--- title: "How to Request a Windows Server Migration" source: "https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/migrations/windows/request-a-migration/" description: "Learn how to request a free Windows server migration. This guide walks you through the Migration Center form in your portal.nexcess.com account, step-by-step." vertical: "Hosting" date: "2025-11-08" last_modified: "2026-07-23" --- # How to Request a Windows Server Migration ## Introduction A site migration is the process of moving all your website’s data, which includes its files, and databases. This can seem complex at first, but our team is here to handle this entire process for you. We move your site from your old host to your new, **[fully managed Windows server](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/migrations/understanding-migration-types/).** To make this as fast and easy as possible, we created a **[Migration Center](https://portal.nexcess.com/servers/migration-center/).** **How This Helps You:** - **It’s Faster:** The form gathers all the necessary details *up front*. - **It’s Simpler:** It prevents the back-and-forth emails that are common with complex migrations. - **It’s Efficient:** Our team gets all the info they need to start your request right away. Begin your Windows migration today by visiting the form: [**portal.nexcess.com/servers/migration-center**](https://portal.nexcess.com/servers/migration-center/) What to Expect During Your Migration To learn more about what to expect during the migration process, we recommend reading our[ Expectations for a Site Migration](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/migrations/expectations-for-a-site-migration/) article first. --- ## Prerequisites - A Liquid Web account. - A Liquid Web fully managed Windows server **destination** environment you are migrating to. - You must have an existing server, or the websites you want to move, hosted on a **source** environment that is compatible with our migration process. What are Source and Destination Environments? - **Source Server:** This is your **old** server where your website’s files and databases are currently located. We migrate your data *from* this server. - **Destination Server:** This is your **new** Liquid Web server. We migrate your data *to* this server. --- ## Step-by-step Instructions ### Create a Migration Case 1. Log into your [**portal.nexcess.com**](https://portal.nexcess.com/) account with your [**username and password**](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/portal/account/account-security/account-recovery/), or [**sign in with Google SSO**](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/portal/account/log-into-liquid-web-using-google-sso/)**.** 2. **Click** on the **support** button on the top right of the control panel and select **Migrations Center** from the drop down. 3. **Select** the **Create a migration case** button to bring up the migrations form. 4. **Select** the **Windows** option, then **click** on **Next.** 5. On the **Your source servers** section you need to choose from the two options listed. - **External Provider** or - **Liquid Web server** ### Migrate from an External Provider #### Add Your Source Server(s) 1. After selecting **External Provider**, **enter** the **Hostname** and **IP address** of your source server. 2. Select one or more **Access Methods** so our team can access your source server. 3. In the **Additional Information** field, **enter** any details that will help our team access your source server. 4. Once all fields are complete, **click Add Source**. 5. If you have another source server to add, **click** the **Plus symbol (+)**. 6. When you are done adding all source servers, **click** **Next**. #### Select Your Destination Server(s) 7. On the next screen, **select** the Liquid Web server you want to migrate into from the drop-down menu. 8. In the **DNS Options** section, **select** either **Use existing nameserver** or **Create new nameserver**. 9. **Add** any other helpful details in the **Additional Information** box. 10. If you have any additional destination servers, **click** the **Plus symbol (+)** to add them. 11. Once you have entered the details for your destination server(s), **click** **Next**. #### Choose Your Domains 12. On this screen, **choose** which domains you want to migrate. - **To move all sites:** Select **Migrate All Domains**. In the text field, please **include at least one domain** from the server so our team can prioritize it and begin the migration. - **To move specific sites:** Select **Migrate Specific Domains**. - **Enter** the domains you wish to migrate. - **Select** the **Test Domain** box for any domains you want us to migrate first as a test. Adding More Than 10 Domains You can include up to 10 domains in this form. If you need to add more, you can include them in the support case that is created *after* you submit this request. 13. **Click** **Next** once you have entered your domains. #### Review and Submit 14. In the **Additional Notes** section, **add** any final details, requirements, or concerns. 15. **Click** **Next**. 16. **Review** the complete details for your migration request. To finish, **click** **Submit Request** to create the migration case. ### Migrate from Another Liquid Web Server #### Add Your Liquid Web Source Server(s) 1. After selecting **Liquid Web server**, **select** your source server from the drop-down menu. 2. If you want to keep your source server’s IP address for the destination server, **select** that option. 3. **Click** the **Add Source** button. 4. If you have another source server to add, **click** the **Plus symbol (+)**. 5. When you are done adding all source servers, **click** **Next**. #### Configure Your Destination Server 6. On the destination server screen, **select** your **DNS option** (either **Use existing nameserver** or **Create new nameserver**). 7. **Add** any other helpful details in the **Additional Information** box. 8. **Select** if you want to transfer the hostname from the drop-down menu. 9. Once you have filled out all the information, **click** **Add destination**. 10. If needed, you can **click** the **Plus symbol (+)** to add more destination servers. 11. Once you have entered the details for your destination server(s), **click** **Next**. #### Choose Your Domains 12. On this screen, **choose** which domains you want to migrate. - **To move all sites:** Select **Migrate All Domains**. In the text field, please **include at least one domain** from the server so our team can prioritize it and begin the migration. - **To move specific sites:** Select **Migrate Specific Domains**. - **Enter** the domains you wish to migrate. - **Select** the **Test Domain** box for any domains you want us to migrate first as a test. Adding More Than 10 Domains You can include up to 10 domains in this form. If you need to add more, you can include them in the support case that is created *after* you submit this request. 13. **Click** **Next** once you have entered your domains. #### Review and Submit 14. In the **Additional Notes** section, **add** any final details, requirements, or concerns. 15. **Click** **Next**. 16. **Review** the complete details for your migration request. To finish, **click** **Submit Request** to create the migration case. ## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) **Is this migration free?**Yes. [We provide free migrations as part of our service for all fully managed Windows servers.](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/migrations/understanding-migration-types/) **What information should I have ready *before* I start the form?**To make the process fast, we recommend you have the following ready: - Your source server’s IP address. - Your source server’s administrative login details (such as RDP, FTP, or Plesk credentials). - A list of the domains you want to migrate. [*Learn more about preparing for a Site Migration here.*](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/migrations/preparing-for-a-site-migration-to-liquid-web/) **What information should I have ready *before* I start the form?**To make the process fast, we recommend you have the following ready: - Your source server’s IP address. - Your source server’s administrative login details (such as root SSH, WHM, or Plesk credentials). - A list of the domains you want to migrate. [*Learn more about preparing for a Site Migration here.*](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/migrations/preparing-for-a-site-migration-to-liquid-web/) ****What happens after I submit the form?****When you click “**Submit Request,**” our system automatically creates a support case (ticket) with our expert Migrations team. A technician will review your details, verify access to your source server, and contact you through that ticket to schedule your migration. ******How long will my migration take?******The time required depends on the amount of data and the complexity of your sites. After you submit the form, our team will perform an initial review and provide you with a time estimate in your support ticket. ********What if I have more than 10 domains to list?********Please enter up to 10 of your most important domains in the form. After you submit the request and the support ticket is created, you can reply to that ticket with the complete list of all remaining domains you need to migrate.