Users connecting to Exchange 2007 mailboxes should not upgrade to Office 2016 as you cannot connect Outlook 2016 to Exchange 2007 using Exchange services. If you only need email, you can use IMAP, provided IMAP support is enabled on the server.
Users who upgrade may see the following error message (assuming the account was not removed from the profile on first run):
The resource that you are trying to use is located on an unsupported version of Microsoft Exchange.
Historically, Outlook is supported on three versions of Exchange server. In the case of Outlook 2016, those three versions are Exchange 2016, 2013 and 2010. All Exchange servers in the network need to be on Exchange 2010 or newer.
The short term fix: you’ll need to re-install Office 2013 (or your previous version of Office) if you want to connect using Exchange services and access everything in your mailbox. If you only need to access email, use IMAP.
The long term fix: Exchange 2007 needs to be migrated to Exchange 2013 or Exchange 2016 (or Office 365) if you want to continue to use Outlook 2016.
Tip: If you need to view a calendar stored in an Exchange 2007 mailbox, set the account up in the Windows Mail app and configure it to sync only the calendar. (The calendar app uses Exchange Active Sync.)
Businesses using Group Policy can block the automatic updates using the updated Office 2013 group policy template. Look for the option to block updates under Computer Configuration\​Administrative Templates\​Microsoft Office 2013 (Machine)\​Updates.
Double click on Enable Automatic Upgrade and choose Disabled, then click Apply and close the dialog. If Outlook is open, close and restart it.
Anyone can block the updates by setting the following registry key (create the keys if they are missing):
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\​SOFTWARE\​Policies\​Microsoft\​office\​15.0\​common\​officeupdate
DWORD: enableautomaticupgrade
Value: 0
You'll need to close and restart Outlook for values under the policy key to apply.
Users who were auto-upgraded to Office 2016 from Office 365 Personal, Home, or University and need to revert back to Outlook 2013 will need to contact Microsoft support by selecting Contact Answer Desk on the Microsoft support page.
Business subscribers should have plenty of time to block the upgrade using the registry key, if not, see Obtaining older versions of Office for the steps necessary to revert to a previous version of Office.
We were on Exchange 2007 and installed O365 2013 C2R initially. We moved to Exchange 2016. We want to upgrade all computers to O365 2016, we have over 200 computers with 2016 on them. When trying to upgrade from 2013 to 2016 we're getting the error on some computers "Stop, you should wait to install Office 2016. You won’t be able to receive mail from a current mailbox. Outlook 2016 is not compatible with Exchange 2007". We do not have an Exchange server 2007 any more. I need to be able to install these silently with SCCM. What is causing this?
Just purchased a new computer with Office 2016 preinstalled but our server is running Exchange 2007. I have Outlook 2007 discs and licenses. What options do I have without upgrading the server?
Uninstall Office 2016 and install Office 2007. If you only have outlook 2007, not the full suite, leave office 2016 installed and install 2007. You may need to repair office 2016 - but make sure to delete all shortcuts to outlook 2016. You don't want to accidentally use it.
Thanks, I'll give that a try sometime this week and let you know how it went.
Thank you Diane for your most knowledgeable and resourceful insight into all things Microsoft. I cant begin to tell you how many times your articles have helped me and my customers. I truly appreciate all of your hard work and dedication to providing updated, precise information and steps on how to resolve so many issues related to the numerous products and services. Thanks again!
So I had this situation on a new computer, opened Outlook 2016 before the milbox was moved from Exchagne 2007 to 2013. But even after moving this user to Exchange 2013, I still get this error opening Outlook 2016. Any fix?
Is the Exchange 2007 server still on the network? Is it a front end server or hosting public folders?
Hi
This method will block auto upgrade for all app. How to block only outlook,
Unfortunately, you can't upgrade part of office, it's all or nothing. Sorry.
Good article thanks for the info. Just wanted to add you can have multiple versions of Office on a computer just one version of Outlook. I just modified my Office 2016 install and unselected Outlook. I have re-installed Outlook 2013 and it's happy days again. You might only be able to do a custom install using the professional version of Office though. The users ost file remained so I didn't even have to reconfigure anything. Lot cheaper than upgrading our Exchange server and purchasing 100s of CALs again. Cheers, Lon
Only volume licenses can uninstall outlook - anyone using a click to run versions are stuck with the apps that are included with the office suite (and this is pretty much everyone). The business/professional version of the click to run suite can be customized using OCT, by the admin... but because you can't install mixed versions of click to run, this won't do much for people wanting to mix the suites.