# Migration Process Overview To begin your migration, first complete the [**Technical Enablement Steps**](/migrating-to-files.com-cloud/technical-enablement-steps.md). This includes enabling a setting in the Appliance Manager and opening specific firewall ports. Once those steps are done, contact Files.com Support. They will initiate a **pre-migration**. This is a dry run where all of your files, users, and settings are copied to a brand-new Files.com cloud site. Depending on your data size, this process may take some time. When it's complete, you'll receive access credentials and a cloud URL from our support team. ## Reviewing the Pre-Migration Site Review the pre-migration site to confirm everything looks correct. Configure any required SSL certificates, and optionally customize your SFTP host key, MOTDs, and other site-specific settings. We make a best effort to migrate branding elements, but review those manually. Important best practices during pre-migration: * Avoid making changes to the pre-migration site. To explore features or test configurations, create a new folder at the root level and work only within that folder. Do not connect this folder to your production site. * Do not add users to the pre-migration site. Any users you add will be ignored during final migration. * You may review existing users, but do not edit or delete them until after the final migration. * Make any changes to existing users or site settings on your production site. Those changes will be applied during the final migration. * Site settings may be overwritten during the final migration, so plan to review them again afterward. To make sure your custom domain works correctly after the migration, configure your SSL certificate on the new site. You can upload it yourself under Encryption > SSL Certificates, or send it to us and we'll handle the installation for you. ## Performing the Final Migration When you're ready to proceed, coordinate with Files.com Support for the final migration. They'll do a final sync of your settings and files and update the pre-migrated site with all of your latest data. Once that sync is complete, they'll let you know, and you'll be ready to update your DNS to point to the new cloud environment. At that point, shut down your on-premise appliance. Welcome to the cloud! --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.exavault.com/migrating-to-files.com-cloud/migration-process-overview.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.