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[SITUATION] · [ACTIVE] · [TECHNOLOGY]

4 clusters · 8 sources · 30 days · First seen · Last updated

Microsoft enterprise service deprecations

Overview

Microsoft has begun the phased decommissioning of the Exchange Web Services (EWS) protocol within Exchange Online, a process that commenced on October 1, 2026. This transition is part of a long-term plan to move users toward the Microsoft Graph API, with a final, permanent shutdown of EWS in Exchange Online scheduled for April 1, 2027.

The decommissioning directly impacts macOS users who utilize native Apple Mail and Calendar applications with Microsoft 365 work accounts for synchronization. Because the rollout is gradual, some organizations may encounter synchronization failures, such as stalled calendar updates or mail failing to download, earlier than others. While Apple is reportedly collaborating with Microsoft to transition its native apps—including Mail, Calendar, Contacts, Notes, and Reminders—to the Graph API, a definitive solution has not yet been confirmed in recent macOS beta releases.

This change specifically affects cloud-hosted Exchange Online services. Organizations utilizing on-premises Exchange servers, as well as users on iPhone and iPad, remain unaffected because those mobile operating systems utilize the Exchange ActiveSync protocol instead. To mitigate issues, affected businesses may need to temporarily re-enable EWS through IT administration or migrate Mac users to compatible clients like Microsoft Outlook.

Separately, Microsoft continues the deprecation of Windows Deployment Services (WDS). While WDS remains available in Windows Server 2025 and other currently supported versions, it will no longer receive improvements and is no longer the recommended solution for deploying operating systems over a network. Microsoft has recommended that organizations begin planning migrations to alternatives such as Microsoft Configuration Manager.

Entities

Microsoft · Apple · Exchange Online · Outlook · Windows Deployment Services

Timeline

  1. [TECHNOLOGY] 2 sources
    Microsoft to phase out Outlook Copilot inbox sorting and EWS

    Microsoft is removing the Copilot inbox prioritization feature in Outlook by March 2027 and will permanently disable Exchange Web Services (EWS) in Exchange Online by April 2027.

  2. [TECHNOLOGY] 3 sources
    Microsoft begins phasing out Exchange Web Services protocol

    Microsoft is phasing out the Exchange Web Services (EWS) protocol in Exchange Online, potentially disrupting Mail and Calendar synchronization for Mac users until Apple implements Microsoft Graph API support.

  3. [TECHNOLOGY] 2 sources
    Microsoft to phase out Exchange Web Services and Windows Deployment Services

    Microsoft is phasing out Exchange Web Services (EWS) and Windows Deployment Services (WDS), impacting macOS synchronization and network OS deployment for enterprise IT environments.

  4. [TECHNOLOGY] 3 sources
    Microsoft announces deprecation of Windows Deployment Services

    Microsoft is deprecating Windows Deployment Services (WDS) starting with the next major Windows Server release, affecting PXE boot and image distribution tools.

Sources

ad-hoc-news.de · blogspan.net · borncity.com · it-connect.fr · it-daily.net · jablickar.cz · maclife.de · superapple.cz

This summary has been updated 2 times: see revision history