If you are still using Microsoft Outlook 2010 or older, then read on. You will have received a notification that you will no longer be supported by Microsoft 365 or Office 365 services. But what does this notification mean, and what can you do to protect your systems?
Last August it was announced that Outlook 2010 would be ‘switched off’ in November 2021. The news gave commercial customers just two months to upgrade and users of Outlook 2013 Service Pack 1 and later able to connect to Microsoft 365 services.
Microsoft announced that Outlook 2007 and Outlook 2010 were incompatible with the changes to services. This included an end to support for Basic Authentication. Basic Authentication is essentially the long-standard username + password combination.
In the past 18 months, Microsoft dropped support for older versions of Office, leaving users unable to connect to its online services. This is set to continue with newer versions being released and support for older versions being switched off. For any users who haven’t upgraded and then encounter performance or reliability issues, this could be a real headache.
As a resolution, Microsoft has recommended that commercial customers should switch to the subscription model of Office 365 or Microsoft 365. This provides always-up-to-date client software.
If you need to make the switch or are concerned you won’t have access any support, Smart can help. We offer guidance throughout any upgrade of Office and Outlook or move to Office 365 or Microsoft 365. This ensures all existing work is compatible with new versions, and that you’re up to date with any new tools.
Call 01242 580654 or drop us an email helpdesk@smart.uk.com
