#ExchangeOnline – Microsoft Cloud Quick Fix

Transfer Exchange State of Authority to the Exchange Online!!!

Managing remote Exchange Online hosted mailboxes post migration has been a pain for some time. Some attributes are managed in the cloud, others on premises, and to do it right you needed to keep an Exchange Server around… Well Microsoft has a new feature which allows admins to manage the Exchange properties of directory-synchronized users with remote mailboxes directly from the cloud and THIS jaw dropper is today’s #MicrosoftCloudQuickFix !!!

A new capability in preview for Exchange Online allows administrators to manage Exchange attributes for directory-synchronized users with mailboxes hosted in Exchange Online. With the update, the Source of Authority (SOA) for Exchange-specific attributes can be transferred to the cloud, while the SOA for identity-related attributes remains under the control of Windows Active Directory.

After moving the SOA for Exchange-specific attributes to Exchange Online / Entra ID, these attributes can be managed using EXO PowerShell, the Microsoft 365 Admin Centre, or the Exchange Admin Centre with future support for write-back support of designated attributes via Entra Cloud Sync.

Microsoft is providing this feature in two phases:

Phase 1 (Preview): allows admins to enable cloud management of Exchange attributes per mailbox by setting IsExchangeCloudManaged to true. Mailboxes can be reverted to on-premises management by resetting IsExchangeCloudManaged to false.

Phase 2: will include write-back support for specified attributes and Entra Cloud Sync integration. During this phase, updates to key Exchange properties made in Entra ID will be automatically synchronized with the on-premises Windows Active Directory. This process keeps the on-premises AD current; for example, changes to a proxy address in Exchange Online will be updated in Active Directory. To access write-back functionality, customers must implement Entra Cloud Sync.

The new cloud-managed mailbox capability allows organizations that use on-premises Windows Active Directory for identity to manage their Exchange Online mailbox attributes in the cloud. As a result, it is no longer necessary to maintain an Exchange server or management tools on-premises for routine Exchange administration tasks!

For more information see:

#MicrosoftCloudQuickFix #Microsoft365 #MicrosoftCloudSecurity #MicrosoftEntra #MicrosoftEntraID #WindowsActiveDirectory #ActiveDirectory #SecurityGroups #IdentityAccessManagement #IdentityGovernance #ExchangeOnline #ExchangeServer

Exchange 2016 / 2019 Extended Security Update program

Working your way thru an Exchange SE Migration and need a bit more time? This week marks t-minus 2 months until the end-of-support for Microsoft Exchange Server 2016 / 2019. After October 14, 2025, Microsoft will no longer provide technical support, bug fixes, or security update unless… You request to join the Exchange 2016 / 2019 Extended Security Update program. This is today’s #MicrosoftCloudQuickFix !

Exchange Server SE is the next release of Microsoft Exchange Server and is now available download. The licensing model for Exchange Server SR requires subscription licenses for all users and devices that access Exchange Server SE on top of required Server licenses and CALs. Microsoft will continue to provide a free Hybrid server license and key via the Hybrid Configuration Wizard.

Now of course on October 15, 2025 your Exchange 2016 and Exchange 2019 servers will continue to work but it is recommended you begin to prepare now if you will require more time to perform your upgrade or migrations.

Beginning on August 1, 2025, customers with an Microsoft Agreement can contact their Microsoft account rep to inquire and purchase a 6 month Extended Security Update (ESU) for their Exchange 2016 / 2019 servers. Your Microsoft account rep will have information related to per server cost and additional details on how to purchase and receive ESU updates.

Notes about the Expended Security Updates:

ESU’s are priced per Exchange Server
Exchange 2016 and Exchange 2019 will still go end-of-support on October 14, 2025, and you will not be able to open support cases for them
This ESU is a way for customers who might not be able to finalize their migrations to Exchange SE before October 14, 2025, to receive Critical and Important updates
Microsoft isn’t committing to actually releasing any SUs during the ESU period. Microsoft will confirm with ESU participants each Patch Tuesday whether an Exchange SU will be provided or not
ESU’s will be valid for 6 months only to April 14, 2026). There will be no extension of ESU’s past April 2026.

See for more information see:

#MicrosoftCloudQuickFix #Microsoft365 #MicrosoftExchange #ExchangeOnline

Transfer an AD Group Source of Authority to the Entra ID!!!

Still using on premises Security Groups to manage access to apps? Do you have old Distribution Lists from a legacy Exchange environment and cringing recreating them in Exchange Online? Or worst you still have the dreaded Mail-enable Security Groups kicking around? Well Microsoft has finally come up with a solution to transfer these to Entra ID and THIS game changer is today’s ‘Bonus Edition’ #MicrosoftCloudQuickFix !!!

