Database - Migrating to Azure SQL
- Last Updated: November 5, 2025
- 2 minute read
- MOVEit Transfer
- Version 2025
- Documentation
In addition to SQL Server and MySQL Server, you can now configure MOVEit Transfer to use Azure SQL as its database server. This topic provides instructions on how to take an existing MOVEit Transfer SQL Server database and deploy it as an Azure SQL Database.
Before you begin
You will need an Azure SQL database server to migrate your existing database to. If you have not already created an Azure SQL database server, you can sign on to the Azure Management Portal and create one.
You will need the following server information in Task 1:
- Azure SQL servername.
- Username/password pair.
Note to MySQL Database Users
If you want to move your MOVEit Transfer MySQL database to Azure SQL, you can use the MySQLToMSSQL utility to generate Azure SQL schema, and then import into Azure SQL. (The MySQLToMSSQL utility now provides schema conversion support for Azure SQL.)
Tasks Needed to migrate SQL Server to Azure SQL
- Task 1: Use SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) to deploy your SQL Server database to Azure SQL.
- Task 2: Reset the database login in the migrated database.
- Task 3: Create and define an Azure SQL registry entry.
- Task 4: Configure MOVEit Transfer to connect to Azure SQL.
Task 1: Deploy your database to Azure SQL
Deploy your MOVEit Transfer database to an existing Azure SQL database server.
|
Step |
Description |
|---|---|
|
1. |
Install SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS). Sign-on or remote desktop to the host/VM where the MOVEit Transfer server is running and install the latest version of SSMS Note: SSMS is a free download. It is important to use
the latest version. Microsoft frequently refreshes Azure SQL and
SMSS. Recent versions of SMSS work with older versions of SQL
Server while also supporting the latest changes to the Azure SQL
platform.
|
|
2. |
Launch SMSS and connect to the SQL Server Host where the current MOVEit Transfer database is. |
|
3. |
In Object Explorer, expand the Databases folder, right click the current MOVEit Transfer database and chose the following: Tasks > Deploy Database to Microsoft Azure SQL Database. The Deploy Database to Microsoft Azure SQL Database wizard displays. |
|
4. |
Click Next to proceed to the Specify Target Connection screen on the Deployment Settings tab and click Connect. The SQL Server Connect to Server dialog displays.
|
|
5. |
Provide information to connect to the target Azure SQL server and click Connect.
After you click Connect, SMSS connects to your Azure SQL server and the remaining Azure SQL Database settings can be filled in. |
|
6. |
Provide information to configure the MOVEit Transfer that will be installed in Azure SQL.
|
|
7. |
On the Verify Specified Setting page, Choose Finish. [Export process begins] On the Operation Complete page, choose Close. |
Task 2: Reset the database login in the migrated database
Reset the MOVEit Transfer database login in the migrated database.
|
Step |
Description |
|---|---|
|
1. |
In SMSS, expand Databases > System Databases and right click on master and choose New Query. |
|
2. |
In the new query window, type:
—where my-password is the existing SQL Server user password. (If you don't remember it, you can use a new password and update it below.) |
|
3. |
Click Execute to run the procedure and set your password. |
Task 3: Create a Windows Server Registry entry for Azure SQL
|
Step |
Description |
|---|---|
|
1. |
On your Windows Server running MOVEit Transfer, startup the Windows Server Registry editor (regedit). |
|
2. |
Locate the following registry key:
|
|
3. |
Add the following subkey to the SQLServer subkey (if not there already).
|
Task 4: Configure MOVEit Transfer to connect to Azure SQL
Use the MOVEit Transfer Configure utility to connect the MOVEit Transfer server to Azure SQL.
|
Step |
Description |
|---|---|
|
1. |
Sign-on or remote desktop to the host/VM where the MOVEit Transfer server is running |
|
2. |
Launch the MOVEit Transfer Config console and select the Database tab.
|
|
3. |
Provide the following information so MOVEit Transfer server can connect to its new Azure SQL database:
|
|
4. |
Click Test Connection to ensure your credentials and connection information are valid. Then click Ok to apply your changes. Your MOVEit Transfer system will now use the new Azure SQL database. |

