check before: 2025-04-01
Product:
Exchange
Platform:
Online, World tenant
Status:
Change type:
Feature update, Admin impact
Links:
Details:
Summary:
The behavior of the EWSEnabled switch in Exchange Online is changing. Starting April 1, 2025, EWS will only be allowed if both the organization-level and user-level EWSEnabled flags are true. This change aims to improve policy enforcement consistency. Check the blog for more details: [The way to control EWS usage in Exchange Online is changing](https://aka.ms/EWSEnabledChange).
Details:
We are making a change to the behavior of the EWSEnabled tenant-wide switch in Exchange Online.
[When this will happen:]
This change will rollout worldwide, starting April 1, 2025
Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:
Created:
2025-02-25
updated:
2025-02-25
Task Type
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Docu to Check
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MS How does it affect me
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MS Urgency
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MS workload name
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summary for non-techies**
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Direct effects for Operations**
EWS Access Restriction
Users may lose access to EWS if their user-level flag is not set to true, leading to disruptions in their workflows that rely on EWS functionality.
- roles: Exchange Administrators, End Users
- references: https://aka.ms/EWSEnabledChange
Policy Enforcement Challenges
Inconsistent policy enforcement may occur if administrators do not update user-level settings, leading to confusion and potential security risks.
- roles: IT Security Officers, Exchange Administrators
- references: https://aka.ms/EWSEnabledChange
User Experience Degradation
End users may experience a sudden inability to use applications that depend on EWS, resulting in frustration and decreased productivity.
- roles: End Users, Support Staff
- references: https://aka.ms/EWSEnabledChange
Increased Support Requests
The change may lead to an increase in support requests from users who are unaware of the new EWS access requirements, straining IT support resources.
- roles: Support Staff, IT Helpdesk
- references: https://aka.ms/EWSEnabledChange
Training and Communication Needs
There will be a need for additional training and communication to ensure users and administrators understand the new EWS access rules, which may not be adequately addressed without preparation.
- roles: Training Coordinators, Exchange Administrators
- references: https://aka.ms/EWSEnabledChange
Configutation Options**
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Opportunities**
Enhanced Policy Enforcement
With the new behavior of the EWSEnabled switch, organizations can achieve more consistent policy enforcement across all users. This will reduce the complexity and confusion that arises from having user-level settings override organization-level settings, ultimately leading to a more secure and compliant environment.
- next-steps: Conduct an audit of current EWS settings at both the organization and user levels to identify discrepancies. Develop a communication plan to inform users about the upcoming changes and ensure compliance with the new policy.
- roles: IT Administrators, Compliance Officers, Security Officers
- references: https://aka.ms/EWSEnabledChange
User Experience Improvement
The change can lead to a more predictable user experience as users will only have access to EWS when both their user-level and organization-level settings allow it. This can minimize unexpected disruptions for users who rely on EWS for their workflows.
- next-steps: Gather feedback from users on their current experiences with EWS. Based on the feedback, provide training or resources to help users adjust to the new policy and understand how it impacts their access to EWS.
- roles: End Users, IT Support Staff, Training Coordinators
- references: https://aka.ms/EWSEnabledChange
Operational Efficiency
By streamlining the EWS access control, IT administrators can reduce the time spent managing exceptions and troubleshooting access issues. This allows for better resource allocation and focus on strategic IT initiatives rather than reactive support.
- next-steps: Analyze the current support tickets related to EWS access issues to quantify the time spent on these problems. Use this data to justify reallocating resources towards proactive IT projects that can enhance overall service delivery.
- roles: IT Administrators, Help Desk Staff, Operations Managers
- references: https://aka.ms/EWSEnabledChange
Potentional Risks**
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IT Security**
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explanation for non-techies**
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** AI generated content. This information must be reviewed before use.
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Last updated 3 weeks ago