Contained within the July 31, 2025 Microsoft Entra Connect Update 2.5.76.0 is the listing for the added Group Source of Authority conversation feature (Public Preview) which will allow on a per Active Directory Group basis an administrator to transfer the Group Source of Authority from Windows Active Directory to Microsoft Entra ID. The per group basis allows for a nicely phased approach for the transfer!

You will need to make sure you upgrade your production and staging Microsoft Entra Connect servers in order to utilize this new capability which was also announced this week during the Microsoft Entra Suite Summer Camp

Note: For Entra ID Cloud Sync you must be at minimum version 1.1.1370.0

Once you move the Active Directory Group Source of Authority to Entra ID you gain the ability to use the advanced modern identity governance capabilities such as Access Reviews, Entitlement Management, Group Expiration and Naming Policies, and Dynamic Group membership assignment all in that single Entra ID pane. You can then use Group Writeback if the group is needed to govern any on premises applications / resources. If need be you can rollback the Group Source of Authority from Entra ID back to Active Directory!

See what I mean about THIS is a game changer!

You can watch the demo from #Microsoft here:

This new capability is in Public Preview and rolling out worldwide in August 2025 and is included in Entra ID Free and Basic (and above) licensing however to take advantage of Access Reviews and Entitlement Management capabilities an Entra ID P2 license is needed.

I am certain I will have more to discuss about this new capability so stay tuned!

For more information see:

Six months until Exchange Server 2016 / 2019 End of Support

Do you have old on-premises Exchange servers kicking around? Old Hybrid Exchange servers left over from a previous Exchange Online Migration or an anonymous SMTP relay? Last week marked t-minus 6 months until the end of support for Microsoft Exchange Server 2016 / 2019. After October 14, 2025, Microsoft will no longer provide technical support, bug fixes, or security updates. What are your options? This is today’s #MicrosoftCloudQuickFix !

Of course, on October 15, 2025, your Exchange 2016 and Exchange 2019 will continue to work but it is recommended you begin to prepare now.

We recommended that you either fully migrate to Exchange Online as moving to Microsoft Cloud Services ensures continuous support, access to advanced features, and security advancements or (and if you haven’t done this by now there is likely good reason) upgrade your on-premises Exchange Servers to Exchange Server Subscription Edition (SE) to be released in July 2025 and offers a direct in-place upgrade from Exchange Server 2019 CU 15 released in February 2025.

If you are still running Exchange Server 2016 you should perform a side-by-side ‘legacy upgrade’ to Exchange Server 2019 CU 15 now and then perform the in-place upgrade to Exchange Server SE once released. The good news is Exchange Server 2019 CU15 is fully supported on Windows Server 2025!

Exchange Server SE is the next release of Microsoft Exchange Server and will be available for download in July 2025. The licensing model for Exchange Server SR requires subscription licenses for all users and devices that access Exchange Server SE on top of required Server licenses and CALs. Microsoft will continue to provide a free Hybrid server license and key via the Hybrid Configuration Wizard.

See for more information see:

Now that you know your options, it’s time to start planning your transition.

#MicrosoftCloudQuickFix #Microsoft365 #MicrosoftExchange #ExchangeOnline

Large audience warnings in Microsoft Outlook App

Sending an email to a large audience can be a challenge. We have all seen mistakes made in content, wording, tone, or worse when the sender is clearly on-the-go and sent the email without considering audience. Soon the Microsoft Outlook App will warn you when sending to more than 25 recipients. That is today’s #MicrosoftCloudQuickFix !

Users will soon receive a warning message in the MailTips info bar above the address line in the Microsoft Outlook app if they are about to email a large number of recipients. The default large audience value is set to 25 recipients and can be adjusted by an administrator. Further details are provided when the warning is selected and adjustments can then be made to the recipient list.

Screen shot of new large audience warning message in the Outlook app

Screen shot of new large audience warning message details in the Outlook app

It is recommended to notify users of this change and update training documentation. Although no administrator action is needed, you may wish to adjust the default large audience size warning value of 25 recipients to align with your company’s specific requirements.

For more information see:

This new feature is now in General Availability and will begin rollout worldwide in mid-April 2025 with an expected completion by mid-May 2025.

#MicrosoftCloudQuickFix #Microsoft365 #ExchangeOnline #MicrosoftOutlookApp

Bulk Import of saved email .eml Files

Do you have a bunch of old emails saved in a folder kicking around? Inherit a mess from a poor records management process? Working thru an M&A with a company caught in the dark ages? Today’s #MicrosoftCloudQuickFix may help you sort this with the announcement of the Bulk Import of .eml files in the new Microsoft Outlook for Windows!

