Microsoft plans to disable and remove OWA Light, a lightweight Outlook Web Access client for Exchange Server, in an upcoming update expected in August 2026.The decision aims to reduce attack surface and engineering complexity by phasing out the two-decade-old legacy interface.

The Exchange Team stated that retiring OWA Light will simplify ongoing engineering work and allow focus on improving the modern Outlook on the web experience.

Introduced around 2006 as an alternative to OWA Premium, OWA Light offered a simplified web interface for systems with older browsers or limited bandwidth.

Despite its historical significance, Microsoft deprecated OWA Light in August 2024 and confirmed its removal from Exchange Server (on-premises) in the August 2026 update.

Users will no longer be able to access or be redirected to OWA Light after this change, with the company urging adoption of the modern Outlook on the web experience.

Critics have debated the move, with some arguing that legacy interfaces remain useful for specific use cases, while others support the shift to more secure and advanced solutions.The update reflects Microsoft's broader strategy to modernize its services and reduce reliance on outdated technologies.