💡 Our Technical Review in summary
Microsoft is retiring the Outlook for Windows Usage Report within the Exchange admin center (EAC) to consolidate reporting services into a more modern interface. Starting in mid-April 2026, usage analytics for Outlook for Windows will be moved exclusively to the Microsoft 365 admin center (MAC), which provides a more comprehensive view of app usage across the entire suite.
Impact
- Admin Experience: Administrators will no longer be able to access Outlook usage data via the EAC. All reporting for this metric will be decommissioned in that specific portal.
- Data Availability: Usage data remains available but is relocated to the Microsoft 365 admin center under Reports > Usage > M365 Apps > Usage > Outlook for Windows.
- Timeline: The retirement phase begins in mid-April 2026 and is expected to be fully completed by mid-May 2026.
- End Users: There is zero impact on the functionality or performance of the Outlook for Windows client for end users.
Action Required
- Update Documentation: Review and update any internal IT standard operating procedures (SOPs) or administrative training materials that reference the Exchange admin center for usage reporting.
- Workflow Adjustment: Transition your reporting workflows to the Microsoft 365 admin center (MAC) prior to the April 2026 deadline.
- Permissions Check: Ensure that administrators responsible for usage reporting have the necessary permissions (such as Reports Reader or Global Reader) to access the Reports section in the Microsoft 365 admin center.
Microsoft Official Update
Service: N/A
Category: planForChange
Severity: normal
[Introduction]
To streamline and modernize reporting experiences across Microsoft 365, we are retiring the Outlook for Windows Usage Report in the Exchange admin center (EAC). Admins can continue accessing Outlook usage information in the Microsoft 365 admin center (MAC), which offers a more complete and up‑to‑date reporting experience across Microsoft 365 apps.
[When this will happen]
- Retirement will begin in mid‑April 2026.
- Retirement will complete in mid‑May 2026.
[How this affects your organization]
Who is affected
- Admins who use the Exchange admin center (EAC) to view Outlook for Windows usage data.
What will happen
- The Outlook for Windows Usage Report will be removed from the EAC.
- No replacement Outlook usage reporting will remain in the EAC after this retirement.
- Admins can continue accessing Outlook for Windows usage insights through the Microsoft 365 admin center (MAC): Reports > Usage > M365 Apps > Usage > Outlook for Windows
- MAC provides consolidated usage reporting with charts and tables to help admins understand usage patterns across Outlook and other Microsoft 365 apps.
- No impact to Outlook for Windows functionality for users.
- This report retirement will occur automatically; no opt‑out or admin toggle will be available.
[What you can do to prepare]
- No admin action is required.
- If your organization references the EAC usage report in documentation or internal processes, update those materials before the retirement is complete.
Learn more: Microsoft 365 Reports in the admin center – Microsoft 365 Apps usage | Microsoft 365 | Microsoft Learn
[Compliance considerations]
No compliance considerations identified. Review as appropriate for your organization.
