Overview

Many people are sill using older versions of Microsoft Outlook that they may not realize are no longer supported by Microsoft, and therefore are unable to connect to Microsoft 365 services including Exchange Online.

As support is dropped for older versions of Outlook, you may begin to encounter issues.

Unfortunately, if it’s unsupported by the original manufacturer then Conetix is unable to provide technical assistance for the product.

A list of the currently supported versions of Outlook (as of November 1, 2021) are as follows;

  • Outlook 365 – (Minimum Version 1706 or newer)
  • Outlook 2021 – (Supported until October 2026)
  • Outlook 2019 – (Supported until October 2023)
  • Outlook 2016 (Windows only – Minimum Version 16.0.4600.1000 or newer) – (Supported until October 2023)

For the time being, Outlook 2013 (with Service Pack 1 – Version 15.0.4971.1000 or newer) can theoretically still connect to Microsoft 365 services, however it is not technically supported by Microsoft and therefore not supported by Conetix.

From November 1, 2021 onwards, Microsoft has blocked access to Microsoft 365 services from versions of Outlook not listed above.
If you are still using an unsupported version of Outlook, you will not be able to access your emails hosted within Microsoft 365.

Using an outdated version of Outlook is not supported by Microsoft nor Conetix, and as such Conetix cannot provide technical assistance for using such applications.

To ensure you are running the latest and most supported version of Outlook, Conetix recommends using the Microsoft 365 software suite.

If you already have your emails hosted with Microsoft 365 through Conetix, you can upgrade to a Business Standard license that includes the full Office 365 software suite;
https://conetix.com.au/microsoft-365-business-plans/

References

Microsoft’s Statement regarding Office versions that support connectivity to Microsoft 365 services: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/deployoffice/endofsupport/microsoft-365-services-connectivity

Microsoft’s Post listing specific versions of Office software that can still connect to 365 accounts:
https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/microsoft-365-blog/new-minimum-outlook-for-windows-version-requirements-for/ba-p/2684142

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