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Steps to copy environment

Steps prior to copying (For full copy)
  1. Take note of Flows, Workflows turned on in target environment. This may need to be restored/aligned after written over.
  2. Take note of mailbox records that are turned on in target environment. To refer when turning off mailbox records.
  3. Check settings or environment variables that are specific to the target environment that needs to be restored after the copy.
  4. Take note of SharePoint settings in target environment as this to be restored after copy.

Steps to Copy an Environment
 
  1. Sign in to Power Platform Admin Center
    – Use an Environment Admin or System Administrator account.
  2. Select Source Environment
    – Go to Environments, then pick the one you want to copy.
  3. Click “Copy”
    – Found in the top menu bar.
  4. Choose Copy Type
     Options:
    • Everything – Full data and configurations
    • Customizations only – No data, just structure and users
  5. (Optional) Include Audit Logs
    – If you chose "Everything", you can choose to include audit logs (adds more time).
  6. Select Target Environment
    – Must be a sandbox or preview (not production).
    – Target will be wiped and replaced with source data.
Edit Access Settings (optional)
– You can restrict access by adding a security group.
  1. Confirm Details and Start Copy
    – Click Copy, then Confirm to begin.
  2. After Copy Completes
    – Target environment goes into Administration Mode (background processes off).
    – Admin should review and re-enable necessary services.
  3. Confirm Dataverse search works as expected. If not, need to turn off for 12 hours and turn back on.
  4. Check necessary flows are turned on. Need to edit and save if there are any issues.
  5. Set synchronization of mailbox records to none for necessary users.
  6. Check SharePoint settings
  7. Check settings and environment variables are correct.


To Include Audit Logs
After step 5, click the option to include audit logs before continuing with steps 6–9.

To ensure the newly created copy (target) environment doesn't impact your production environment, once the copy operation is complete, two things happen:
  1. The newly created copy environment is placed in administration mode. Only those with System Administrator security roles can sign in and manage the copy environment. Regular users can't sign in and use the copy environment.
  2. Background operations are disabled in the copy environment. Disabled operations include workflows and synchronization with Microsoft Exchange.
A mailbox can't be synced with two different environments. For an Everything copy environment, the user mailboxes in the copy environment must be disabled so the mailboxes don't attempt to send or receive email, or track appointments, contacts, or tasks. Set synchronization for the following to None.
  • Incoming Email
  • Outgoing Email
  • Appointments, Contacts, Tasks


 
Keywords: copy environment