Microsoft plans to retire the legacy Exchange Web Services (EWS) for Exchange Online / Office365 by October 2026. To ensure that email processing continues to run smoothly, DocuWare customers must also switch to the modern Microsoft Graph API. Find out exactly who is affected and what steps need to be taken.
Content
Who is affected?
The change affects all DocuWare customers who use EWS receiving email services in combination with Connect to Mail, which means in “General Emails” configurations, to automatically archive emails from specific folders in DocuWare. This is equally relevant for DocuWare Cloud and on-premises installations of DocuWare.
If you are affected, you must switch the EWS receiving email services to the Microsoft Graph API to avoid interruptions and data loss. This change will ensure that processes continue to function properly and that the latest Microsoft security standards are met.
What is Microsoft planning?
EWS will be disabled for Exchange Online after October 2026. Microsoft therefore recommends migrating from EWS to Graph API as soon as possible. During the transition period, EWS and Graph API can be used in parallel. However, you must have completed the migration by the deadline at the latest.
For more details, please check Microsoft’s announcement “Retirement of Exchange Web Services in Exchange Online”.
How to migrate?
If you are actively using Connect to Mail / General Email configurations, you should review which of those configurations use the EWS integration and switch to the new email gateway.
The first step is to set up the Graph API. To do this, you need to register a new application in Entra/Azure AD and assign the appropriate Graph API permissions for mail access. Visit the DocuWare Knowledge Center for a comprehensive, step-by-step guide that will help you complete the setup smoothly.
For the next step, you have two options:
- either update your existing EWS configurations directly in the receiving mail services to use the Graph API gateway, or,
- create a brand new mail service configurations using the Graph API.
After configuring the mail service with the Graph API gateway, simply reconnect it to the relevant Connect to Mail configurations that previously used EWS. For optimal security and clarity, we recommend disabling or deleting your old EWS connections once the transition is complete.
FAQs
Do I need to migrate now?
No, but by October 2026 at the latest. You should start planning your migration early to avoid disruption.
Do I need to remove old EWS permissions?
It is recommended to clean up unnecessary permissions, but both may coexist during the grace period.
Can I edit existing EWS configurations?
Yes, editing is possible, but we recommend creating new Graph API configurations for best results.
Does this affect on-premises Exchange deployments?
No; on-premises EWS support is unchanged.
Do I need additional configuration in DocuWare after Graph setup?
No further steps are needed in DocuWare once the Graph API app and permissions are set.
