MC1092458 – (Updated) Microsoft Exchange Online: New Message Trace will be GA; legacy Message Trace will retire

Product:

Exchange, Microsoft 365 admin center, Microsoft Graph

Platform:

Developer, Online, Web, World tenant

Status:

Launched

Change type:

Admin impact, New feature, Retirement, Updated message, User impact

Links:

495489

Details:

Summary:
The new Message Trace in Exchange Online is generally available, replacing legacy cmdlets and UI starting September 1, 2025. The legacy tools will be supported in parallel for months, with full deprecation by March 18, 2026. Admins should update scripts and begin using the new experience.

Details:
Updated December 19, 2025: The tentative timeline for Public Preview of the new Message Trace support on Graph API has been delayed from December 2025 to now January 2026.
This does not impact the deprecation timeline for the legacy Message Trace cmdlets. The legacy Message Trace cmdlets (Get-MessageTrace, Get-MessageTraceDetail) were deprecated starting back in September 1st 2025.
We are excited to announce the General Availability of the new Message Trace in the Microsoft Exchange admin center (EAC) in Microsoft Exchange Online. This new experience, previously in Public Preview, offers improved performance, modern design, and enhanced feature parity. Admins can access it via Exchange admin center > Mail flow > Message Trace.
The GA release is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 495489.
[When this will happen:]
Retirement of legacy Message Trace begins September 1, 2025.
General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out mid-June and expect to complete by late July.

Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:
General Availability, Preview

Created:
2025-06-12

updated:
2025-12-20

Public Preview Start Date

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Task Type

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Docu to Check

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MS How does it affect me

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MS Preperations

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linked item details

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summary for non-techies**

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Direct effects for Operations**

Deprecation of Legacy Message Trace
Admins will lose access to legacy Message Trace cmdlets and UI, leading to potential disruptions in message tracking and reporting capabilities.
   - roles: Exchange Administrators, IT Support Staff
   - references: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/exchange/announcing-general-availability-ga-of-the-new-message-trace-in-exchange-online/4420243

Increased Training Needs
Users may require additional training to adapt to the new Message Trace interface and functionalities, impacting productivity during the transition period.
   - roles: Exchange Administrators, End Users
   - references: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/exchange/announcing-general-availability-ga-of-the-new-message-trace-in-exchange-online/4420243

Script Failures
Existing automation scripts using legacy cmdlets will fail, causing interruptions in automated reporting and monitoring processes.
   - roles: Exchange Administrators, DevOps Engineers
   - references: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/exchange/announcing-general-availability-ga-of-the-new-message-trace-in-exchange-online/4420243

Data Migration Issues
If organizations rely on Reporting Web Service for Message Trace data, failure to migrate to new cmdlets may result in data loss or reporting gaps.
   - roles: Exchange Administrators, Data Analysts
   - references: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/exchange/announcing-general-availability-ga-of-the-new-message-trace-in-exchange-online/4420243

User Experience Disruption
Users accustomed to the legacy interface may experience confusion and frustration with the new Message Trace UI, affecting their workflow.
   - roles: End Users, IT Support Staff
   - references: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/exchange/announcing-general-availability-ga-of-the-new-message-trace-in-exchange-online/4420243

Configutation Options**

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Potentional Risks**

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IT Security**

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explanation for non-techies**

Microsoft is updating the way email tracking works in Exchange Online, similar to how a city might upgrade its public transportation system. Imagine the old system as a network of buses that have been running for years. These buses (or tools) are reliable but might not be the fastest or most efficient. Now, Microsoft is introducing a new fleet of high-speed trains (the new Message Trace) that can carry more passengers (data) faster and with more comfort (features).

Starting September 1, 2025, the old buses (legacy Message Trace tools) will start to be phased out, but they will still run alongside the new trains for a while to help everyone transition smoothly. By March 18, 2026, the old buses will be completely retired, and only the new trains will be in service.

For those managing these changes, it's like preparing your team for a new commute. You’ll need to familiarize yourself with the new train schedules and routes (the new Message Trace features and cmdlets) and update any travel plans (scripts and automations) that relied on the old buses. This ensures that your daily operations continue without a hitch.

The new system promises better performance and additional features, such as the ability to look back at 90 days of email history, much like how the new trains might offer faster travel times and more frequent service. You can start using the new trains now, and it's recommended to update any old travel plans by August 31, 2025, to ensure a seamless transition.

If you have feedback about the new system, you can share it directly through the Exchange admin center, much like how passengers might provide feedback on their new commute experience. This helps Microsoft make further improvements to the service.

Overall, this change is about moving to a more modern, efficient way of handling email tracking, ensuring that your organization can keep up with the pace of communication needs.