How to Defederate GoDaddy from Microsoft 365: A Simple Guide for Non-Techies

How to Defederate GoDaddy from Microsoft 365: A Simple Guide for Non-Techies

If you're using Microsoft 365 through GoDaddy and want to regain full control of your email and services, you may need to defederate your domain from GoDaddy. Defederation is the process of breaking the connection between GoDaddy and Microsoft 365, allowing you to manage your Microsoft 365 services directly with Microsoft.

This guide will walk you through the steps in plain English, so you don’t need to be a tech expert to follow along!

Why Defederate from GoDaddy?

There are several reasons you might want to disconnect GoDaddy from Microsoft 365:

• More Control: You’ll be able to manage your Microsoft 365 subscription directly through Microsoft.
• Better Support: Microsoft provides more advanced support than GoDaddy for Microsoft 365.
• Additional Features: Some features available in Microsoft 365 are restricted under GoDaddy’s version of the service.
• Seamless Transfers: If you plan to move to another hosting provider, defederation is required.

Step-by-Step Guide to Defederate GoDaddy from Microsoft 365Step 1: Back Up Your Emails and DataBefore making any changes, ensure that you back up all important emails, contacts, and files from your Microsoft 365 account. This ensures that no critical data is lost during the transition.

• Use Outlook’s Export Feature to back up emails.
• Download any OneDrive files to a local computer if needed.

Step 2: Log into Microsoft 365 Admin Center

1. Go to admin.microsoft.com.
2. Sign in using your admin credentials for Microsoft 365.

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Step 3: Check Your Domain Settings

1. Navigate to Settings > Domains in the Microsoft 365 Admin Center.
2. Click on your domain (e.g., yourbusiness.com).
3. If it says Managed by GoDaddy, this confirms your domain is still federated with GoDaddy.

Step 4: Remove Federation with GoDaddy

1. Open PowerShell on your computer (Windows users can search for "PowerShell" in the Start menu).
2. Run the following command to connect to Microsoft 365:
3. Connect-MsolService
4. (You'll be prompted to log in with your Microsoft 365 admin credentials.)
5. Once logged in, run this command to remove GoDaddy’s federation:
6. Set-MsolDomainAuthentication -DomainName yourbusiness.com -Authentication Managed
7. This command changes your domain authentication from "Federated" to "Managed," breaking GoDaddy's connection.

Step 5: Update DNS SettingsNow, you’ll need to update your DNS records to ensure your email and services function correctly:

1. Log in to GoDaddy’s DNS settings.
2. Locate the existing Microsoft 365 DNS records (CNAME, MX, TXT, and SRV).
3. Replace them with Microsoft’s default DNS records (find them here).

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Step 6: Verify Domain Settings in Microsoft 365

1. Go back to admin.microsoft.com.
2. Navigate to Settings > Domains and click Verify.
3. Microsoft will confirm if your domain is now fully managed by Microsoft.

Step 7: Reconnect Microsoft 365 Services

• If you were using Exchange Online (Email), ensure your email is still working.
• If needed, reconfigure Outlook or mobile email apps to use the new settings.
• Test sending and receiving emails to confirm everything is working smoothly.

What Happens After Defederation?

• Your Microsoft 365 subscription remains active, but now you control it through Microsoft instead of GoDaddy.
• You manage billing directly with Microsoft.
• You gain access to advanced Microsoft 365 features GoDaddy previously restricted.

If you need extra help, Microsoft Support is a great resource, and they offer more direct support than GoDaddy when it comes to Microsoft 365 issues.Final ThoughtsDefederating GoDaddy from Microsoft 365 may seem intimidating, but by following these steps, you can take full control of your domain and services. Whether you’re looking for more flexibility, better support, or additional Microsoft 365 features, breaking free from GoDaddy’s restrictions is a smart move.If you found this guide helpful, be sure to share it with others who might be struggling with GoDaddy and Microsoft 365!