In a recent announcement, Microsoft revealed its plans to discontinue support for Exchange Web Services (EWS) for non-Microsoft applications accessing Exchange Online. This move, scheduled to take effect on October 1, 2026, indicates the company’s ongoing commitment to enhancing the security and performance of its services.
Back in 2018, Microsoft had already signaled its shift away from EWS, ceasing feature updates and recommending the migration of developers to Microsoft Graph for accessing Exchange Online data. While EWS components will continue to receive security updates and certain non-security updates, the product design and features themselves will remain unchanged. This change also extends to the EWS SDKs for Java and .NET.
“While the EWS components of the service will continue to receive security updates and certain non-security updates, product design and features will remain unchanged. This change also applies to the EWS SDKs for Java and .NET, as well. Despite today’s announcement, EWS is still available and supported for use in production environments,” the Exchange team explained.
It’s important to note that despite this announcement, EWS will remain available and supported for use in production environments. However, Microsoft advises developers to embrace Microsoft Graph as the preferred avenue for accessing Exchange Online data, offering the latest features and functionality.
It is also vital to note that this shift in strategy is exclusive to Microsoft 365 and Exchange Online environments and will not impact EWS in Exchange Server. It will have no bearing on other Microsoft products such as Teams, Outlook for Mac or Windows, or any other offerings.
Microsoft warns of possible feature gaps between EWS and Microsoft Graph, like access to archive mailboxes, user configuration/folder-associated information, Exchange Online management, and access to public folders. The company is actively working on addressing these gaps and will provide updated timelines in the coming months.
Furthermore, regarding access to public folders via the Graph API, Microsoft is reviewing the necessity of allowing third-party applications to access Exchange Online public folders. The company is seeking feedback from customers and partners who utilize such solutions to help with the reviewing process. It strongly suggests staying informed through the Message Center, Microsoft’s official blog and the “What’s new in Microsoft Graph” page as well as exploring alternative solutions for functionalities not available in Microsoft Graph.
It is also reported that Microsoft has removed its Web Select feature from the Edge Browser. The company declared that the options will no longer be available under Web Capture or through keyboard shortcut. Earlier this year Microsoft also discontinued its basic authentication in Exchange Online for Exchange ActiveSync (EAS), IMAP, POP, Exchange Web Services (EWS), Remote PowerShell, Autodiscover, Offline Address Book (OAB), Outlook for Mac and Outlook for Windows. The company also discontinued SMTP AUTH in tenants that were not using it.
