A copy-free transition tool converts storage objects from a source format associated with a source storage system to a destination format associated with a destination storage system. The transition tool exports configuration information associated with the source storage system to the destination storage system and brings the storage objects offline. Once the transition tool determines that the storage devices containing the storage objects are physically connected to the destination storage system, the tool can convert file systems from the source format to the destination format while leaving data and file layout unchanged. The tool can also modify metadata associated with each of the storage objects to conform to the destination format and store the modified metadata with the destination storage system.