Users will soon have the ability to bulk import their saved .eml files into the new Microsoft Outlook for Windows. This process will streamline the importing of email files and eliminate the need for administrator involvement.

To bulk import .eml files:

Go to Settings > General > Import
Select Start import
Select the folder that contains the .eml files
Select the destination account and folder
Select Import

Screenshots of Outlook for Windows .eml import

For more on this see:

Bulk import .eml files in new Outlook – Microsoft Support

This new feature will be enabled by default and is already in General Availability and will begin rollout worldwide in mid-March 2025 with an expected completion by late March 2025.

Yet another helpful feature exclusively found in the new Microsoft Outlook for Windows!

#MicrosoftCloudQuickFix #Microsoft365 #ExchangeOnline #NewOutlookforWindows

Message recall in the Outlook App

Ever sent an email on-the-go and wish you hadn’t? Was there something missing in it? Was it sent to the wrong person? Did you forget to add some important information and now feel foolish? Well the Message recall is coming to the Outlook App for iOS and Android and that is today’s #MicrosoftCloudQuickFix !

In addition to the Message Recall feature available in Outlook for Windows, Mac, and the web, Microsoft has now extended this feature to the Outlook App for iOS and Android per Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 471444.

If you sent an email by mistake, go to the Sent folder, open the email, click the ellipsis menu ( … or ⋮ ), and select Recall!

*Screenshots of Outlook App Recall steps*

This new feature is already in General Availability and will begin rollout worldwide in early March 2025 with an expected completion by late March 2025.

#MicrosoftCloudQuickFix #Microsoft365 #ExchangeOnline #MessageRecall

Set ‘Out of Office’ from Teams Mobile App

You can soon set up your ‘Out of Office’ from within the Teams Mobile App itself on iOS and Android. That is today’s #MicrosoftCloudQuickFix !!!

Previously you could only set your ‘Out of Office’ using the Teams Desktop / Web client or switch over to the Outlook Mobile App. With this capability users can now make this change on the go within the Teams Mobile App itself with configuration found under the same menu to set your availability status!

Screenshots of Teams Mobile Out-of-Office configuration

This is available in both the iOS and Android version of the Teams Mobile App. As always make sure your regularly updating your mobile app to have the latest version to get access!

This capability is already being deployed worldwide with an expected completion by late October 2023.

#MicrosoftCloudQuickFix #Microsoft365 #MicrosoftTeams #ExchangeOnline

Malicious Intra-Organizational Emails are now protected by default

Today’s #MicrosoftQuickFix is that Microsoft has enabled in Microsoft Defender for Office 365 intra-organizational email protection by default for high-confidence phishing messages containing malicious or spam-based URLs!

This new feature in the Windows Defender for Office 365 Anti-spam policy controls whether spam filtering and the corresponding selected action for the spam verdict is applied to internal messages (email sent between users in your Exchange Online organization).

Screen shot of Anti-spam policy settings

The deployment of this feature is complete for intra-organizational messages with the default value of High confidence phishing messages selected which will quarantine the message. This feature is available in all Microsoft Tenants worldwide!

If you don’t want to utilize this feature on intra-organizational messages it can be disabled by modifying the Anti-spam Policy setting for ‘Intra-Organizational messages to take action on’ to none.

You can also modify the Anti-spam Policy setting to apply to other spam filter verdicts.

For more information about this see:

Configure anti-spam policies in EOP | Microsoft Learn

#Microsoft #Microsoft365 #MicrosoftDefender #ExchangeOnline #MicrosoftCloudSecurity #MicrosoftCloudQuickFix

Outlook to help with scheduling meetings across time zones

This one is personally topical – Microsoft is about to rollout improvements to meeting scheduling in Outlook for users collaborating across multiple time zones and that is today’s #MicrosoftCloudQuickFix !

Coordinating the scheduling of meetings across different time zones can be a challenge. Figuring out which attendee is in which time zone, east coast end of day, west coast start time, and what about if some attendees are located in between! This can make for a scheduling nightmare.

With this new feature when scheduling a meeting with attendees from different time zones a Tool Tip will be displayed to the organizer and the Scheduling Assistant will provide time zone information for each attendee. Organizers can quickly identify suitable meeting times that work for everyone!

This feature is currently only available thru Outlook on the Web. Deployment has begun and is to be completed by late October 2023 and will be available in all Microsoft Tenants worldwide!

For more information see Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 170783

#MicrosoftCloudQuickFix #Microsoft365 #ExchangeOnline #MicrosoftOutlook