After 15 successful years of service, Microsoft has announced the end of support for Hosted Exchange in October 2025. As a result, anyone using this service must be migrated to Exchange Online, which is part of Microsoft 365, before 1st October 2025.
Below is our explanation of the process as well as answers to some frequently asked questions. We will add further answers if/when further common questions arise.
What happens to my email address?
Your email address will remain the same.
What happens to my data (emails, contacts, calendars)?
All your data (emails, contacts, calendars) will be retained.
Why is this happening?
Microsoft have decided that 2025 is the year that they will consolidate or deprecate a large number of their services, and approximately 120 Microsoft services are being retired this year. Including: Windows 10, Skype, Office 2016, Office 2019, OneNote for Windows, and Hosted Exchange.
Why is Hosted Exchange ceasing?
As per above, Microsoft are consolidating their services in 2025 – and Hosted Exchange is one of the many services which is being deprecated entirely. Their Exchange Server product will continue to exist but this requires phyiscal, dedicated servers, which means it will be the domain of large enterprise organisations only. All other Exchange services will now be provided as part of Microsoft 365.
Are there advantages to Exchange Online?
Yes, Microsoft’s consolidation is not just their own internal strategy, it also means that they will streamline their offerings and focus on offering the best and most consistent service on those that remain. Using Exchange Online as part of Microsoft 365 will mean you receive all the inherent benefits and features of Exchange on this platform. This will mean better/faster email search, ability to integrate other platforms/apps, improved backup/archiving, and more.
What happens next?
We will handle the migration of your data from the old platform to the new platform on your behalf. Once this is done we get in touch with you to agree a cutover date/time so you can do the following:
- Reconfigure your Outlook applications to use the new platform
- Reconfigure your mobile devices to use the new platform
- Start using the new webmail at outlook.office.com
If you have a Support Agreement with us, we will either perform or assist with all of the above.
What is the timeline?
Microsoft announced this to us in July, but did not provide a first party or native solution for migrating customers. We have been testing various methods to securely and confidently migrate your data, and now have a process in place.
- Migrations will take place during September
- We will contact you to arrange a data/time for your cutover
- All migrations must be completed before 1st October
Does this impact billing?
As the licensing with Microsoft is different, the cost of your services will reduce as follows at your next renewal:
| Service | OLD: Hosted Exchange | NEW: Exchange Online | ||
| Core mailbox | £7.99 | £6.20 | ||
| Security add-on | £2.49 | £2.27 | ||
| Archiving add-on | £6.99 | £3.99 |
Can this change be prevented/avoided?
Unfortunately no, this is a hard deadline due to the ceasing of this service by Microsoft in October 2025.