In a significant development, Microsoft has announced the retirement of its cross-platform Exchange Web Services (EWS) API, effective from October 1, 2026. This move will have a profound impact on users who have been relying on EWS to access their emails and contacts from Exchange Online. As the API is phased out, users will find their tried-and-true method for pulling in messages, meetings, and other elements from various inboxes rendered obsolete.
It’s essential to note that these changes will primarily apply to Microsoft 365 and Exchange Online environments. Key products such as Outlook and Teams, along with EWS in Exchange Server, will continue to function as they have in the past. The decision to retire EWS doesn’t come as a surprise, as Microsoft had previously declared that EWS would not receive new features back in 2018.
