Microsoft to End Support for Public Folder Migration Tools from Legacy Exchange Versions to Exchange Online by October 2025

On October 1, 2025, Microsoft will cease support for migration tools for public folders from Exchange 2010 and earlier versions to Exchange Online. Customers utilizing outdated versions of Exchange will no longer be able to transfer their data to the cloud service unless they upgrade to more current versions of the platform.

Microsoft believes that ending support for these older versions will reduce reliance on them and enhance the overall reliability of its services in the long term. The company advises clients using Exchange 2010 or earlier to complete the migration of their public folders to Exchange Online before the October 1 deadline.

After this date, clients will first need to upgrade their local servers to at least Exchange 2013, although moving to Exchange 2016 or 2019 is recommended. Another option is to consider the new subscription model Exchange Server SE, which comes with a new lifecycle and no end-of-support date as long as regular updates are maintained.

Previously, it was reported that there was a bug in Exchange Online causing spam protection systems to mistakenly quarantine emails from certain users. A similar issue was addressed by the company in August 2024.

In March, the company encountered a failure that prevented Outlook on the web users from accessing their Exchange Online mailboxes, along with an error that caused delays and interruptions in sending or receiving emails. Such issues have occurred multiple times since the fall of 2024.