09/28/2025 – DNS Texas is deploying updated email servers. It has been over 10 years since the email platform has seen a major upgrade and we are being forced in to upgrading for security and compatibility issues. We are in the process of introducing the new platform into the existing infrastructure and will begin migrating mailboxes once it’s been tested and confirmed working well. We will notify you of when your mailbox(es) are scheduled for move. You should not need to reconfigure anything once the move has completed.
WHAT TO EXPECT
-> There is a possibility of intermittent email issues during the period 09/27/2025 – 10/05/2025
-> Older Outlook Clients (Including Office 2007, Office 2010) will no longer be able to connect to email servers. You will need to use webmail until we can get your client software updated. You will need to [open a support ticket] to let us know if you are affected by this, as we do not have a way of knowing what version of Outlook you are using!
-> Webmail access will change in layout/format once your mailbox moves to the new system.
-> Mobile devices (phones/tablets) should not be greatly affected by this and should continue to work.
Why is this happening? Microsoft has end of lifed the following products:
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- Workstation O/S – Windows 7 (Jan 2020), Windows 8 (Jan 2016), Windows 10 22H2 (Oct 2025), Windows 11 24H2 (Coming Later, Oct 2026)
- Office Platforms – Office 2003, 2007 (Oct 2017), 2010 (Oct 2020), 2013 (Apr 2023), 2016 (Oct 2025), 2019 (Oct 2025), 2021 (Coming Later, Oct 2026), 2024 (Coming Later, Oct 2029)
- Server O/S – Windows Server 2008R2 (Jan 2020), Windows Server 2012 (Jan 2020), Windows Server 2012R2 (Jan 2020), Windows Server 2016 (Oct 2025), Windows Server 2022 (Coming Later, Oct 2026), Windows Server 2025 (Coming Later, Oct 2029)
- Workstation O/S – Windows 7 (Jan 2020), Windows 8 (Jan 2016), Windows 10 22H2 (Oct 2025), Windows 11 24H2 (Coming Later, Oct 2026)
As you can see, a significant amount of users will be affected by the end of life on both O/S and Office Platforms.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
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- If you are running Windows 7, Windows 8 – you are in serious need of upgrade. It’s very likely this hardware will NOT run Windows 11, so you’ll likely need new hardware.
- If you are on Windows 10, security patches will no longer be available after mid-October 2025. Although this will not stop the O/S from working, it should be considered something to upgrade soon. Some computers running Windows 10 will be able to upgrade to Windows 11, some will need new hardware. This is determined by the physical hardware in the machine. Certain hardware specs must be met for Windows 11.
- For server platforms, 2008R2, 2012, 2012R2, 2016 and 2019, you should consider upgrading. The server O/S is more hardware tolerant and most servers will be able to upgrade to Server 2022 or Server 2025. Server 2022 is covered in support/patches through October 2026.
- On Office Platforms, users running 2003, 2007, 2010 are going to be UNABLE to connect to the new email servers. You must be on at a minimum of Office 2013 and this will only be true for a few more months. Office 2016 and higher are required for users using the Outlook application for email. Webmail is unaffected. If you don’t use Outlook, your Office apps will continue to work, but should be considered for upgrade when possible,
- If you are running Windows 7, Windows 8 – you are in serious need of upgrade. It’s very likely this hardware will NOT run Windows 11, so you’ll likely need new hardware.
If you are DNS Texas customer and need assistance with your Server, Workstation or Office Platforms or can no longer connect to DNS Texas hosted email due to being on an older version of Microsoft Office, please [open a support ticket] and let us know. We are working with customers as fast as possible to resolve any issues and assist with upgrades.
