The logo of Microsoft US multinational tecnology corporation is seen on the opening day of the Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) audiovisual and systems integration exhibition in Barcelona on January 31, 2023.
Microsoft's cross-platform Exchange Web Services (EWS) API will end on October 1, 2026. This change will affect Exchange Online customers utilizing EWS to access emails and contacts.
EWS users who obtain messages, meetings, and other data from several inboxes will lose access when the API is retired. This change will affect all Microsoft 365 and Exchange Online customers. Notably, Microsoft's core services, including Outlook, Teams, and EWS in Exchange Server, will continue their regular functions, TechRadar.
End of an Era
Microsoft Exchange Team declared in its blog, "Today, we are announcing that on October 1, 2026, we will start blocking EWS requests from non-Microsoft apps to Exchange Online. 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."
Since Microsoft announced in 2018 that EWS would no longer acquire new features, the end of EWS API support has been expected. This development confirms that the tech giant will stop allowing requests from non-Microsoft applications to Exchange Online via EWS in three years.
Microsoft suggests that all customers switch to Microsoft Graph to guarantee continuous service amid the EWS shutdown process, even though it recognizes that several functions EWS users have relied on for years are missing from Microsoft Graph.
Similar to EWS, Microsoft Graph links numerous services and devices and was first introduced in 2015. However, EWS APIs are SOAP-based, while Microsoft Graph APIs are REST-based. According to Microsoft, this distinction results in quicker JSON serialization and less network utilization.
"Despite today's announcement, EWS is still available and supported for use in production environments," the Microsoft Exchange Team stated. However, they strongly advise switching to Microsoft Graph if one wants to access Exchange Online data and take advantage of the newest features and functionality.
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Microsoft will deliver security upgrades and particular non-security-related functionality for a few EWS components between now and the 2026 deadline. However, the platform will not see any significant modifications.
Microsoft Addressing EWS and Graph Gaps
Microsoft admits that there are "feature gaps" between EWS and Graph, but it promises to work on bringing more functionality to Graph customers in the future. It might not be possible to move every functionality, though.
Access to archive mailboxes, folder association details, user settings, exchange online administration, and access to public folders are among the capabilities that might not be properly moved.
The deprecation policies for Microsoft's services, which seek to improve security, dependability, and performance, are in line with this API retirement.
As the deadline draws near, Microsoft will send out frequent messages to help impacted consumers determine their EWS use. Customers are urged to wait for updates in the Message Center and on the official Microsoft blogs.
Microsoft has already told developers it will stop devoting efforts to EWS APIs for Exchange Online in August 2018. After three years, in October 2021, the business deprecated the 25 least utilized EWS for Exchange Online APIs and withdrew support in March 2022 for security concerns, according to BleepingComputer.
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