Microsoft has announced plans to retire its OWA Light client, a lightweight version of the Outlook Web App email client, which has been part of Exchange Server for nearly two decades. The move is expected to take place in an upcoming update to Exchange Server, likely in August 2026.
OWA Light was initially introduced as an alternative to the full Outlook on the web experience, offering a simplified interface that could be accessed with older browsers or systems without Internet Explorer 6 or later installed. However, over time, OWA Light’s feature set has remained limited compared to the standard version, lacking key features such as weekly and monthly calendar views, access to shared mailboxes and calendars, and the ability to import or export messages or contacts.
Microsoft has been gradually deprecating OWA Light since August 2024, warning users that it would eventually be removed. The company has now confirmed that this removal will occur with the upcoming update to Exchange Server, after which users will no longer be able to choose or access the OWA Light experience. Instead, they will be directed to use the modern Outlook on the web experience.
The retirement of OWA Light is largely driven by the changing landscape of web technologies and user behavior. Modern browsers have become more capable and consistent, network conditions have improved for many customers, and security concerns have increased significantly since OWA Light was first introduced. By removing OWA Light, Microsoft aims to simplify ongoing engineering work and focus on improving the full Outlook on the web experience.
For administrators, this change means that they will need to prepare their users for the transition away from OWA Light. To help with this process, Microsoft has provided instructions on how to disable or block OWA Light using Exchange Server’s command-line tools. By taking these steps, admins can ensure a smoother transition and reduce potential disruption to their organization.
As with any significant change to an organization’s IT infrastructure, it’s essential for administrators to communicate the reasons behind this decision and provide guidance to users on what to expect. This will help minimize any confusion or concerns that may arise from the retirement of OWA Light.
Source: Bleeping Computer — 2026-07-09