Users can access PNW email and files using Microsoft applications.
• Friday, Feb. 20, at 5 p.m. CT to Sunday, Feb. 22: Purdue IT will perform final migration for Gmail and Google Drive as needed.
• Sunday, Feb. 22: Users will be locked out of all PNW Google services.
• Monday, Feb. 23: Migration is expected to be complete with PNW users fully synced to Microsoft 365 applications. Users will receive a notification from the CSC to verify project completion.

Information for Instructors

Please note that all Google tools and services, including the following, will no longer be accessible from your pnw.edu Google account:

• Google Calendars
• Google Drive
• Google Workspace Tools (Docs, Sheets, Slides, etc.)
• Google Classroom
• Sign-in with Google (username@pnw.edu email address)

As you prepare for teaching in spring 2026 and this transition, take this time to review your course content in Brightspace. Identify any Google links and resources that you share with students. We recommend you:

1. Make no new content in your PNW Google account.

• Instead, create and share new files and resources using Microsoft 365 equivalents.

2. Review your existing Google files/resources

• Download any necessary files and re-upload them to Microsoft 365. Refer to this Google article for steps on how to perform this task.
• Take this time to clean up any files that are no longer needed (including files you have re-uploaded to Microsoft 365.)
• Replace shared Google links with new Microsoft links in your Brightspace courses and other materials.

Important Information for Faculty and Staff

• Continue to migrate any non-Google services that you use Google authentication with your @pnw.edu address to other authentication methods.

Reminder

• Google Drive will no longer be available. Files stored on Google Drive will automatically be transferred to Microsoft OneDrive. (If, after migration is complete, a user feels information is missing, they should contact the CSC as soon as possible. In most cases, data should be able to be recovered.)
• Sign-in with Google (using your username@pnw.edu email address) will no longer function. PNW faculty, staff and students who use that to sign into software, websites or mobile devices should transition to a personal email address immediately.
• Google Photos will no longer be available. Download, copy or move any photos that you would like to save to a personal storage location (for example, a personal Google Photos account, Apple iCloud, OneDrive, Flickr, etc.)

Visit the PNW Information Technology Services webpage for additional information and FAQs. For questions and concerns not addressed there, please contact the CSC at csc@pnw.edu.